Why does my Dogue De Bordeaux drool & slobber?

You’re here because like me, you’re having to deal with the constant puddles of drool and slobber from your Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff). So why does your Dogue de Bordeaux drool?

It’s certainly quite the spectacle, even funny to a degree. But when you’re living a busy life and feel like you’re constantly behind on cleaning, that bit of extra slobber every time your dog salivates can drive you mad! Not to mention the cost of those extra towels. 

Why do they do it? Is there anything you can do about it? Why is there so much? WHY DID I GET 2 OF THESE DOGS? And how the hell did some slobber end up all the way up on the ceiling! 

When committing to a French Mastiff, you must ensure you don’t have a fear of slobber (it’s coming for you!). Cleaning of the walls is a common occurrence, as is kitchen cupboards, wall skirting. It gets everywhere. 

Rest assured, we’re here to get to the bottom of this and provide you with some helpful tips along the way.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a short nosed breed (brachycephalic). The short nose can cause the breed to be prone to overheating due to its lack of ability to intake oxygen as efficiently as other breeds.

The large facial structure of the Dogue de Bordeaux provides a wrinkly and jowly muzzle which is the perfect recruitment spot for drool and slobber. This may start in late puppy-hood but should really come into full force as your dog ages to around the 18 month mark. 

When does the Dogue de Bordeaux start drooling?

There are multiple stimuli that can trigger drooling, these are: 

Food

The French Mastiff is no different to many other dog breeds when it comes to anticipating food. This goes for its breakfast, dinner or treats such as bones and chews. Be prepared to have your feet soaked as you prepare food, especially if your Dogue de Bordeaux follows you around the kitchen constantly.

Excitement

Ever shout “walkies” and your Dogue de Bordeaux comes bounding through the hallway in the most ungraceful yet charming way? Things like walks drive excitement which can cause your dog to drool. Whilst out and about, new smells, interactions or sexual desire towards a female make make him drool.

Anxiety

The calm and loving giant is actually a fairly sensitive soul. They can be prone to bouts of anxiety if left alone for long hours or are in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territories. Other interactions that are aggressive such as confrontation with other dogs or being yelled at by their humans may also spike anxiety and stress. Naturally, anxiety can also lead some dogs to bite, but you can read more about that in our Dog Bite Statistics guide, which is regularly updated.

The French Mastiff is social, it needs interaction and affection to help stave off anxiety. They’re a great family dog and enjoy the company.

Puppy is teething

Teeth growth can produce a moderate level of drool as your puppy starts to reach adulthood.

Heat

The Dogue de Bordeaux is very prone to overheating and shouldn’t be left outside in the sun for too long or confined in a hot room for hours at a time. The sheer size of this mastiff breed makes it very hard to regulate its own temperature, the shorter nose makes it harder to breathe and heavy panting will soon ensue.

The excessive drooling in this condition may even be a way to cool itself down. Owners should try to keep a cool water source nearby at all times.

Oral/Mouth Disease

Owners should stay on top of the oral and dental health of the French Mastiff. Due to the facial structure, the lips & jowls can pick up a host of bacteria or tartar which can irritate the inner lips and cause excessive drooling.

Upper Respiratory Infections

Excessive drooling can occur due to infection in the upper respiratory system such as the throat, nose or sinuses. If you suspect this to be an issue, you may look out for related symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, eye discharge and a low appetite. From here you can seek appropriate treatment from a qualified vet. 

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is common in many breeds of dog and is something that many grow out of as they leave puppyhood. However, that may not be the case for your French Mastiff. The car may trigger anxiety either due to the unusual sounds and cramped space.

Upset Stomach

Your Dogue de Bordeaux may have eaten something it shouldn’t have. Or it may be suffering from gastric bloating, nausea and diarrhea. This may eventually pass, but the uncomfortable nature of this may cause your dog to drool that bit more, likely due to the stress. If symptoms persist, it’s best to book in to see your local vet.

How to stop your Dogue de Bordeaux from drooling and slobbering?

Good luck… There is no real way to entirely stop it from happening. However, you can take measures to control it.

Stay attuned to its health

As mentioned above, there are multiple areas that you should pay attention to when it comes to your dog’s well-being. Keeping an eye out for infections, disease and general sickness is a bare minimum requirement. 

Responsible owners will also stay in tune with the emotional needs of this large mastiff. As mentioned, don’t let the large physique fool you, the French Mastiff is a sensitive soul. Pay attention to potential anxiety.

Keep your home cool

Go beyond making sure the dog doesn’t just bask in the sun for hours at a time. You need to provide spaces in the house that are cool. If you live in a warmer climate, you should ensure you have air conditioning installed, keeping it at a reasonably cool temperature. We also recommend trying to take your dog for walks when the day is at its coolest. 

Finally, ensure you leave a bowl of fresh, cool water near them.

Invest in dribble bibs

Not only do these look super cool and add even more personality to the breed, but the dribble bib is a great way for collecting the excess puddles that might otherwise land on your floor, walls, etc. These things simply wrap around the neck and hang down the chest. Try to invest in higher quality bibs that wash well and aren’t made of overly synthetic material that may cause skin concerns.

Invest in more absorbent towels

Buy more of them, keep them about the place. The drool-rag can be used to wipe your pooches face when they salivate on things like walks. They’re also great for a good tidy up after dinner. We also recommend keeping an eye on areas your French Mastiff seems to drool the most (likely around its food or bed). Keep towels near its bed and a waterproof mat near its food and water bowl for convenience.