Dogs can smell bad for a lot of different reasons, ranging from anal glands to skin conditions. Bad smells are one thing, and dog smells are another, but the stinkiest dog breeds are something else entirely. No amount of consistent grooming seems to help these smelly dog breeds, and after you've checked their loose skin and floppy ears for skin problems, you might throw your hands up in defeat. Why is there still dog odor? Your sense of smell isn't off, don't worry. Some breeds of dogs have extremely distinct body odor aside from the usual dog smell. So, is your terrible smelling dog on the list?
What makes certain dogs stink more than others? Pugs, Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, and Cocker Spaniels all have one thing in common: yeast. A yeasty smell can form and occur from their long ears or skin folds, which are also prone to infection — Intertrigo is an irritation of the folds of the skin which some breeds are predisposed to.
Like with any animal, regular bathing will keep your dog happier and your nose pleased. It's hard to blame the dog if you're never bathing them! After all, you'd smell pretty bad without a bath. To minimize the smell, try grooming these dogs regularly, on a weekly or at least a monthly basis. Set up regular weekends each month for baths and ear cleaning. If you hate doing it, you could opt to hire a mobile pet groomer or pay your pet sitter extra to do it!
Based on research (and some personal experience), these ten breeds fall into the stinkiest category. With that in mind, we also offer some explanation for their doggy odor.
Stinkiest Dog Breeds
1. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are prone to developing offensive ear odor, especially if they swim regularly. They also have double coats and drool a lot. Need we say more? Too much slobber and lots of drooling can get stinky! If your dog swims regularly, make sure to bathe them just as regularly!
2. Basset Hound
Those long ears tend to smell! The hound dog's face, particularly the wrinkles and around the mouth should always be kept clean, while the skin folds can also create an odor if not bathed regularly. Hound ears can be breeding grounds for yeast infections so cleaning regularly is imperative. Make sure to check your hound's ears for signs of infection.
3. Cocker Spaniel
Cockers are known for having an oily coat that requires frequent bathing to avoid greasy buildup. Ear infections also go hand in hand with this breed. Groom this breed regularly and check his ears for any possible infections.
4. Bulldog
Two things: stinky facial folds and a smelly tail pocket. The paws may stink as well, so there is basically a whole body smell. Both French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs make this list.
5. Shar-pei
Shar-peis can get bacterial infections in the folds of their skins like some of the other breeds we've talked about here. Smelly!
6. Bloodhound
A slick and oily coat produces a very distinct "Bloodhound" odor. You either love this smell or you never get used to it! Of course, the ears on this big dog (like a Bassett Hound, and really all hounds) need to be cleaned regularly.
7. Boxer
Boxers are known for flatulence. As a flat-faced dog, Boxers ingest a lot of air when eating, which makes them gassy, and often do well with slow feeders and puzzle toys. When Boxers are forced to eat slower, they will have less air in their bellies.
8. Yorkshire Terrier
Long hair around the mouth can get messy! That glamorous coat also needs regular baths. Even though these small dogs seem like they wouldn't smell, Yorkie dog owners will tell you differently. This small dog can pack a powerful punch in the smell department!
9. Labrador Retriever
Labs tend to smell "doggy" and since they are regular swimmers. As with any dog who loves to swim, don't forget regular bathing to make them smell fresh! After all, you'd shower after jumping into a lake or mud puddle...right?
10. Pug
Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection and you got it... a stinky yeast smell! They also have deep facial wrinkles that can hold food. Gross!
If your dog is abnormally smelly, they might have certain allergies they need a vet to look at, as that can invoke extreme gassiness. A grain-free diet might be an easy fix for a calmer tummy. Tooth decay may also be to blame for a stinky dog, as a rotten tooth can be painful and have an awful odor so don't rule these medical dental reasons out either.
Is There Such a Thing as Odorless Dogs?
On the flip side, the Bichon Frise is known as an almost odorless dog. They have naturally clean skin, and even though they don't shed, they're not prone to waxy buildup on their skin. Siberian Huskies are also very clean dogs and don't have those smelly skin folds! Still, any dog who isn't bathed regularly and spends time playing, goofing off, and just generally being a dog will be prone to these smells. Outdoor dogs and dogs who spend a lot of time outside will need baths more frequently, but even indoor dogs can get smelly. Bathe your dog regularly and avoid having one of the stinkiest dog breeds.
This post was originally published on March 15, 2018.
