Ask any Newfoundland owner about drool and you’ll get a knowing smile. There’s the “slobber string” swinging from the jowls, the wet patch on your jeans, and the mystery splash marks halfway up the kitchen wall. If you share your home with a Newfie, you already know: drool comes with the package.
So why do these gentle giants slobber so much, and what can you actually do about it?
It’s all in the lips
Newfoundlands have big, loose lips that hang down at the sides of the mouth (the droopy bits are called flews). Every dog makes saliva, but a dog with a tight, neat mouth keeps it in. A Newfie’s loose jowls work more like a little pouch: saliva collects there and, sooner or later, it slides out.
That’s why you’ll see the same thing in other big-jowled breeds like Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, Bloodhounds and Dogues de Bordeaux. It’s the shape of the face, not bad manners.
When the drool gets worse
Most Newfie owners notice the slobber comes in waves. The usual triggers are:
- Food. Just the sound of the treat cupboard can start the waterfall.
- Drinking. A Newfie leaves the water bowl carrying half of it in their jowls.
- Warm weather and exercise. A hot, panting dog drools more.
- Excitement. Visitors at the door, the lead coming out, a car ride.
- Head shakes. The classic: one shake and the drool ends up on the ceiling.
If your dog’s drooling suddenly changes a lot, or comes with other signs like not eating or pawing at the mouth, it’s always worth a chat with your vet.
Living happily with a slobbery Newfie
You can’t stop the drool, but you can catch it before it reaches you, the sofa or the floor.
- Use a drool bib. A bib sits under the chin and catches the drips where they start. Ours have a soft, absorbent front, a waterproof backing so it doesn’t soak through to the fur, and a neck strap to keep it in place.
- Keep a drool towel handy. A quick wipe of the jowls after drinking or eating stops most of the “slobber strings”. Keep one by the water bowl and one in the car.
- Put a mat under the water bowl. It saves your floor from the post-drink drip trail.
- Wipe before the head shake. If you can get to the jowls first, the walls stay clean.
- Have a spare bib. One on the dog, one in the wash. With two or three bibs on the go, there is always a dry one ready.
Choosing a bib for a Newfoundland
Newfies are big dogs with thick ruffs, so size matters. Measure around the neck where the collar sits and check our size guide before you order. Each of our dog bibs is handmade in our workshop in Scotland, and you can add your dog’s name in the thread colour you like.
Browse our Newfoundland bibs and other personalised dog bibs, or read why we embroider every name instead of printing it.
After all, a drooling Newfie is a happy Newfie. You just need the right kit to keep up with them.
