The Droolhound Dane: How Much Do Great Danes Really Drool?

As any Great Dane owner can attest, life with these gentle giants involves a fair amount of drool. But just how much slobber are we talking about? And what can you do to manage the slime factor? Let‘s dive into the wet and wild world of Great Dane drool.

Quantifying the Quarts: Great Dane Drool Volume

While there‘s no official measurement, the average adult Great Dane can produce up to 1.5 liters (or 6 cups) of saliva per day, according Stanley Coren, professor emeritus in the Psychology Department at the University of British Columbia. In comparison, humans generate about 1-1.5 liters of saliva daily. So relatively speaking, Danes aren‘t terribly drooly – until you factor in where all that drool ends up.

You see, it‘s not just the quantity of drool but how it‘s dispensed that earns Great Danes their "drooly" distinction. With their large loose lips and jowls, Dane drool tends to accumulate and overflow down their chins in long, stringy strands. Combine that with their impressive height and head-shaking habits, and you‘ve got a recipe for drool on the walls, ceiling, and everyone within a five-foot radius.

"In my 30 years of veterinary practice, I‘ve never met a Great Dane that didn‘t drool to some degree. It‘s just a fact of life with these big lovable lugs." – Dr. Wendy Hauser, veterinarian and Great Dane owner

Why So Drooly? Reasons Behind the Ropes of Slobber

So what‘s behind the Great Dane waterworks? According to Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club, there are several factors at play:

• Anatomy: Those big, droopy jowls and loose lips are like built-in drool buckets. "Danes evolved to have large mouths to gulp down big prey back in their hunting days. All that extra skin acts like a reservoir for saliva," explains Dr. Klein.

• Heat regulation: Giant breeds like Great Danes are prone to overheating due to their size. Panting and drooling helps them regulate their body temperature. The more a Dane pants, the more drool you‘ll see.

• Dental issues: Drooling can be a sign of dental pain or gum disease. "Danes are actually somewhat prone to dental problems due to overcrowding of their large teeth in a relatively narrow jaw," notes Dr. Hauser. Regular check-ups and cleanings are a must.

• Nausea: Excessive drooling accompanied by lip-smacking, swallowing, or a hunched posture can be a sign your Dane is feeling queasy. Bloat, or gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), is an especially serious concern for deep-chested breeds like Great Danes. "If your Dane is drooling excessively and showing signs of abdominal discomfort, get them to the vet immediately," urges Dr. Klein.

• Excitement or anxiety: You know that feeling when your mouth waters in anticipation of a delicious meal? Danes get the same way, except their drool has a tendency to overflow. Stress and nerves can also trigger the taps as a sort of self-soothing mechanism.

Dealing with Dane Drool: Mops and Merch

Now that we know the why behind the wetness, what can Dane owners do to deal with the drool? Having a battle plan and the right gear is key, says Lori Heinz, president of Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love, a nationwide Great Dane rescue group:

"Rule number one of living with a Dane is to never wear black. Drool shows up on dark colors like a beacon. Stick to lighter shades and patterns that hide the dribble." – Lori Heinz

Heinz also recommends designing your space with drool in mind. Hard surfaces like tile, wood, or vinyl flooring are infinitely easier to wipe down than carpet. Leather or pleather couches repel drool better than fabric ones. Removable, washable pillow and sofa covers are also a Dane owner‘s best friend.

Strategically-placed drool towels are another must. Heinz suggests keeping a stack of cheap washcloths or bar mop towels on hand to quickly swipe your Dane‘s mouth after eating, drinking, or panting. Teaching your Dane to tolerate a gentle mouth wiping as part of your routine can go a long way in reducing the drool drips.

For the really drooly Danes, a bib or bandana can help contain the slime. Look for moisture-wicking fabrics that dry quickly and won‘t chafe your pup‘s sensitive skin. Some owners even use modified baby bibs with Great Dane-sized proportions.

The Drool-Flinging Dane Zoomies Phenomenon

One of the more amusing (or horrifying, depending on your perspective) Great Dane drool quirks is the "zoomies and fling." Many a Dane owner has watched in slow-motion horror as their pup goes from zero to sixty, racing around the room and shaking their big head with wild abandon. The result is a Jackson Pollock-esque splatter of drool on every available surface.

You have not lived until you‘ve found yourself in the "splash zone" of a Dane zoomie session. Suddenly that head-to-toe wetness takes on a whole new meaning. Thankfully, the zoomies are usually short-lived bursts of energy that don‘t happen too often. And the sheer joy on your Dane‘s face as they gallop and fling is pretty hard to resist, drool and all.

Real Talk: Life with a Slobbery Sweetheart

For all the drool-related challenges, most Dane owners will tell you it‘s a small price to pay for the love of these gentle giants. Sara Moffitt, proud parent to a pair of Danes named Ellie and Waylon, sums it up perfectly:

"Sure, I‘ve got drool rags stashed in every room and my car probably smells like a salivary slip ‘n slide. But when I come home and see those two big goofy faces smiling up at me, dripping jowls and all, I couldn‘t care less about a little slobber. They‘re my world." – Sara Moffitt

At the end of the day, drool is just one of the quirks that makes Great Danes so endearingly unique. It‘s a badge of honor for those lucky enough to be loved by these majestic, messy creatures. So stock up on the towels, invest in some stylish bibs, and embrace the drool. Because life with a Great Dane is always a slobbery, wonderful adventure.

Great Dane Drool By the Numbers

Source: Modern Dog Magazine

Further Reading

• Why Do Great Danes Drool So Much? Tips for Managing
• Drool Management Tips for Giant Breed Dogs
• Bloat (GDV) in Dogs: Know the Signs & Get Emergency Help ASAP