Shar-pei
Shar-peis can get bacterial infections in the folds of their skins like some of the other breeds weve talked about here. Smelly!
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.
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The Basset Hound is known to be one of the smelliest dogs around. However, their charming, calm, and lovable natures help make up for their strong doggy odor. Hounds have coats designed to be weather-resistant, which means they are oily, so water can easily slide off. On top of this, the Basset Hound has droopy jowls and ears that get covered in food and drool and if not washed regularly, can lead to infections, which can smell pretty nasty.
Beagles are pretty adorable, but they also fall into the smelly hound group. Beagles were used primarily to hunt rabbits in packs. Each dog had a particular scent (sort of like a fingerprint) to help differentiate each one. This odor is also referred to as ‘hound odor’ or ‘hound smell.’ The long hound ears are also a factor.
The Bloodhound gives the Basset Hound a run for the money for the title of the stinkiest dog. Like the Basset, Bloodhounds have an oily coat designed to repel water and soil, which gives them the typical musty hound odor. The Bloodhound also has very long, floppy ears and many skin folds and is known for its enormous capacity to drool. Combine all of these factors and you have yourself a rather pungent pet.
The Boxer is known for its doggy odor but not every Boxer is smelly. Their coats also contain natural oils that can contribute to their strong scent even though they do not belong in the hound group. Diet is vital as many Boxer owners report on issues of odorous flatulence.
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The Bulldog has many issues that can contribute to a pongy smell. Where there are skin folds, there’s always the chance of a smelly dog. The Bulldog has lots of excess skin on their face, and apparently, they might have something called a ‘tail pocket.’ Sometimes, a bulldog’s tail can become ingrown, which creates a pocket that you might not even know is there. The accumulation of dirt can produce an odiferous Bulldog, so carefully cleaning around their tail will probably help.
The Bullmastiff is another breed with oily skin that can lead to a stinky dog. They are also known droolers, which we’ve already learned can lead to a rather unpleasant odor. And then there are the extra folds of skin on their faces, which have already been established as a potential culprit. Careful cleaning of their skin folds is one way of tackling this problem.
Chihuahuas are known to have issues with their teeth, which can lead to bad breath. They are prone to gingivitis, excess plaque, and tooth decay, which can all lead to infections and bad breath. They could also encounter some of the usual problems from oily skin and stinky feet or issues with anal glands.
One of the things that make the Cocker Spaniel so adorable is its beautiful, long, and silky ears. However, that’s also one of the key problems that contribute to an unpleasant odor. Those beautiful long ears are a warzone of bacteria, infections, and just generally stinkiness. They could also be prone to a smelly mouth, so lots of cleaning and double-checking these areas should help.
The Golden Retriever is one of the most beloved family pets so putting up with a smelly dog is definitely worth it. Goldens are prone to something called pyoderma, which is a kind of skin infection as well as canine atopic dermatitis, all of which can cause a foul-smelling odor. Speaking to your vet should be the first thing you do if you suspect any skin conditions.
The Great Dane is a giant, lovable dog that is prone to pretty stinky flatulence. You might encounter Great Danes that just have that general, smelly dog odor but when they fart, look out! Great Danes, in general, have sensitive stomachs, so sometimes, a change in diet can provide relief. For everyone.
The Labrador Retriever has a dense, double coat that is water-repellent, which is a significant contributor to the scent known to follow Labs around. The telltale oil is prevalent on Labs, which provides that distinctive Lab smell. Bathing your Lab with a dog shampoo should help, but it can also strip the oils from his coat. Something to keep in mind.
The Lhasa Apso is prone to sebaceous adenitis. The dog’s skin glands are attacked by the immune system and leads to a kind of dandruff and a musty scent. That long, cascading gorgeous coat of fur could contain multiple problems, so regularly checking their ears and skin could help prevent a foul-smelling Lhasa Apso.
The Mastiff is larger than the Bullmastiff, but they share similar looks and similar unpleasant smells. They both have oily coats, are tremendous droolers, and have extra skin on their heads. As already established, all of these conditions can lead to your dog smelling less than fresh.
The Newfoundland is the epitome of the gentle giant, but they bear the perfect trifecta of the causes of foul odors. They drool, they have very thick fur that needs tons of grooming, and they have an oily waterproof coat. If the Newfie isn’t groomed enough, it can cause tangles and mats that will eventually create skin problems followed closely by a smelly dog.
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The Pug has a wrinkled head, that while completely adorable, can trap food, dirt, drool, and sweat, which can lead to infections. Pugs are also known for having feet that smell like corn chips, which means washing their feet is in order but make sure there aren’t any signs of infections. Dogs with pushed-in faces are also more prone to bad breath as there is usually an issue with crowded teeth.
The Saint Bernard is another gentle giant with drool and double coat issues. A slobbering Saint Bernard with a thick, double coat and problems with stinky ears creates a large, smelly dog. Check the ears and stay on top of cleaning up the drool, and perhaps your St. Bernard will smell a little better.
The Chinese Shar-Pei is one big wrinkled dog! All of those skin folds found over its entire body is an obvious problem that can cause a foul-smelling dog. They are very prone to the skin infection pyoderma, like the Golden Retriever, which can also cause the Shar-Pei to smell unpleasant. Ensuring the skin folds are kept dry every time your dog is wet is one way to help combat this problem and avoid this smelly dog breed.
The Spinone Italiano has a gorgeous, luxurious beard that can harbor all kinds of dirt, food, and drool, causing a wee bit of an odor problem. They also have issues with their ears, which can lead to an unpleasant stench, and it is recommended to clean their ears at least once a week.
The Weimaraner is known to enjoy eating and rolling in all kinds of stinky things such as poop, dead animals, and might even romp with a skunk. They might go through the typical smelly dog faze if they need a bath or have an ear infection, but their love of rolling in anything places them firmly in this list of smelly dogs.
While dogs do perspire through their feet, the Yorkshire Terrier will sweat a tiny amount through the hair follicles and, if not bathed, will emit an unpleasant scent. Yorkies are also one of the few dogs that have hair rather than fur, which has the advantage of less shedding, but because the hair grows quite long, it can pick up all kinds of debris.
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Owning a dog means dealing with the good and the bad. While the positives most definitely outweigh the negatives, sometimes the negatives can be rather challenging to live with. Particularly owning a smelly dog. If you’ve been thinking about adding a dog to your family and want to avoid any dogs that are prone to having a strong pongy odor, then do read on. There’s additional information included at the end on how to prevent or at least relieve some of the more potent dog odors.
So, here are 20 dog breeds that make up some of the stinkiest dogs in alphabetical order: