Samoyeds are a stunning breed of canine that is well known for their thick white coats, their social, friendly nature, and their charming, ever-present smile. They are an appealing breed for many dog owners, especially when it comes to those looking for a breed that won’t drool all over their furniture and household. If you are looking for a dog that won’t slobber everywhere, Samoyeds are a great choice.
Do Samoyeds Drool? Samoyeds have a low tendency to drool, this is because they have evolved over the centuries to accommodate the harsh, freezing climate of their ancestors where excessive drooling could lead to unpleasant injuries.
Different breeds of dogs have different tendencies when it comes to how often and how much they drool. Knowing what are typical drooling stimuli for your Samoyed can help you determine what is normal drooling behavior and what could potentially be an alarming sign or symptom when it comes to your Samoyed’s health. To get a better understanding of what is normal and what isn’t, continue reading below.
Do Samoyeds Drool?
Yes, Samoyed’s drool. However, they do not drool a lot as a result of centuries of evolution.
Samoyed’s are a breed of canine that originated in Asia, migrating with their human companions into the Russian tundras where they served as herd dogs. While the Samoyed breed came to live in Siberia, they endured harsh winter conditions that lasted a span of up to nine months.
As a result of the severe cold climate in which they served to herd reindeer, the Samoyed breed developed certain features to help combat the cold climate. One of which is their charming smile. Samoyed’s may look like they are smiling, but that smile plays an important role in how they deal with cold temperatures.
What role does a Samoyed’s smile play? Well, it is not just their double-coated fur that helps protect them from the cold, but their smile too. The upward tilt of their mouth that creates their notorious smile helps to keep them from drooling. This physical characteristic makes it so that they excrete minimal drool which would otherwise turn into icicles in freezing cold weather.
Is Drooling Normal In Dogs?
Although Samoyed’s have a very low tendency to drool, all dogs drool given certain stimuli. A little bit of drool now and then is completely normal and isn’t necessarily cause for concern. If you notice your Samoyed drooling, try to take note of what they are doing to gauge just how normal it is.
For instance, some of the most common stimuli to get your canine companion drooling will be before they eat, during or after exercise, and even the occasional car ride.
Drooling Before Eating
If you notice that your Samoyed is drooling before he eats, or while you are eating- if you happen to give him or her the occasional table scrap- there is no need to worry. The smell or sight of food can, and will, stimulate a buildup of saliva that causes your Samoyed to dribble a little drool.
We’ve all been there. Waiting in your favorite restaurant for your food to come out and the waiter or waitress passing by with plates of delectable smelling food. You may not have actually drooled at the sight of it (or maybe you have), but you have certainly felt that build-up of saliva as you waited not so patiently for yours to come out.
It’s not very different for your Samoyed. That build-up of saliva and drool is actually good for them. The drool that accompanies the sight of food plays an important role for your Samoyed. The saliva not only acts to coat the food your dog is eating so that they can swallow it with more ease but their saliva functions as an antimicrobial and protects your canine against inflammation.
This type of drooling is completely normal and should even be expected around mealtime.
Drooling During Exercise
Drooling during exercise isn’t necessarily cause for concern. Samoyed’s rank relatively high when it comes to how much energy they have. They love to play, run, and engage in activities with their humans.
Like most dogs, a Samoyed will pant from exercising, especially on hot days. As they run and exert lots of energy, they also generate energy, causing their body temperature to slightly increase.
If you have ever been for a jog in cold weather and found yourself having worked up a sweat, then I’m sure you can relate. This bodily reaction happens to be the same for your furry friend. Unlike us, however, they don’t sweat all over their body. Instead, they sweat through the glands in their paws and rely more heavily on panting to help regulate their body temperature.
During exercise, your Samoyed will expel the hot air from their body and take in cool air. When the cooler air hits the lining of their throat and lungs they can lower their body temperature and feel some relief.
This kind of panting can sometimes lead to some drooling as their mouths hang open and their body produces more saliva for the cool air to come in contact with. As long as your Samoyed isn’t panting excessively or drooling excessively in the process, then there is no cause for concern when they drool a little bit from playing.
Drooling In The Car
Drooling in the car is another typical time in which your Samoyed may experience a bout of drooling. If your Samoyed isn’t used to car rides, or the only time you only take them for a ride in a car is to go to the vet, then the stress and anxiety associated with it can cause your dog to both pant and drool.
Panting not only helps them cool down, but given the circumstances, it can also be your Samoyed communicating through body language. If your Samoyed associates car rides with getting vaccinations, or say with you leaving them at your designated puppy sitter while you have to be away for a couple of days, then expect them to act as nervous as they feel.
Another reason for your Samoyed to drool in the car is that dogs also get motion sickness. Drooling can be a sign of an upset stomach from the car ride. This may sound alarming, but it happens to be one of the more typical instances of when your Samoyed may drool during car rides.
Motion sickness is not uncommon for dogs, after all, riding in a car isn’t exactly a natural activity for them. The good news is their stomach will settle once the ride is over. Getting them used to car rides can help ease their motion sickness. There are also certain prescribed medications for dogs that have severe motion sickness.
What If Samoyed Drools Excessively?
For all the above-mentioned scenarios, it is important to keep in mind that even though your Samoyed may drool, he still shouldn’t drool a lot. Excessive drooling will likely require you to take a closer look at your Samoyed’s health.
If you notice your Samoyed is drooling without any clear reason, or that they are drooling an excessive amount during the above-mentioned scenarios, it is important to begin looking for other potential signs that something is wrong. Some medical issues may be more time-sensitive than others, so it is best not to overlook your Samoyed drooling more than usual.
Conditions Leading To Samoyed Drooling Excessively.
- An upset stomach from ingesting something they shouldn’t have, like cleaning chemicals, harmful plants, or if they are like my dog, like to eat pebbles from the driveway.
- Upper Respiratory Infection
- Ruptured or agitated salivary gland
- Heatstroke
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Neuromuscular conditions
- Bloat
- Mouth disease or tooth decay
- Diabetes
- Oral Tumors
Conclusion
So, do Samoyeds drool? Yes, but when they drool excessively keep an eye out for signs of:
- Lethargy
- Physical weakness
- Excessive eating or drinking
- Decrease in appetite or thirst
- The smell, consistency, and color of the drool (i.e. is it tinged pink, thick, does it smell sweet)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty standing or lack of coordination
- Seizures
- Rapid breathing
- Constant whining
If you notice any of these symptoms accompanying your Samoyed drooling excessively, call your local vet and set up an appointment to find the underlying cause for these uncommon behaviors.