The 20 Stinkiest Dog Breeds

dog

Roses are red, violets are blue, dogs are stinky and sometimes there is nothing you can do. That’s it. I’m quitting my day job and becoming a writer. Oh, wait, I already am a writer; and that kind of rhyming talent doesn’t come along often, so perhaps I’ll stick with it. But back to the point; dogs do not always smell amazing.

As a woman with a very sensitive sense of smell, I’m not fond of what I like to call eau du dog. I love dogs; I think they are beautiful. But if a dog spends even a second outside, I feel like all I smell is dirty dog and body odor, and I feel that the dog needs a bath.

Of course, some dogs are far less offensive in terms of odor than others, but there are certain dogs that just do not smell like a million bucks, and I’m here to tell you which ones are a bit less than pleasant. If you’re like me and want a dog that smells nice more often than not (or at least does not smell offensive), you might want to keep looking since these 20 dogs are some of the smelliest as a whole.

st. bernard

1. St. Bernard

This is a dog that has triple the smell issues; it is gassy. It is known for its skin conditions that cause unpleasant odors. It is a drooler, and that drool get down into its skin and makes it smell less than amazing. When this dog is on a roll, it can smell less than fresh and amazing. It’s been known to have some of the smelliest gas and skin around when it’s not properly bathed and the drool is not cleaned effectively from his fur.

english bulldog

2. English Bulldog

These are a breed known for being so gassy they can make a grown man cry. But it also does not help that this breed has a number of genetically predisposed skin conditions that cause an unpleasant scent. The thing with this breed is that it’s entirely too cute for its own good, but it is not the most amazing in terms of smell. It’s cute, sure; but it’s not a dog that you want in your bed on a regular basis or you’re never going to breathe again.

bloodhound

3. Bloodhounds

Their ears need frequently cleaning and they are prone to a foul odor that is reserved especially for dogs. This breed has very big, long ears and they need serious work from time to time. They need to be cleaned properly. When they are not, the smell can become a bit overwhelming. As long as you are capable of keeping this dog clean and its ears cared for, however, you will be good to go in the ‘clean dog’ department.

boxer

4. Boxers

As a whole, they are not the type of dog that smells bad. However, they are very flatulent, and the result is never pleasant. Unlike some of the other dogs on this list, they don’t suffer from smell due to skin conditions, folds or other issues that can affect scent, but they do have gas. And when these dogs have gas, it’s bad. The best thing you can do for your dog is make sure it is eating the most appropriate diet possible for the breed so that it’s getting what it needs as far as good health is concerned.

beagle

5. Beagle

Sweet as can be, these dogs have to be cute. It’s all that will make up for the horrible body odor from which this dog suffers. It’s such a cute and small dog, but that doesn’t change the fact that it doesn’t always smell good. In fact, those who own beagles will tell you that the smell of this dog can actually change the way the yard smells, and no one is cooped up inside with the dog while this is happening. It’s not a pleasantry.

shar pei

6. Shar Pei

With so many folds, you can smell the fact that this dog has not been properly cleaned before you even get it out of the tub. However, the dog also has some skin issues that can cause foul smelling odor to permeate the air. It’s imperative that anyone with this dog as a pet keeps it clean and healthy on a regular basis. It’s got to be cleaned adequately as far as its skin folds are concerned or it will never smell like the kind of animal you want in the house.

yorkie

7. Yorkie

With a long coat, this is a breed that needs a lot of work to keep it smelling nice. Additionally, it’s a breed that is genetically prone to tooth decay issues, so it’s not that pleasant to smell in that aspect, either. Think of it this way; would you want to smell yourself if you did not wash your long hair on a regular basis? No imagine your long hair was all over your body and you ran for hours through the yard every day. It’s not that pleasant a thought, is it?

cocker spaniel

8. Cocker Spaniel

There is nothing we can say except for the fact that this is a breed that is well known for smelling like, well, a dog. This sweet dog is beyond cute, but it can smell a lot like a dog. Haha; what a joke, right? There is no real reason that this dog smells other than it just holds onto the scent of a dog. To me, dogs smell like wet animals that have been outside sweating all day long, but my husband disagrees. Either way, we both agree this one is unpleasant.

pug

9. Pugs

Everyone who has ever been around a pug knows that this is a breed that does not smell overly pleasant thanks to its extreme gassiness. Additionally, the dog has some folds in its skin that make them prone to infection and a foul odor if they are not carefully cleaned on a regular basis. They have some seriously cute faces, but they have some seriously lethal smells. Be careful with this one. Perhaps you want to keep it out of the bedroom.

bassett hound

10. Basset Hound

This is an adorable breed, but they are prone to gas and they have some body odor issues. Some people assume that they can just give their dog a regular bath, but this particular breed cannot handle frequent baths. Frequent bathing will dry out the skin of your basset hound and cause some health and skin issues that are just not fair to the dog. Either get used to the smell or get a different dog.

maltipoo

11. Maltipoo

I had a maltipoo once. We had him for several years and while we loved him endlessly, his ears were not a wonderful scent. He suffered often from ear mites, and while I’m not sure if they are specific to his breed or not, he always smelled a little bit funny to us. His ears were not amazing and he smelled like, well, a dog the second he came back inside from even just a few minutes in the yard doing his business.

lhasa apso

12. Lhasa Apso  

With such a long coat, it’s very easy for this dog to adopt a smell that is less than pleasant. It’s not typical for it to smell awful regularly, but it is easy for this breed to take on a less than ideal scent when it is not regularly cared for and cleaned. We’d recommend ensuring that a dog with this much fur is cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the onset of horrible smells from making it even worse.

irish setter

13. Irish Setter

While this is not a breed that smells bad in general, it can if it is not taken care of. The Irish Setter suffers from a proneness to ear mites, which can cause a nasty infection. If left untreated, the smell can be quite overwhelming. In fact, sometimes the first sign that a dog is suffering from an ear mite infection is the smell. If you don’t notice scratching beforehand, the smell will tip you off in no time at all.

newfoundland

14. Newfoundlands

These are gorgeous dogs, but they are known for their propensity to drool. And while this is not a problem in general, it can become a problem if you are not there to handle the drooling in the correct manner. What we mean is this; these dogs drool a lot and if you do not clean up the drool regularly, it can get stuck in the dog’s fur and on his skin, which can cause him to smell less than pleasant. Clean him daily with a cloth and you should be good.

mastiff

15. Mastiffs

Mastiffs, much like St. Bernards, are large and very furry dogs. They tend to drool on a regular basis, and that can cause them to smell less than pleasant. When drool is stuck in the fur of a dog and left there without care or cleaning, it can cause a less than pleasant odor. A slight cleaning on a daily basis, however, can make a big difference in the way that your dog smells.

chihuahua

16. Chihuahua

This is a little dog with a small mouth and a lot of teeth. For this reason, it’s commonly known that many Chihuahuas suffer from something known as dental disease. They are prone to tooth decay, which can cause the mouth to smell abnormally bad. This happens on a regular basis, and it’s important that your dog goes to the vet regularly to have his mouth checked, especially if you begin to notice that the smell is becoming too much to handle.

poodle

17. Poodles

Poodles are another breed that are prone to tooth decay, which can smell less than pleasant. While, as a whole, these are not dogs that smell bad, they can when their teeth get out of control. These are dogs that require veterinary care when you notice that their breath is becoming worse than usual. It’s also more common for this breed to suffer from tooth decay if it is a smaller poodle due to overcrowding.

cav

18. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Because these are smaller dogs, it is not uncommon for the teeth in its mouth to overcrowd can cause some health issues. When people begin to notice worse than usual dog breath smell coming from this one, it’s usually because the dog has some sort of tooth decay going on. It can happen without you even realizing it, and it can make for a very unpleasant smell. Your vet can recommend a diet and health considerations that will make it much easier for you to keep this from happening, however.

pekingese

19. Pekingese

The Pekingese is a dog that is small. For this reason, it has a small mouth and a lot of teeth. When this occurs, it’s more likely that the dog will suffer from some tooth issues and oral health concerns. This can cause some significant bad breath and other issues that can make the dog smell less than pleasant. Of course, adequate veterinary care and a healthy diet can help to prevent a bit of this and make your dog smell just a bit more pleasant.

maltese

20. Maltese

The Maltese is going on a two-fer when it comes to its smell. It’s a lovely dog that doesn’t smell particularly bad on a regular basis, but it doesn’t help that the dog is known for suffering from oral health issues that need attention. Additionally, this is a breed that does need frequent grooming, which will help to make sure that the dog does not smell any worse than it needs to on a regular basis.

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59 Comments

  1. If you take proper care of your animal and feed them a correct diet, you won’t have any of these problems… but if you’re a person who’s put off by slight odors, then perhaps dog ownership isn’t for you. Get a fish.

  2. EWWWWW! I’m amazed that the author didn’t include what, to my mind is the smelliest dog on earth: the Scottish Terrier! I have NEVER met a Scottie that didn’t reek to high heaven. Something about the breed’s chemistry gives them that awful “doggy odor” in spades! Yucko!

  3. “Mastiffs, much like St. Bernards, are large and very furry dogs.”

    Um…Mastiffs are NOT furry at all. They have short hair like boxers & pugs.

    1. That was my thoughts when I read that, I had a dog that was absolutely beautiful, her mother was a full blooded white wolf and her father was a full blooded German Shepard she was 130 pounds she never had any dog smell at all, nor did she have bad breath, I bathed her in a bath tub which she loved and if I didn’t brush her teeth by 9 PM she would let me know, I used to take her to the dairy queen quite often. I put clothes on her when she was a pup and she loved them, we called her miss prissy. because the way she behave when she got something new, especially a new scarf I never once had to scold her, she was very kind to other dogs and was very protective of the family. I still miss her after ten years since she passed on.

    2. It actually depends on the mastiff breed, although I do agree that most Mastiffs have shorter fur. The one pictured is a Neapolitan Mastiff, and is exactly as you described — short fur all around! But the Pyrenean Mastiff, Persian Mastiff, and the Tibetan Mastiff among the few Mastiff or “Molosser” breeds that have thick fur.

  4. I had a labrador retreiver that I gave to a friend because I couldn’t stand how my own dog smelled. Something about the oils in the fur, I’d wash her but pretty soon she’d smell bad. And later I had a Rottweiler who could clear the room with gas. I haven’t experienced it first hand, thankfully, but a friend tells me her mom’s greyhounds are exponentially worse with the gas than my Rottie was.

    1. Labs need the coats brushed daily, along with ears cleaned and teeth brushed. My Lab will develop an odor with even one day of missed grooming. That’s why it is critical to maintain a regular grooming regime.

  5. Kind of unfair on several counts. First, any animal (like a people) will smell if its not properly cared for. Secondly, with breeding in excessive characteristics such as heavy skin folds the poor dog is at the mercy of its genetics – again, that’s due to human beings. Not rocket science!

  6. I’m thinking that the person who wrote this article thinks all dogs stink. I’m not a dog owner, but I do like dogs. However, I don’t want one! They all stink.

    1. The main reason is people are too lazy to care for them, people stink too especially in parts of the world that are hot and they dress in heavy black clothing. My Lhasa gets bathed and her teeth brushed and she doesn’t stink, but if I didn’t bathe her I’m sure she would.

  7. i would have found this article to be much more entertaining if instead of dogs, the author should have written how many of the people you pass on the street each day, have smells that would gag a maggot.

  8. According to this writer, I own 3 of the top 20 Stinkiest dogs? A Chihuahua, a Pug and a Beagle. My Chihuahua, I can understand the oral health issues but that’s a given with ANY dog if their teeth aren’t monitored. Beagles have notoriously oily skin that protects their fur from the elements, keeping it dry. However, if the dog is kept INDOORS and not cruelly chained outside, they’re less likely to develop that stinky oil. An occasional bath and combing also,helps. And as for pugs being gassy? I don’t know about others. Maybe I’ve been blessed because rarely do I smell any noxious oder from my pug’s behind! Now the Beagle…well……

          1. Makes sense, crowded together teeth obviously will have issues – it’s our fault for wanting them so tiny, so it’s our responsibility to care for them properly.
            Also, as some people pointed out, small dogs tend to live longer than large dogs, so they have their teeth a longer time and that invites more issues.

            I’ve often had dentals done for my older dogs, I keep older, unadoptable dachsies and they often come in with very neglected teeth to begin with. That can cause serious health issues from infections that can spread to the dogs’ whole systems – very important to get them dentals.

  9. Frankly, for the dogs with tooth and mouth issues, simply brushing their teeth daily helps immensely. Sometimes twice daily is needed. There are excellent premium canine toothpastes and canine mouth sprays that help a lot – even get rid of the odor for a day at a time. Also, annual dog dental exam and cleaning is important. There frequently is a discount on this procedure during the month of February. This is not much excuse for having a dog with bad breath.
    In terms of ear odor, simply cleaning with a cotton wipe or even a dry wash cloth helps keep the wax reduced. Your vet can suggest an ear cleansing solution. If your dog has recurrent mite infestations, it should be treated and an ongoing regimen of ear cleaning instituted. Yeast infections in canines with “droopy” ears are a problem. Daily cleaning and the use of a vet-prescribed ear wash will clear up this problem, and ongoing special care will prevent recurrence.

    1. Might consider giving your dog a proper bath before you knock ’em. Cats are the ones who groom themselves quite well. Dogs aren’t known for that. How about getting a stuffed animal if you ever feel yourself desirous of a “cute, odor-free pet”?

        1. I’m sorry, I’m unable to tell by a photo if a dog -or indeed anything or anyone- stinks. However, knowing the breed quite well and, in fact, many, many dog breeds, disciplined care-taking of a pet will eliminate many problems that careless or uneducated (i.e. YOU) people might encounter.

          Oh, and while I’m no fan, I rather doubt you know a thing about any Kardashian. But nice try.

          1. I am far from uneducated & to prove it I am publishing my own article in which I will expose Sandika for the stinky animal she is. In fact, THIS article was actually written by Sandika all in an attempt to try and divert attention away from her foulness .

  10. I would take ANY stinky dog over the likes of the working guys who don’t bother to take a shower before going to 7 Eleven for their morning coffee. That aroma can bring you to your knees it is so offensive.

    1. The beauty of the internet is that ANYONE can publish the typical op-ed or whatever, even if they aren’t getting paid. And you know what opinions are like.

  11. Out of the list my family or myself have been owned by half of them. I dont know what the author was smelling but certainly had nothing to do with my/our reality. Keep your pup healthy clean and well maintained with the proper grooming and 75% of the issues will go away. Personally the majority of the article sounded like a platform for keeping dogs outside and never allowing them to darken ones door much less the foot of the bed.

    1. PRECISELY my thoughts. This was not written by a caring, loving pet owner, but probably by someone who hates visiting their friends who owns dogs and therefore decided to write an article “teaching them and the rest of the pet-owning population a lesson”.

  12. Take your dog out for proper exercise and quit feeding it canned dog food and human leftovers for meals. A good quality dried dog food and plenty of water cuts down on the gas.

  13. Again post a dog on the link that isn’t on the list. And agree with Dupont. All these dogs are ugly and look like they stink. Why anybody would want one is crazy.

    1. You obviously should never have a dog – that’s for your benefit and the dogs’.

      No law saying everyone needs a dog – but I feel a bit sorry for you, you are missing some sort of empathy gene and will never know the joy of bonding with a sweet, innocent, childlike creature that would give you unconditional love if you treat it properly.

      1. OK you pompas AH. I never said anything about dogs in general. I said these stinkiest dogs breeds. And since you don’t know S and nothing about me, her goes moron.
        I’ve had at least 2 at a time Siberian Huskies since 1975. They are pack animals and they pull my sled so that’s why I have had at least 2 at any given time. They have the run of the house when and if they want it. They are the best breed ever. They don’t have bad breath ever. They don’t have an odor anywhere. They don’t get fleas because of their coat. Pound for pound the strongest dogs in the world. They don’t bark at other dog breeds. If they get muddy or dirty they clean themselves up. I’ve seen mine walk through the small kiddie pool or their water dish to wash their feet off before coming into the house. They blow their coat twice a year and it’s easy to brush out or vacuum. And every time I come back to the house if I’m gone for an hour or most of the day they run up, jump all over me and howl like they’ve haven’t seen me in years. Wherever I go in the house or outback they follow me and lay down right there. Oh and they the best looking dog in the world also. The only issue they have is that they are smarter than 98% of the human population, which I don’t have an issue with. And I see in your case you couldn’t handle or have one around as you appear to have an IQ of lettuce.
        I also have an Arabian that I ride with No bit only a side pull. I was going to go live and photograph wolves for about 6 months but that fell through as my last son was born. So don’t blow off about somebody because you don’t agree with them or their tastes are of higher quality than yours.

    1. True, but easily avoided by having your vet do a dental when needed and giving the dog decent chewies to clean their teeth daily – or brushing their teeth if you are up to it and the dog is willing.

  14. Many of the oral and skin issues that are mentioned here can be avoided by placing the dog on a grain free diet. This will not only improve the overall health of the dog but how they smell as well.

  15. Scent hounds have scent glands that should be expressed a few times a year. But have a groomer do it! Once you do that, beagles and bassies don’t smell and are easy to groom.

  16. Completely idiotic article by someone who obviously has NO real experience with dogs.
    First of all, dogs with oily skin and/or undercoats will smell more than other dogs – only two dogs I ever had with body odor were a Labrador and a chocolate dachshund, both had very oily skin.
    Washing them more frequently with a good dandruff shampoo helped enormously.
    I’ve had many, many dachshunds since (I rescue and foster) and not one other had this problem – so it is obviously individual.

    As to harping on dogs with dental problems — that is a health issue, not a normal odor issue, any being, including humans will smell bad if their teeth are rotten or gums infected. The responsible dog owner makes sure his dog has dental care.

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