Do german shepherds drool? This is a question you may ask yourself when you’re thinking about buying one. Or you may be getting worried if you notice that your german shepherd has started.
Either way, this article hopes to explain whether german shepherds drool, and more importantly, what it means when they do.
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So, Do German Shepherds Drool?
German shepherds do in fact drool under certain circumstances. And if you notice your german shepherd drooling you shouldn’t be alarmed right away.
For example, they may drool if they’ve been doing lots of exercise, been drinking a lot, and especially when they’re waiting for a treat.
However, they’re not notorious droolers. If you notice your german shepherd drooling a lot there may be a problem.
Other Causes Of Drooling
If your german shepherd isn’t drooling for the regular reasons, here’s a list of other reasons they may end up drooling.
Heat Stroke
If it’s a hot day and your german shepherd has been out all day, then they may be suffering from heatstroke.
The drooling will occur quite quickly and you’ll also notice them panting. If you suspect that it’s heatstroke they’re suffering from, you’re going to need to cool them down right away.
Pour some cold water over them or hose them down. Just do something to lower their body temperature.
Once you’ve done this, give them plenty of water so they can rehydrate themselves.
If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke you should consult a vet. And if the symptoms don’t go away or you notice they’re having trouble breathing or seem to be in pain, consult one immediately.
Something Could Be Stuck In Their Mouth/Throat
One of the biggest problems with dogs is that they’ll try to eat anything. And sometimes they’ll succeed, at which point whatever they’ve eaten could get stuck.
If you think your pup may be drooling because they’ve swallowed something you should check. Try to look between their teeth, under their tongue, in the roof of their mouth and in their cheeks.
You may find a small splinter or a shard of bone etc. If you do notice something, take them to the vets, or if it seems tiny, pull it out yourself.
Other Mouth Injuries
When you’re looking for objects that have gotten stuck, you may also notice injuries. If you do notice the injuries make sure you swab the area with some hydrogen peroxide.
And if the bleeding doesn’t stop, or if there’s a lot of blood, then take them to the vets. They may need stitches.
Dental Problems
Drooling can also be a sign that there are problems with your dog’s teeth and gums. Unfortunately, a german shepherds mouth is often overlooked when you’re caring for them.
Some common dental problems that can cause your german shepherd to drool are gingivitis and tooth abscesses.
If you think there’s a dental problem make sure you take them to the vets.
And if it’s not, then you can still take precautions to stop dental problems from happening. For example, giving them dentastix and chew toys that help clean their teeth is a great idea.
You should also clean their teeth every once in a while, as well.
Motion Sickness
If you notice that your german shepherd drools a lot in the car, then they’re suffering from motion sickness.
The best way you can tell it’s motion sickness is to watch them when they get out of the car. If they stop drooling, then you know that they’re getting a little bit travel sick.
As well as drooling they may also whine, vomit and refuse to move. In more extreme circumstances they may also lose control of their bowels.
While this is much more likely in younger dogs, it can occur at any age.
(Have you ever thought about whether your german shepherd has webbed feet.)
Upset Stomach
Drooling can sometimes occur when your german shepherd has an upset stomach. And it can sometimes be a warning they’re about to vomit.
As well as an upset stomach, they may also be feeling nauseous as well. But fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to help solve this.
Ice cubes and ginger are great at relieving nausea and helping to settle your pup’s stomach.
(Have you been considering neutering or spaying your german shepherd? Click to find out more!)

They’ve Eaten Something They Shouldn’t Have
There’s a chance that your german shepherd has eaten something they shouldn’t have. And this can be so many different things. A squeaker, part of a stuffed animal, some of their blankets, a poisonous plant, or god forbid some sort of chemical.
If there aren’t any visible signs of injury then this could be causing the drooling. As well as drooling you may also notice vomiting, shaking and lethargy.
If you think your german shepherd has swallowed something they shouldn’t have, take them to the vets immediately. And if possible, tell them exactly what it is they’ve swallowed.
Swallowed A Poisonous Plant
There are a lot of common plants that are actually poisonous to dogs. So if you have a big garden, then you should check to make sure your german shepherd hasn’t eaten the plants.
Some common plants that are poisonous are wisteria, azaleas, daffodils, foxgloves, and hemlock. However, there are many, many more. Here’s a list of all the plants you should be careful of.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Sometimes, drooling can be caused by an upper respiratory infection of some sort. Fortunately, this is less common in dogs that live alone, however, if your german shepherd is constantly in contact with other dogs, then this could be the cause.
If you think it’s an upper respiratory infection make sure you take your pup to the vets. It’s also a good idea to make sure they stay away from other dogs, that they stay indoors and that you don’t allow them near other dogs. If you have more than one dog, you’ll also need to wash your hands when handling your sick pup.
Organ Disease
And lastly, your german shepherd’s drooling could be being caused by organ disease. This is much more common as your pup starts to age, however, it can happen at any age.
However, as long as you’re getting annual checkups at your vet, then they should be able to spot this pretty early. But if you haven’t taken your pup to the vets in a while, now may be a good time.
(Do you wonder whether german shepherds are aggressive to humans?)
How Is Drooling Treated
Your german shepherds drooling can be treated in a number of different ways. If it’s only mild, then often cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly will be the only change you need to make.
If it’s a little more serious then a tooth may be extracted, or small surgery may be required as well.
But the real key is prevention. In a lot of cases, making sure your dog isn’t going to get their mouth around something that can damage them is enough.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Recap
Now you know that german shepherds drool, and in a lot of cases, it’s nothing to worry about. However, if you think drooling is caused by the following then you may need to take your dog to the vets!
- Heatstroke
- Injury in their mouth
- Dental problems
- Motion sickness
- Stomach upset
- Eating something they shouldn’t
- Swallowing a poisonous plant
- Upper respiratory infection
- And organ disease.
If you liked this article make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise, have a great day!