12 Dog Breeds That Do Not Drool — our top picks
Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)
Chihuahua (Smooth Coat): very low drooling, very small-sized and very low grooming needs — a dry mouth — no slobber on your furniture or guests. World's smallest dog breed with huge personality. Alert, confident, and devoted to their family despite their tiny size. Worth knowing before you commit: the Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) is vocal, which matters if you share walls.
Whippet
Whippet: very low drooling, medium-sized and very low grooming needs — a dry mouth — no slobber on your furniture or guests. Medium-sized sighthound, gentle and quiet indoors. Perfect balance of athleticism and calm companionship. Worth knowing before you commit: the Whippet does badly left alone all day.
Basenji
Basenji: very low drooling, small-sized and very low grooming needs — a dry mouth — no slobber on your furniture or guests. Barkless African hunting dog with cat-like cleanliness. Independent, intelligent, and unique. Worth knowing before you commit: the Basenji needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier: very low drooling, small-sized and low grooming needs. Small, energetic hunting terrier with bold personality. Intelligent, fearless, and excellent working dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the Jack Russell Terrier needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Russell Terrier
Russell Terrier: very low drooling, small-sized and low grooming needs. Shorter-legged version of Jack Russell. Energetic, bold, and excellent family companion with moderate exercise needs. Worth knowing before you commit: the Russell Terrier needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Smooth Fox Terrier
Smooth Fox Terrier: very low drooling, medium-sized and low grooming needs. Smooth-coated version of Fox Terrier. Alert, intelligent, and excellent family companion with lower grooming needs. Worth knowing before you commit: the Smooth Fox Terrier needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu: very low drooling, small-sized and medium grooming needs. Smallest Japanese spitz breed with fox-like appearance. Independent, clean, and alert with strong personality. Worth knowing before you commit: the Shiba Inu sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Papillon
Papillon: very low drooling, small-sized and medium grooming needs. Elegant toy spaniel with distinctive butterfly ears. Athletic and intelligent with surprising agility for their size. Worth knowing before you commit: the Papillon needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Brittany
Brittany: very low drooling, medium-sized and medium grooming needs. Compact, athletic gundog with boundless energy. Eager to please and excellent family companion when properly exercised. Worth knowing before you commit: the Brittany needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terrier: very low drooling, small-sized and medium grooming needs. Small Scottish terrier with shaggy coat. Hardy, intelligent, and excellent family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: a strong prey drive makes off-leash recall a long project for the Cairn Terrier.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinscher: low drooling and very low grooming needs. Elegant German guardian with athletic build. Intelligent, loyal, and fearless protector when properly trained. Worth knowing before you commit: the Doberman Pinscher needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier: low drooling, small-sized and very low grooming needs. American Gentleman with tuxedo markings and friendly disposition. Intelligent and easy-going companion.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or see which breed you look like from a single photo.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for owners who cannot live with slobber
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff is a popular choice, but very high drooling and giant-sized put it at odds with owners who cannot live with slobber. On top of that, the English Mastiff drools enough to notice.
English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a popular choice, but high drooling put it at odds with owners who cannot live with slobber. On top of that, the English Bulldog is stubborn enough that first-time owners often struggle.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a popular choice, but large-sized and very high grooming needs put it at odds with owners who cannot live with slobber. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Golden Retriever needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Which dog do you look like?
Take one photo and an AI model tells you which of our 321 breeds you most resemble, and which features gave it away. Free, no account, and your photo is never stored. It is a game rather than advice — but every match links straight into that breed's real guide.
See which dog you look likeFrequently asked questions
- Which dog breeds do not drool?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) ranks as the top choice for owners who cannot live with slobber, followed by the Whippet and Basenji.
- How was this list of dogs for owners who cannot live with slobber chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for owners who cannot live with slobber — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. The same trait ratings are printed on each breed's own guide page, so you can check why a breed placed where it did.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for owners who cannot live with slobber?
- The English Mastiff, The English Bulldog, The Golden Retriever all rank near the bottom for owners who cannot live with slobber despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.