The beauty of dogs lies in their diversity. There are dogs of all proportions, sizes, temperaments, coat types–from Great Danes to Chihuahuas and everything in between, they cover the spectrum. As people, we have our preferences. We find ourselves attracted to certain features and characteristics, seeking out the breeds that display these traits. For some, dogs with jowls are the main attraction.
Sleepy and sad, earnest and dopey, cute and drooly, dogs with jowls capture our hearts with their endearing expressions. To satisfy your curiosity, we’ve compiled a list of some of the more notable dog breeds with prominent jowls.
The 11 Different Types of Dogs With Jowls
While charming, just keep in mind that all that extra skin on your dog’s face can mean extra work for you. Bacteria and dirt can collect in the folds of skin, leading to infection if not cleaned regularly.
1. Basset Hound
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 40-75 pounds
Coat: short
Known for their elongated bodies and droopy expressions, the Basset Hound is a scent hound originally from France where it was bred to assist on hunts and track wild game.
Second only to the Bloodhound in terms of its sense of smell, Basset Hounds have incredibly keen noses and are able to track even the faintest of scents. This is in part due to its jowls, which are thought to trap scent particles in their folds.
Although originally bred for this purpose, the Basset Hound’s second wave of popularity has come as a household companion. Slow moving and kind, this breed is thought to make a great family pet.
2. Bulldog
Average Lifespan: 7-11
Average Size: 35-50 pounds
Coat: short
The Bulldog is a medium sized bully breed developed in England where it was originally used as a bull-baiting and fighting dog.
More recently, the bulldog has been bred as a companion animal and for its distinctive appearance. As a consequence, the bulldog has lost its former musculature and agility, and is no longer a capable working dog.
Perhaps the best known of dogs with jowls on this list, the Bulldog comes with a host of health problems. With this breed in particular, regular cleaning of its jowls is necessary to prevent infection and to ensure clear breathing pathways.
3. Pug
Average Lifespan: 10-15 years
Average Size: 10-20 pounds
Coat: short
Famous for its shortened snout and squashed facial features, the Pug was originally developed in China as a companion animal.
Curious and affectionate, the Pug makes a great household companion and family pet that is playful around small children. What they lack in size, they make up for in personality and attitude, being well known for their quirky expressions and behavior.
Although longer lived than the Bulldog, this squashed face breed also comes with some health issues to be aware of. Much like the Bulldog, pugs should have their jowls cleaned regularly to prevent infection and clear their breathing pathways.
4. Saint Bernard
Average Lifespan: 8-10
Average Size: 120-180 pounds
Coat: medium, dense
The Saint Bernard is a large bodied, mastiff-type breed originally developed along the Italian-Swiss border as a working dog.
Muscular and well insulated with its dense coat, the Saint Bernard has historically been used as a search and rescue dog, retrieving people lost or injured among the snowy alps.
Being one of the largest dogs with jowls on our list, the Saint Bernard has more than enough jowls to spare. Bigger jowls means more drool, and if you’re considering getting one of these giants, just be sure you’re equipped to deal with all that slobber.
5. Bloodhound
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 80-110 pounds
Coat: short, dense
Much like the Basset Hound, the Bloodhound is a scent hound originally developed in France to assist on hunts with tracking and chasing down prey.
With the best nose of any dog, the Bloodhound is a working breed that has found use in a number of fields and contexts beyond hunting. Most notably, the Bloodhound’s nose is renowned for locating missing persons and criminals alike, capable of picking up otherwise cold trails.
Interestingly, the Bloodhound predates the Basset Hound, and is one of the breeds that was used in its development. Like the Basset Hound, this breed’s jowls provide a greater surface area for catching and picking up trace scents.
6. Newfoundland Dog
Average Lifespan: 8-10
Average Size: 100-150 pounds
Coat: medium-long, dense
Known for its massive size and amiable personality, the Newfoundland is a breed originally developed in Newfoundland, Canada, as a working dog.
Bred to assist fishermen along Canada’s coastline, the Newfoundland helped pull in nets and haul carts of fish to market. A proficient swimmer with a thick coat and webbed toes, this breed has been used to rescue drowning or stranded swimmers.
Beyond its impressive size and strength, the Newfoundland is an incredibly intelligent dog and one that does well with families and children. Be aware that this dog will require sufficient space and a good deal of exercise to keep happy.
7. Dogue De Bordeaux
Average Lifespan: 5-8 years
Average Size: 100-140 pounds
Coat: short
As the name suggests, the Dogue De Bordeaux is a mastiff-type breed originally developed in Bordeaux, France.
A working dog, the Dogue De Bordeaux was bred to haul carts and guard livestock from predation. The breed is incredibly muscular with powerful jaws and a solidly built frame, making it a formidable and effective guard dog.
The Dogue De Bordeaux has more jowls than face, so if you’re looking for the jowliest of dogs with jowls, you may have found your match. Unfortunately, while this breed has rebounded in numbers, it is still difficult to find breeders in the US, and so may not be a feasible option for many.
8. Great Dane
Average Lifespan: 8-10 years
Average Size: 100-200 pounds
Coat: short
The Great Dane is considered by many to be the largest dog breed. Originally developed in Germany in the Middle Ages, the Great Dane was bred to assist on hunts and chase down large prey.
Despite its size and weight, this breed is quick on its feet. Its long legs propel it forward at surprising speeds, topping out at 30 mph. While quick in short bursts, their large size and frame prevent them from being good distance runners, and they tire quickly.
Although fearsome in appearance, Great Danes are known for their friendly dispositions and for being gentle around children. Sadly, like many of the largest dog breeds, their size often translates to a shortened lifespan.
9. Cane Corso
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 90-110 pounds
Coat: short
The Cane Corso is a large, mastiff-type breed originating from Italy where it was bred for a multitude of uses, including hunting, companionship, protecting livestock, and guarding people and property.
A breed with ancient roots, the Cane Corso can be traced back to the mastiffs employed by ancient Romans as war dogs. The breed is depicted in mosaic, sculpture, and literature, and was prized among the Romans.
Fierce and determined, the Cane Corso is unflinching when it comes to protecting its owner. Due to its physical capabilities and incredible bite force, this jowly breed must be properly socialized at a young age to avoid aggression towards strangers.
10. English Mastiff
Average Lifespan: 6-12 years
Average Size: 120-240 pounds
Coat: short
Used to develop several of the other breeds on this list, the English Mastiff is a large, mossoloid breed from England, where it has historically been employed as a guard dog and for hunting wild game.
Like the Cane Corso, some historians believe the English Mastiff’s lineage can be traced to the war dogs used by ancient Romans during their invasion of Britain. Having been brought from Italy to the UK, English peoples then adopted and developed these dogs into the modern day English Mastiff.
In juxtaposition to its historic use in wars and on hunts, the English Mastiff is also considered a breed of even temperament and a gentle nature.
11. Boxer
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 50-70 pounds
Coat: short
Known for its square jaw and prominent muzzle, the Boxer is a mastiff-type breed originally developed in Germany for use on hunts.
With its incredible bite force, the Boxer was used on hunts to capture and hold animals in place long enough for the hunter to dispatch them. Contributing to its prowess as a hunting dog, the breed is both muscular and quick, able to nimbly maneuver wooded terrain.
Within the US the Boxer is perhaps one of the most popular dogs with jowls on this list, and is considered a good family pet. A unique quirk of the breed is its use of its forepaws to communicate.
