Why does my dog drool?

All dogs salivate to cool down, but if you have a pup with big or open lips — such as a Boxer or a Bloodhound — you know that these breeds tend to be more drool-y than others.

“Saliva pools in their cheek pouches, and when they shake their heads, the drool flies,” says Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, a staff veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. And while you can wipe down the dog’s face to minimize the mess, there’s no way to prevent it — dealing with drool is just part of caring for your pet.