As of this writing, one particular word is mentioned in the standards of five AKC herding breeds, four Non-Sporting breeds, two terrier breeds, and not at all in any toy breed. This changes dramatically when we get to the hound group where that word appears in the “blueprints” of eleven hound breeds, as well as in the standards of eleven working breeds and thirteen sporting breeds!
The word is “flews,” and for those new to the dog world, flews are the upper lips of dogs, particularly the loose, pendulous skin that hangs down over the sides of a dog’s muzzle. It’s a large component of type in several breeds, and regular readers of these pages know that a frequently mentioned phrase on these pages is “form follows function.”
Most canine encyclopedias and books on K9 terminology more fully parse their description of flews by mentioning flew types, and they include well developed flews, moderate flews, dry flews, upper jaw flews, and no flews at all. In this post, we’re touching upon one more descriptive: wet flews.
A curious thing happens when we revisit breed standards that mention flews: there is no reference (that we could find) to “wet” flews, even in breeds famous for their prodigious “mouth moisture.” This is likely because standards emphasize attributes that define function and, by extension, breed type. In breeds known to have wet flews, drooling is a consequence—not a desired trait that is intentionally bred for.
So what, then, is the point of “wet” or “well developed” flews?
It is understandable that in breeds developed for scent work (think Bloodhound), larger flews have an important role in scent detection. Loose skin and drooping lips help trap and collect scent particles from the environment. As these dogs sniff the ground, their flews vibrate and sweep up smell which concentrate scent molecules around the dog’s nose.
Similarly, many sporting breeds have looser, more pendulous upper lips to help them retrieve game. The loose skin of the flews allows a retriever to create a seal around the bird in its mouth, helping to prevent the game from slipping out while the dog returns to the hunter. This also enables a “soft mouth,” allowing the dog to carry game without causing damage (no one wants the pheasant breast on their dinner plate to have teeth marks in it). Flews help cushion the grip and keep the mouth moist, which is particularly helpful when carrying large birds like turkeys. While wet flews are not essential for carrying game, they can assist by providing a gentle, moist grip that helps the dog deliver game intact.