First of all welcome!!! This site is amazing, we love it. Big dogs are so special and we love this site. I think the drool is an individual thing... Cassie 11 months/144lbs has never been a super big drooler. When she is hot, excited ,hungry or at the bark park, there is a little but just spontaneous drooling not so much. She lost her "fuzzy" puppy fur around 5 months I think.... She still has the tinest bit around the top of her ears, now it's very cute. ENJOY!!! the puppy time, it's short with out giant breeds.... take lots of pics! You just forget they were ever little. Great job on the training, and by the way, come and stay are very difficult for this breed from what I have read. Cassie has super selective hearing on both those commands even today.... I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I am not a great alpha, although my husband is. Please feel free to ask all the questions you wish... we are all great about answering. Take care!