Do your ears hang low? Yours probably don’t, but these dogs with floppy ears certainly have low-hanging ears—they even wobble to and fro! Besides being an endearing characteristic that makes your pup simply more adorable (if that’s even possible), floppy ears actually do have a purpose. Some dogs have droopy ears from years of crossbreeding, but scent hounds (such as Basset hounds) use their long ears to help them smell. The long ears help them stimulate trapped scent particles so the dogs can continue to hunt for long distances.
Generally, owners of dogs with floppy ears don’t have to deal with any negative health consequences—although they will have to do some extra cleaning of long dogs’ ears, as they are more prone to ear infections. And contrary to popular belief, ears that droop downwards actually don’t have any impact on the dogs hearing, even though it may seem like the sound would be muffled. So your droopy eared dog can hear just as well as dogs with pointy ears. Dogs have hyper-sensitive hearing, so your pup should have no problem hearing you if you call (they’re likely just ignoring you.)
These cuties will make you want to run to the shelter ASAP for a floppy-eared companion. You may even find some of these guys on our list of the most popular dog breeds—and for good reason.
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12. Setter
There are a few different types of setter breeds out there including the Irish setter, Gordon setter, and English setter—all with floppy ears. Setters are native to the United Kingdom and Ireland and are perfect for pet owners with easy access to the outdoors. They make great companions for those who love to go camping and hiking. If your heart hasn’t melted into a puddle of warmth already, check out these adorable puppy pictures that will definitely do the trick.
Sources
- HowStuffWorks: “Why Do Scent Hounds Have Long Floppy Ears?”
- Labrador Training HQ: “Best Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears And How To Care For Them”
- American Kennel Club
