20 Precious Dogs with Pointy Ears You Need to See

Who can resist a dog with pointy ears? In addition to the loveable traits that every dog possesses—sweet puppy eyes, boop-able noses or long skinny ones, and waggy tails—pointy-eared pups have an extra way of communicating with you. Ever notice how your dog’s ears perk up when she’s excited? That’s even more pronounced in dogs with pointy ears.

But pointy ears exist for reasons beyond providing optimal cuteness. They also give your dog a better sense of hearing, and therefore, keep them safe. A pointy ear offers more surface area to collect sound waves and bounce them into the ear canal for processing, which is why wild dogs evolved to have them. Floppy ears are a deformity that evolved as dogs became domesticated. Today, many working breeds and guard dogs have pointy ears that allow them to pick up on far-off sounds and perform their jobs as best as possible reports the American Kennel Club.

It’s important to clarify that pointy ears are different from cropped ears. While pointy ears are something a dog is born with, cropped ears are the result of a surgical alteration. Some breeds, including the Doberman pinscher, the great Dane, and the schnauzer, are altered so frequently that many people believe that’s how they look naturally. Animal activists opposed the practice of ear cropping, and the alteration is banned in many European countries.

However, not all dogs with pointy ears have ears that have been cropped. For many, it’s just an adorable characteristic of their breed. Ahead, find the cutest dogs with pointy ears, such as chihuahuas, Siberian huskies, Basenjis, and more. And for more precious pups, don’t miss the cutest dogs as puppies.