Dogs With Floppy Ears: 10 Adorable Breeds to Know

Some of the most iconic dogs of all time have great, big, floppy ears: Snoopy, Scooby Doo, Toy Story’s Slinky Dog. Maybe you’ve got your own floppy-eared dog sitting right next to you at home. Drooping ears aren’t just cute; they seem to add a ton to a dog’s personality, making them the special pet that they are.

If you’re looking for a dog with floppy ears, they’re actually found across all types of breeds. That means that, no matter what you’re looking for in terms of the dog’s personality or your lifestyle, you can find the perfect floppy-eared dog to suit you. Whether they’re a Dachshund, a Beagle, a Weimaraner or even a massive Great Dane, there’s a droopy dog just waiting to join your family.

Here, we dive into the most popular breeds of floppy-eared dogs, their unique personalities, and how to take care of them.

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1. Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are one of the most iconic floppy-eared dogs. They take floppy to the extreme, with great big ears that seem to almost reach the floor. They were bred to hunt on foot, with a sense of smell that’s second only to the Bloodhound. These days, they mostly just make great pets. They are calm, loyal, and have a sweet temperament. Despite their lazy looks, they do still need regular exercise.

2. Cocker Spaniel

There are two types of Cocker Spaniel: the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel. Both types have the signature floppy ears. They’ve been around for a long time and were bred as gun dogs, but they are popular pets. They can be prone to skin and ear infections, so you need to make sure you keep on top of their grooming. All Spaniels tend to be sweet and happy family dogs with loyal personalities.

3. Beagle

The Beagle, which Snoopy himself was based on, are recognizable by their floppy ears. They have a great sense of smell and impressive tracking instincts, so unsurprisingly, they were bred for hunting. They are also used as detection dogs around the world, but are very popular as pets in the United States because they tend to be very friendly and amiable. However, due to their strong instincts, they need a lot of stimulation, so be ready to provide lots of games and training if you bring one into your family!

4. Dachshund

The smallest dog on this list, the Dachshund, is recognizable by its short stature and long body. They were bred to hunt even smaller animals, but today they’re really popular as pets all over the world. On a miniature Dachshund, the ears can almost seem as big as they are. Personality-wise, they are loving, loyal, and surprisingly stubborn considering how small they are. They have a big personality in a small body if you’re looking for a true companion dog.

5. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular pets out there. While historically, they have been used in hunting, today they are lying on the floor in living rooms across the world. Recognizable for their golden color and floppy ears, the Golden Retriever makes a great family pet. They are intelligent, loyal, sweet, and incredibly even-tempered. Their ears don’t need cleaning as often as other floppy-eared breeds, making them pretty low-maintenance.

6. Bloodhound

Like many dogs on this list, the Bloodhound has an amazing sense of smell. In fact, it’s probably the best out there. They can track people from many miles away, even days later. That’s what makes them popular as a working dog, but they can also make great pets. They do quite often get ear and skin ailments, so you should make sure you keep them clean and dry and keep an eye out for any developing problems.

7. Great Dane

Made popular by the legendary Scooby Doo, Great Danes are one of the biggest breeds out there, if not the biggest. They need a ton of input and over two hours of exercise a day, but they make great pets because of their affectionate, loyal personalities. Their ears are surprisingly big and floppy for how otherwise striking they look, and they do require a bit of extra care. However, as long as you keep their ears clean and dry, you shouldn’t have any issues.

8. Weimaraner

Weighing as much as 88 pounds, the Weimaraner is one of the biggest dogs on this list. Originating in Weimar, the Weimaraner actually isn’t considered to be suitable as a pet in Germany, where it tends to be a hunting dog. However, they are good with kids and have a friendly and obedient temperament, so they are companions in other countries. They need lots of ear cleaning and maintenance, but it’s worth it if you love those floppy ears.

9. Afghan Hound

While different types of dogs can have floppy ears, Hounds more often have them than others. The Afghan Hound is a really special looking dog, and it isn’t only their ears that make them stand out, but their long, silky coat and regal stance. Taking care of their fur takes a lot of work, and they need a bath every week or two. Despite their standoffish appearance, they can be very silly and sweet when they feel like it.

10. Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound has ears that aren’t just long and floppy, but also pretty wide, making for a funny look on the top of their heads. Bluetick Coonhounds, as their name suggests, have a blue coloring on their coat. Like many dogs on this list they were bred to hunt, but they tend to make good pets. They have a strong sense of smell and can be very vocal, but once they’re trained, they’ll fit right into the home.

Benefits and challenges of having a dog with floppy ears

One of the main benefits of having a dog with floppy ears, of course, is that they’re very cute. Floppy ears give dogs a friendly appearance, but they do also come with some challenges. You will need to clean their ears more often than you would for other breeds, to make sure that they don’t get infections or other irritations. You also need to make sure that their ears are kept dry. However, it’s worth it.

Caring for dogs with floppy ears

Mostly, the care for a floppy-eared dog is similar to that of any other dog, but there are some unique challenges. Having very floppy ears makes dogs more susceptible to infection, skin irritation, and other issues. You need to make sure that you clean them regularly and most importantly keep them dry after swimming, bathing, or going out in the rain. Always contact your vet if you have any concerns at all about your dog’s ears.

Bottom line

Lots of different types of dogs have floppy ears, and they all have unique personalities. If you’re looking to introduce a floppy-eared dog into your family, you need to make your choice carefully and make sure they’re the right fit. Above all, you need to be prepared to help to clean their ears, because they can’t do it by themselves.

FAQs

What does it mean if a dog has floppy ears?

While it wouldn’t benefit a dog in the wild to have their auditory canal covered up, when it comes to hunting, it has historically been thought to be beneficial. Floppy ears are a recessive gene, and even if a dog isn’t bred to hunt, they can end up with floppy ears.

Are dogs with floppy ears less aggressive?

People tend to view floppy-eared dogs as more cute and friendly than their pointy-eared counterparts. In fact, that’s partly why the the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hires floppy-eared dogs to work for them. It isn’t necessarily true that they’re automatically less aggressive than dogs with pointy ears, but the assumption persists, mostly because they are so cute.

Where did dog floppy ears come from?

All different types of dog breed can have floppy ears as a result of breeding over many generations. In fact, animals in the wild tend to have ears that point straight upward, and dogs having more floppy ears generally than their wild cousins is a result of domestication. Dogs having super floppy ears like the ones on our list is also due to breeding and is deliberate. It can be better for hunting dogs and is also a choice because of how it looks.