9 Adorable Dog Breeds with Long Ears
Long ears on dogs help funnel scents directly from the surrounding environment to their sensitive noses, which helps explain why they’re a common feature on scent hounds and other tracking breeds.
Long ears on dogs help funnel scents directly from the surrounding environment to their sensitive noses, which helps explain why they’re a common feature on scent hounds and other tracking breeds.
Today, your dog might not need to track your next meal, but those long ears are as cute as they are useful, serving as a distinctive trait in many popular breeds. If you’re curious about these breeds, here are nine common dogs with long ears.
How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears
01 of 09
Bloodhound
The most famous long-eared dog might just be the Bloodhound. This large and affectionate breed has been helping humans hunt scents since Medieval times.
Bloodhounds are prone to ear infections, so regular cleanings are a must to keep dirt, debris, and bacteria out of the folds and canals of their delicate—and impressive—ears.
Breed Overview
02 of 09
Afghan Hound
The origins of this ancient breed are hard to nail down since the Afghan Hound has been around since long before people started writing about them. What we do know about this particular breed is that its roots trace back to several regions in Afghanistan and that its long flowing ears are just as distinguishable as its luxurious coat.
These long-haired coats need a lot of maintenance, so Afghans are best suited to homes that can dedicate the time to this task.
Breed Overview
03 of 09
American Cocker Spaniel
Long ears are also a pretty dominant trait in Spaniels, including the American Cocker Spaniel, the Field Spaniel, and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
The American Cocker Spaniel’s happy disposition and kid-friendly personality are two things that make these specific long-eared dogs popular family pets (along with those curly-haired ears, of course).
Breed Overview
04 of 09
Basset Hound
This list wouldn’t be complete without the lovable Basset Hound, a charming breed that’s as famous for its agreeable nature as it is for its outstanding ears.
Their scent-tracking abilities are second only to the Bloodhound, and those long and floppy ears certainly help explain why. Just be prepared for some stubbornness, as this is a typical characteristic of the breed.
Breed Overview
05 of 09
Beagle
Beagles are among the most popular dog breeds in the world and have been for some time. Due to their carefree attitudes and knack for adapting to their environments quickly, Beagles have a reputation for being excellent family pets. We think those adorable, long, floppy ears might have something to do with it, too.
Breed Overview
06 of 09
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Long ears are a common trait among Coonhound breeds, as evidenced by the Treeing Walker Coonhound. This intelligent American working breed uses both its striking ears and its distinctive bark to help humans out hunting.
As with most long-eared scent hounds, however, you may have to put a little extra work in when it comes to the recall training.
Breed Overview
07 of 09
Havanese
One of the smaller breeds on this list, Havanese dogs, are clever pups with long ears that are proportionate to their bodies. The Havanese breed is also known for its silky coat, which requires regular grooming and upkeep.
Owners prone to allergies often select these long-eared dogs because they are less likely to trigger allergic reactions. While there is no truly hypoallergenic dog, the Havanese breed sheds minimal hair.
Breed Overview
08 of 09
Lhasa Apso
Another small breed, the Lhasa Apso, originated in Tibet more than 2,500 years ago and has a dense, durable coat coupled with (you guessed it) some seriously long ears.
Lhasa Apso is a delightful breed with rather lengthy ear fur compared to most dogs with long ears, so owners need to check regularly for tangles and debris. Although the Lhasa Apso is another long-eared breed that has a high-maintenance grooming regime, on the plus side, these dogs don’t shed much.
Breed Overview
09 of 09
Weimaraner
Rounding out this list is the Weimaraner, a graceful and affectionate sporting breed with captivating eyes and ears that are useful when on the hunt.
A common trait of this breed is its velvety, oversized ears, which is likely the product of some interbreeding with Bloodhounds long ago. But these days, Weimaraner dogs have made their long-eared trait all their own - and more manageable in terms of length.
Weimaraner dogs, overall, are athletic and energetic. As a result, this breed needs a home that can offer them enough exercise and stimulation to prevent problem behaviors from developing in the long run.
