8 Dog Breeds with Long Ears and Why We Love Them
These dogs are famous for their exceptionally floppy ears
Droopy ears are a pretty common trait in Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds and Beagles. Most dogs with long ears were bred to follow prey over vast distances, as it can help them to funnel scents directly from the surrounding environment to their sensitive noses.
"There are many dog breeds with long ears – and while they are a distinctive, recognizable trait, long ears are also a success factor for scent hounds (a dog which primarily hunts by scent rather than sight). The dog's ears move along the ground whilst sniffing, collecting scents and sweeping them to the nose," Shauna Walsh, Veterinary Nurse at the PDSA, tells Country Living.
These breeds might be great at sniffing out scents, however dogs with long ears are more prone to ear problems as dirt and bacteria can get trapped more easily.
"It means dogs with longer ears may need a little more care and attention than short ears, and more regular cleaning," explains Shauna. "Speak to your vet for advice on how often you should clean your dog's ears to keep them healthy."
On that note, take a look at the dog breeds with long ears below...
Bloodhound
"Blood Hounds are likely the breed that first comes to mind when you think of a dog with long ears. They are the most famous scent hound, and have been around since before the 1300s," Shauna tells us.
"Historically, they were used to hunt deer and wild boar, but also for tracking humans. They are a large breed of dog, making them more prone to hip and elbow dysplasia."
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels have long, almost shoulder-length ears to help them easily locate prey.
"The Cocker Spaniel is the third most popular breed in the UK, and being both a wonderful family dog and a skilled working breed, they are a real all-rounder," Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at the Kennel Club, previously told Country Living.
Welsh Springer Spaniel
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is famous for its long, hanging ears and friendly facial expressions. Their downward-drooping ears are smaller than those of the English Springer Spaniel, and help them to focus more on their sense of smell to find prey.
Basset Hound
"Basset Hounds are a medium size breed that originated in France in the Middle Ages. They were bred to be used for hunting in packs," adds Shauna.
"As well as their long ears, their body shape, low stature, and loose skin makes them successful hunters and trackers, however these can cause health issues if they are particularly exaggerated."
Afghan Hounds
Afghan Hounds, originally used for hunting game in Afghanistan, also made the list of long-eared dog breeds.
Shauna tells us: "They have an elegant long coat to match their long ears, with both requiring a lot of maintenance and grooming from their owner."
Beagles
Small, compact and hardy, Beagles are the smallest of the British pack hounds and were originally bred to hunt hares.
"They are very adaptable to family life in the country or city, as long as they get enough physical and mental stimulation," says Shauna. "Due to their strong hunting instincts, they may not be suitable to live with smaller pets."
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are very recognizable partly due to their tall, pointy ears. They were originally bred to help shepherds herd animals, but have since become versatile working dogs.
Dachshund
The much-loved Dachshund, famous for their lively and comical nature, are also famous for their floppy ears. Cleverly, their ears help them to capture and retain scent, which means they can hunt for efficiently.
Bill Lambert, a Kennel Club spokesperson, tells us: "They are lively and enjoy entertaining and pleasing their owners, and make great companions for owners who have patience with their training. Despite their size, they can make a house feel full with their mischievous nature and surprisingly loud bark."
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
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