Varying in size, shape, color, and more, there are hundreds of unique dog breeds.
One of the ways dog breeds vary is in the appearance of their ears.
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What Do You Call Floppy Dog Ears?
Different breeds of dogs have ears of varying shape, size, and carriage.
One variation of ear carriage is floppy ears.
These are also referred to as drop ears.
These floppy-eared dogs are characterized by droopy, pendulous ears in a V-shaped, dropped ear carriage.
This is in contrast to dogs with erect, pointy ears, referred to as prick ears.
What Dog Breeds Have Floppy Ears?
Who can resist a puppys face, especially when it is framed by soft, dangling ears?
But what dog breeds have adorable floppy ears?
Lets take a closer look at 10 of the most popular dog breeds with floppy ears.
Instead, these curious canine companions were bred to hunt prey.
Their intelligence and bravery make them great watchdogs, but they also make lovely lap dogs.
Although not the speediest of dogs, the Basset Hound still demonstrates great strength and endurance.
But at home, these scent hounds are incredibly charming and loyal.
This Sleuth Hound breed is commonly used as a working dog to track down lost or missing people.
Sometimes, Bloodhounds can get distracted by a scent, making obedience challenging.
But as long as you dont mind the extra drool, these gentle giants make friendly companions.
Afghan Hounds also have large paw pads designed to withstand long hunting days.
There are two types of Cocker Spaniels: the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel.
Their medium size makes Cocker Spaniels well-rounded companions and great family dogs.
But this breed is also extremely smart and athletic.
Because of this, poodles are usually easy to train and are obedient.
Despite the stereotypes, Poodles are so much more than a fancy haircut.
This breed can bring a lot of joy to you and your family.
They are relatively small dogs and come in two sizes.
Beagles make great hunting dogs but are also playful, making them excellent family dogs.
These loving and energetic pups require plenty of activity.
Golden Retrievers excel as guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and hunters.
Labradors are a British breed created for sporting and hunting.
Their water-resistant coat makes them perfect for waterfowl hunting.
Additionally, Labrador Retrievers are commonly used as service or therapy dogs.
These large dogs are incredibly friendly and loving but also have much energy.
This beautiful dog is known for its shiny, lush red coat.
Irish Setters are sweet-natured social companions who love to be around adults, children, and other dogs alike.
One potential issuewith floppy ears is a greater risk of otitis externaor ear infection.
Floppy ears are considered a predisposing factor for ear infections.
Predisposing factors, like ear structure, change the environment inside their ears.
Another potential condition that floppy-eared dogs can develop is anaural hematoma.
An aural hematoma is a blood-filled swelling under the skin within the ear flap.
How to Clean Floppy Ears
Keeping your dogs ears cleanis essential regardless of their breed.
But it is especially crucial with floppy-eared dogs to prevent dirty and infected ears.
First, choose an appropriate ear-cleaning solution.
You will also need to defer to your veterinarian regarding the frequency of ear cleaning.
Typically, if a dog has an ear infection, cleaning is recommended twice a week.
Otherwise, weekly regular cleaning is usually appropriate.
It is important to note that excessive cleaning can also lead to ear infections.
To clean your dogs ears, I recommend soaking a large cotton ball in solution.
Then, use dry cotton balls to remove any debris.
Never use cotton-tipped applicators like Q-tips since these can rupture the ear drum!
Are Dogs with Floppy Ears Less Aggressive?
But are dogs with floppy ears truly more friendly?
Charles Darwin observed an associationbetween floppy ears and behavior.
What Are the Benefits of Floppy Ears in Dogs?
It has been proposed that floppy ears help hone a dogs sense of smell.
This is because floppy ears slightly inhibit a dogs hearing.
By dampening potentially distracting noises, floppy ears encourage a dog to rely more on his sense of smell.
