Dogs are known for their unique physical features, and one of the most distinctive is their ears. From the long, droopy ears of the Basset Hound to the perky, upright ears of the Boston Terrier, no two dogs have the same ears.
In this article, we will explore the different types of dog ears, including their characteristics and purposes. Whether you have a German Shepherd with erect ears or a Bloodhound with rose ears, understanding your dog’s ear type can help you better care for them.
You are reading: 12 Types Of Dogs Ears
12 Types Of Dogs Ears
Prick Ears
Prick ears, also known as erect ears, are a type of dog ear that stands fully upright. They tend to appear pointed and give dogs an alert appearance.
Prick ears are similar to the ancestral ear shape wolves have, so they are pretty common. They are most commonly found in cold weather breeds such as the Siberian husky or the Alaskan malamute, but they are also found in terrier breeds like the Cairn or the West Highland, as well as various terrier mixes.
When dogs prick their ears up, it means they are listening carefully.
Blunt-Tip Ears
Blunt-tip ears are a type of dog ear that was developed by breeders from the prick ear shape. They are upright ears without a point, and they have a smooth, rounded edge.
French Bulldogs and Chow Chows are two of the best examples of breeds with blunt-tipped ears. Blunt-tipped ears look pretty similar to prick ears, but they have one key difference: instead of the tops being pointed, they feature a smooth, rounded edge.
Button Ears
Button ears are a type of dog ear that is small and round, lying flat against the head. They are also known as drop ears, with the tipped ends facing forward. The flapped part of the ear doesn’t cover the ear canal like a hooded ear, but it does provide some protection.
Breeds with button ears include the Airedale Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Border Terrier, Australian Shepherd, Irish Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, and more. Button ears are considered to be a desirable trait in many breeds, and they are often seen in terrier breeds.
Rose Ears
Rose ears are a type of dog ear that look a little like the wing of a bat. They are erect at the base but fold over about halfway through, allowing the ear to flop over.
Breeds with rose ears include the English Greyhound, Whippet, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, English Bulldog, Boxer, and Papillon Dog.
Rose ears are also found in breeds that are bred for running, such as Greyhounds and Whippets, as their ear shapes give them a more efficient and smooth run. The way to tell rose ears from button ears is that the rose style is a small, folded-over ear, while button ears are small and round, lying flat against the head.
V-Shaped Ears
V-shaped ears are a type of dog ear that is generally the ears that kids would draw when trying to recreate a picture of a dog. The pinnas of these ears are flat, and the folds bend forward into a triangular shape with soft edges.
Breeds with V-shaped ears include the Vizsla, Labrador Retriever, and Dalmatian. V-shaped ears are similar to folded ears, but slight differences in the shape and the tip of the ears distinguish the two.
Bat Ears
Bat ears are a type of dog ear that is characterized by large, V-shaped ears that resemble those of a bat. They are often outwardly inclined and extend beyond the sides of the dog’s head.
Breeds with bat ears include the German Shepherd, Bull Terrier, Chihuahua, Australian Cattle Dog, Corgi, Rat Terrier, and more.
Bat ears are often seen as a desirable trait in certain breeds, and they give dogs a unique and distinctive appearance. As the name implies, bat ears are large and erect, and they appear disproportionate to the dog’s head.
Cocked Ears
Cocked ears, also known as semi-pricked ears, are a type of dog ear that is neither erect nor pendant. Instead, they are upright with a slight kink at the top of the pinna, exposing the ear canals.
Border Collies are the prime example of a breed with cocked ears, but these cute ears can also be seen in some Border Collie mixes, Pit Bulls, and Shetland Sheepdogs. The purpose of these ears is to remain alert and pick up on even the quietest sounds.
Cocked ears are similar to semi-pricked ears, which are basically an upright prick ear that bends over slightly at the tip.
Drop Ears
Drop ears, also known as pendant ears, are a type of dog ear that hangs down the sides of the dog’s head. The entrance to their ear canal is protected by their outer ear flap, limiting their hearing abilities to a certain degree.
Breeds with drop ears include the Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and many more. Interestingly, breeders believe that these ears are associated with domestication, as they evolved because domestic pets living in a secure home don’t need to be alert for self-protection.
Furthermore, these dogs were bred explicitly with drop ears because they are water dogs, and their ears prevent liquid from entering their ear canals. Drop ears are attractive to most dog lovers as they make the breed appear puppy-like.
Candle Flame Ears
Candle flame ears are a type of dog ear that is exclusive to the English Toy Terrier breed. They are similar in shape to prick ears, but they curve slightly inward at the base and have small indents on the outer edge, making them appear flame-like.
The name “candle flame” also comes from the light-colored fur on the inside of the ear, which resembles a flame. These ears are upright and have a narrow base that widens in the middle before coming to a point on top. Candle flame ears are also similar to Basenji ears, which are hooded ears that feature curled sides to give off the appearance of a cowl.
Hooded Ears
Hooded ears are a type of dog ear that is a variant of the prick ear. They are characterized by a slight inward curve, similar to someone wearing a hoodie.
Basenjis are a breed that is famous for having hooded ears. Hooded ears are not very common, but they are a unique and elegant variation of the prick ear. They are also known as cowl ears, and they give dogs a distinctive appearance.
Hooded ears are similar to semi-pricked ears, which are upright ears with a slight kink at the top of the pinna.
Semi-Pricked Ears
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Semi-pricked ears, also known as cocked ears, are a type of dog ear that is neither erect nor pendant. Instead, they are upright with a slight kink at the top of the pinna, exposing the ear canals.
Common breeds with this ear type include Border Collies, Pit Bulls, and Shetland Sheepdogs. Semi-pricked ears are similar to prick ears, but they bend over slightly at the tip. They are also similar to cocked ears, which are upright ears with a slight bend in the top of the pinna.
Pendant Ears
Pendant ears, also known as folded ears, are a type of dog ear that hangs down in the folds, like a curtain. The Bloodhound is a breed that is famous for having pendant ears.
Other breeds with pendant ears include the Basset Hound, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and many more. Pendant ears are also known as lop ears, and they come in a large range of shapes and sizes.
The entrance to their ear canal is protected by their outer ear flap, limiting their hearing abilities to a certain degree. Pendant ears are attractive to most dog lovers as they make the breed appear puppy-like.
FAQS
1. What are the different types of dog ears?
There are many different types of dog ears, including prick ears, blunt-tip ears, button ears, rose ears, V-shaped ears, bat ears, cocked ears, drop ears, candle flame ears, hooded ears, semi-pricked ears, and pendant ears.
2. What breeds have prick ears?
Breeds with prick ears include Siberian huskies, German shepherds, Alaskan malamutes, Samoyeds, Belgian Malinios, Norwich terriers, Yorkshire terriers, and West Highland white terriers.
3. What breeds have blunt-tip ears?
Breeds with blunt-tip ears include Chow Chows and French Bulldogs.
4. What breeds have button ears?
Breeds with button ears include Fox Terriers and Parson Russell Terriers.
5. What breeds have rose ears?
Breeds with rose ears include Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, and Whippets.
6. What breeds have V-shaped ears?
Breeds with V-shaped ears include Vizslas, Labrador Retrievers, and Dalmatians.
7. What breeds have bat ears?
Breeds with bat ears include Australian Cattle Dogs, Corgis, and Chihuahuas.
8. What breeds have cocked ears?
Breeds with cocked ears include Border Collies, Pit Bulls, and Shetland Sheepdogs.
9. What breeds have drop ears?
Breeds with drop ears include Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
10. What breeds have candle flame ears?
Candle flame ears are exclusive to the English Toy Terrier breed.
11. What breeds have hooded ears?
Hooded ears are a variation of the prick ear and are most commonly seen in Basenjis.
12. What breeds have semi-pricked ears?
Breeds with semi-pricked ears include Border Collies, Fox Terriers, and Shetland Sheepdogs.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
Category: DOGS
