Have you just been killing some spare time by mooching around Pinterest for some really cute dogs?
Seen a few dog breeds with floppy ears with that wow factor?
In my list, I highlight seven small breeds of dogs with floppy ears.
But before I start with my first breed, I want to briefly discuss dog’s ears.
Floppy ears look great but they are of limited practical use.
In terms of hearing, a floppy ear stops a dog hearing effectively as their ear drum is covered up.
And floppy ears are more liable to get caught in a fight or tangled in undergrowth out in the field.
Not to mention the fact that floppy ears are harder to clean inside and out- in fact it is easy to forget to check the inside of an ear.
And lastly, floppy ears get in the way when a dog is trying to eat as they are dangling in the bowl as well.
But you will be hard pressed to find a more endearing ear shape in the dog kingdom.
Who is our first breed?
1. Cavalier King Charles
Cavaliers are good as companions. However, they are also athletic because of their spaniel ancestors. They are a relatively new breed and famous for their regal and charming looks. And not to mention, those big, cute eyes that can make you fall in love with them. They have high-set ears and a flat skull.
As this breed matures, feathers (long hair) grows on their ears, feet, legs, and tail.
This adds character to their floppy ears, which move forward when the dog is alert.
Males stand 13 inches tall and weigh 13 to 18 pounds. This breed comes in four main colors: Blenheim, tricolor, ruby, and black with tan markings. However, Blenheim is the most common color for this dog.
They don’t like to be left alone in the house and love to have some company so they are a great option for your cat.
Obviously, they should not be kept as guard dogs, because they tend to be too friendly!
They can also be great playmates for the kids, however, supervision is necessary if you let them play with the kids.
Their quiet nature makes them a great candidate for apartments or condos.
2. Cocker Spaniel
At one time, the Cocker Spaniel was America’s most popular dog- if you go back to the 1940’s and 1950’s!
Currently ranked at #30 (out of 196) it can still claim to be one of the most loved dogs.
This breed has long, lush ears that you will find irresistible. Their floppy ears in combination with their dark eyes and sweet expressions are some of the reasons why they are loved by many pet owners.
Cockers were bred to hunt Woodcocks- which are large wading birds found most often in woodland.
However, despite their strong hunting background, Cockers can be a great addition to the family, because of their friendly nature and adaptability.
They always feel happy when they are pleasing their owners and can be easily trained in the backyard. However, like Cavaliers, they do not like to be left alone.
Remember “Lady” from the movie Lady and the Tramp? That was a Cocker Spaniel…
And the American President, Richard Nixon owned a Cocker named Checkers.
An adult male Cocker Spaniel weighs 24-28 lbs. and their height at Withers is around 15 inches.
They come in a number of colors ranging from black and cream to combinations with white and tan markings.
3. Beagle
Although Beagles are hound dogs, they are really friendly and lovable. They look like small foxhounds and are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.
Their floppy ears are long, soft, and low-set that turn slightly towards the cheeks. They turn out to be great companions for both kids and adults. Their cute face and eyes make them a good dog to have in the house.
However, their friendliness makes them a bad choice for guard dogs. Overall, this small, low maintenance dog is fun to have around.
Historians are not sure about the history of this breed. Some people relate them to Greeks and some people say William the Conqueror brought their ancestors to England during the 11th century.
However, we are sure that the exact breed we know today did not exist before the 19th century. Early Beagles were bred for their hunting skills only. But after some time, both attractive and good hunter Beagles were bred as well.
They require daily exercises like brisk walking or jogging and have a life span of 12 to 15 years. Males stand 13 to 15 inches tall and weigh 20 to 30 pounds.
They come in different eye-catching colors like lemon, red, and white. Intelligence, energetic, and lovable: all these qualities make them a great family dog.
4. Dachshund
They are hound dogs trained to hunt animals like rabbits and foxes. Don’t let their cute eyes fool you: they can hunt down a badger.
Which is the literal translation of their name.
Dachs means badger; hund means dog). Their medium-length ears have short feathers on them.
The most common colors for this dog are red, black and tan, and tan. However, they come in a variety of other colors like chocolate, black, cream as well. Males stand 8 to 9 inches tall and weigh 9 to 32 pounds.
Being another dog that adapts well to apartment living, it’s good for new owners and proves to be a friendly companion.
Their history dates back to the 15th century. Hunting badgers were not their only specialty; they used to hunt foxes and deer as well. The refined breed that we see today was created around the 18th century in Germany.
There are a few caveats though.
Dachshunds bark frequently and loudly.
They have great energy, and can be picky about the weather. And not to mention, how difficult they are to potty train. However, their cute eyes will make you fall in love with them easily.
5. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu in Chinese means lion dog. Historians can’t agree on its exact origins. However, it is considered one of the oldest breeds in the world. Some Chinese paintings from the 6th century B.C. are believed to be showing Shih Tzu.
They were considered holy by Tibetan monks. Not only that, they were the official dog breed of the Ming dynasty. Having a Shih Tzu around the house is like having a history class itself.
They have drop ears that are covered with thick hair. Males stand 9 to 10.5 inches tall and weigh 9-16 pounds. They are slightly longer than being tall. They can have a long life expectancy of up to 18 years.
This breed comes in different color combinations: black and white, gray and white, or red and white. Having an average amount of energy, this breed has exercise requirements of less than 20 minutes a day.
Don’t give them too many treats, because they can become obese quickly.
They get along with other pets and children easily. Overall, they are very lively and friendly which makes them a great choice for a family pet.
6. Maltese
This cute, gentle dog comes from the toy group family. They also have feathered, floppy ears that are faced downwards.
The silky pure white coat, black eyes and tiny stature make them a breed which is very easy on the eye.
Males stand 7 to 9 inches tall and weigh under 7 pounds. Maltese only have one coat colour, pure white.
However, due to a lack of sunlight, their noses can turn from black to pink or light brown.
Do, Maltese dogs come from the island of Malta?
It is quite a contentious issue.
Some think that their history can be traced back to Malta when it was run by the Romans. Others don’t think that there is any real proof linking these dogs to the island.
Though they look so cute by appearance, they are very brave, loyal and vigilant and so if you ever need a 9 inch guard dog, this breed is for you.
They are lively, playful, and fun around the house. Their exercise requirements are 20 minutes per day. However, they can be picky eaters and difficult to potty train. And not to mention, the excessive barking that can be really annoying at times.
7. Miniature Poodle
They are regarded as “sissy dogs,” which couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, they tend to be very athletic. They have short, floppy ears that fold over close to the head.
This cute dog stands 7th on the AKC Breed Popularity list. Males stand 10-15 inches tall and weigh 10-15 pounds. They are easy to train and tend to be quite smart.
They have a life expectancy of up to 18 years which makes them one of the longest living dog breeds. They require a moderate exercise of 20 minutes daily. They come in many solid colors like white, cream, brown, silver, and blue.
Like many breeds, Poodles have an uncertain history.
Most agree that they originated in Germany.
Some people believe them to be a crossbreed of many European water dogs. Other people think that Asian herding dogs are their ancestors.
They were very rare in the U.S. before World War 2. However, during the 1950s, they gained popularity in the country.
They are very friendly, lively, and happy. Their adaptability with new owners and apartment living is very high. They are also good with the children so they turn out to be good companions and family-friendly.
There are some caveats though: if you aren’t consistent with training, they might become lazy and consider themselves as “alpha dogs.”
The Poodle coat needs a good amount of grooming to stay beautiful.
