Imagine a dog running towards you with excitement.
Doesn’t that image put a smile on your face?
Dogs have been known to be loyal companions to us humans for as long as we can remember.
I mean, it’s hard to resist their puppy eyes, adorable whining, and floppy ears.
A dog’s floppy ears are probably one of the features that make them so adorable.
Let’s dig deeper and learn more about rose ears.
What are rose ears?
Rose ears are an ear type that is erected at the base with the tip folding backward resembling the rose’s petals.
Why do certain breeds have them?
Dog breeds such as Greyhounds and Whippers have rose-ears as they are bred for running.
Their ear shapes give them a more efficient and smooth galloping.
What are other similar types of ear shapes in dogs?
- Semi-erect ears – the ears are in an upright position with the tip bending forward. These ears are found in breeds such as Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs.
- Button ears – is similar to semi-erect ears with the fold covering more of the dog’s ear. Dogs such as Jack Parson Terrier have this kind of ear.
- Candle-flame ears – where the ears are bent halfway and look like a candle flame. English Toy Terriers are known to have this type of ear.
- Filbert ears – the ears are triangular in shape with a small tassel of fur on their tips. This ear type can only be found in a Bedlington terrier.
Now that we had a chance to talk about the dogs’ ear types, it’s time to see the breeds that were gifted to have “rose ears”:
Greyhound
Greyhound is usually bred for coursing games due to its streamlined physique and its athletic abilities.
They are also known as English Greyhounds.
These dogs are low-maintenance, need minimal exercise, and spend most of their day dozing.
Greyhounds puppies can grow up to 71-76 cm / 28-30 inches and could weigh to 27-40 kg / 60-88 lbs in their adult life.
They have an average lifespan of up to 15 years old so this dog can be your companion for quite a long time.
Their rose-shaped ears help them to be quick and are a perfect breed for racing in which they are known in.
Their coats require very minimal grooming and are naturally smooth. Their most common colors are brindle, black, and red.
Greyhounds are also one of the oldest breeds and have been found drawn in early cave illustrations.
They are also the only breed recognized in the bible!
Whippet
Whippets are dogs that are bred for racing due to their muscular and slender build.
These dogs love warm surfaces and cuddling with their owners for warmth.
They also love getting on top of furniture as they hate cold surfaces.
Whippet puppies can grow up to 53 cm / 21 inches and weigh up to 11-18 kg / 25-40 lbs in their adult life. Whippets also have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years old.
Their naturally rose-shaped ears help them to run fast and created the canine sport, “competitive canine Frisbee catching”.
Ashley Whippet is known as the first disc dog and is a 3rd-time world champion of Frisbee catching.
They are child-friendly and require regular exercise.
However, whippets are not very social dogs so you will need to be careful when letting them meet new people or animals.
Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhounds are elegant, minute, and fast dogs.
They have the same build and speed as that of the Greyhounds.
They have got a slender build and narrow head like Greyhounds.
Their rose ears are usually tipping forward as puppies and start to open up and tip sideways as they grow into adulthood.
Italian Greyhounds can grow up to 36 cm / 14 inches and weigh up to 3-6 kg / 7-14 lbs in their adult life.
These miniature dogs have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years old.
They require a lot of attention and will prefer to sleep on your lap or your bed.
Italian Greyhounds are naturally gentle and amiable dogs which can make them an attention hog.
These dogs bark to alert their owners of any strangers that approach them.
However, they’re friendly with cats and other small dogs.
English Bulldog
English bulldogs are one of the most popular breeds by dog owners.
These dogs are known to be great companions and can adapt to any place.
They have loose skin, scrunched faces, a pressed nose, and a muscular physique.
If you plan on joining your bulldog in competitions, having rose ears is considered the most ideal ear shape for English Bulldogs.
English Bulldogs can grow up to 36-38 cm / 14-15 inches and weigh up to 22.5 kg / 50 lbs, short yet bulky.
These miniature dogs have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years old. They need regular exercise along with a healthy and balanced diet.
These dogs prefer to spend most of their time in the cold area of your house as the hot weather can cause difficulty breathing due to their short snouts.
They are wonderful family pets but can become aggressive to unfamiliar dogs.
Pug
Pug is another favorite dog breed with millions of fans due to its size and easygoing attitude.
In the past, these dogs were originally bred in China and sought after by Chinese emperors to be their loyal companions.
These royal dogs even had to be guarded by soldiers.
Pugs can grow up to 28 cm / 11 inches and weigh up to 6-8 kg / 14-18 lbs in their adult life.
These popular breeds have an average lifespan of 12 – 15 years old and are great companions to have in your life.
Their rose-ears are usually a darker color than their body and due to its shape, are more likely to be prone to ear infections.
Pugs are low maintenance and need daily walks to prevent any weight problems.
They are very friendly to almost everyone and are not good watchdogs to have.
They are very sociable dogs and can get along with other pets that you may have.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier can sometimes be mistaken as a Pitbull Terrier due to their resembling appearance.
Unlike Pitbull Terriers, these dogs are not as bulky and are bred to become show dogs.
They are great playmates and guardians for your children and are even called “nanny dogs” due to their gentle and fun personality.
Their rose-ears are usually cropped for a desirable and more ferocious look for this dog breed. However, a lot of dog associations have completely advised against this practice.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier can grow up to 36-40 cm / 14-16 inches and weigh up to 13-17 kg / 28-38 lbs.
These miniature dogs have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years old. They have a short and shiny coat that comes in different colors
They require proper exercise with having to spend both inside and outside of the house.
They do not get along with other dogs and should be careful when mingling with other dogs.
Smooth/Wire Fox Terrier
Wire Fox Terriers are great pets if you are looking for a friendly and lively dog.
They are great master show dogs due to their handsome physique and coat.
However, Wire Fox Terriers who have rose-shaped ears are disqualified from joining American dog shows.
Their rose-ears can also be very uncooperative as either one or both ears are in an upright position.
Wire Fox Terrier can grow up to 38 cm / 15 inches and weigh up to 8 kg / 18 lbs.
These master show dogs have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years old.
Their coat is mostly white with brown and black patches, rough, and curly.
These dogs require regular grooming to keep their coat sleek and are high maintenance dogs.
They love to please their owners and are full of energy that makes them a great playmate for children.
They need regular daily walks to keep this sleek physique.
Closing Thoughts
Now those are dogs that are known to have rose-ears and hope you learned a thing or two about them!
If you do plan on getting a dog, always do your research about the breed first.
As for dog breeds that have rose-ears, they are usually more prone to ear infections, and keep in mind that regular ear cleanings will be needed.
From all of the breeds above, we can say that the most popular breed nowadays would be the pugs.
They are the perfect dog breed for first-time dog owners due to their small size, squashed face, and friendly personality.
They also have a huge number of fans with memes being created to portray real-life situational jokes.
I think we will see more future dog owners getting a pug as their pet in the coming years.
This breed has really stood the test of time originating from China as royal dogs to our now beloved pets at home.
Dogs nowadays make a really good companion especially after a long hectic day at work.
They are ready to welcome you with their wagging tail and play with you anytime.
I mean, who doesn’t want to be welcomed by a playful dog? I know I do!
