What kind of dogs have floppy ears

You should be aware that some dogs will simply never have their ears pricked up. Due to the type of breeding, some dogs always have floppy ears. These breeds include:. All dog breeds that have lop ears will have both ears lowered down. When one ear is flaccid and the other is not, it is likely a sign of a health problem. The pinna is the outer part of the ear. In dogs, they can be standing or flabby. As we have said before, it is normal for puppies to have lop ears depending on their breed.

It is even possible that two pups from the same litter have different degrees of flaccidity in the ears, and this is due to genetic inheritance from their parents. If you know that your puppy must have raised ears and has already reached the stage of development where it should have happened, it is important to know that there may be a problem. One of the most important is diet. Puppies will need a specific type of nutrition to grow properly. When they are not given enough protein and other vital nutrients, one or more of their ears may remain floppy.

There are also some medical conditions that prevent your ears from standing upright. We will detail them in the following sections. These pups are high energy and need at least an hour of exercise every day. They are also big shedders, so prepare yourself for regular grooming and regular vacuuming.

At some point, someone stuck a beret on a poodle and they got a reputation for being posh and standoffish. But poodles were actually bred to be companion dogs and are one of the friendliest and most loyal dog breeds out there. Poodles are also one of the most intelligent dog breeds, which means they are easy to train.

One of the other bonuses with poodles is that their tight coat does not shed, which can be important in households with an allergy sufferer. They do need to be groomed regularly, but this is something you have more control over. Poodles come in a range of sizes, including the standard, miniature, and the toy, so you can find one the right size for you.

Poodles cross-bred with labradors or golden retrievers, labradoodles or goldendoodles respectively, are also very popular. They combine the intelligence of the dogs, and shed much less than pure-bred labs and goldens. Setters are yet one more type of gundog, bred for hunting game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse. This is another happy and playful breed that makes a great family dog, as long as you have the time to care for them.

They have lots of energy and need a lot of daily exercise. Floppy ears are a result of the domestication of dogs, and in particular, the deliberate breeding of dogs for specific traits and to perform specific tasks. Scientists believe that floppy ears were actually an accidental development resulting from stem cells malfunctioning for an unknown reason as a result of humans actively breeding dogs for different traits. The trait of floppy ears then continued to be actively pursued through breeding, because they are just so cute.

They can still hear you rustle their food bag from a mile away and will come running! Before you start the cleaning process, remove excess hair from around the entrance to the ear canal.

This will improve both your access and your visibility when it comes to the cleaning process. You will want to distribute the cleaner around the ear, so once you have applied the cleaner, gently massage the ear flap and ear canal entrance. You will probably hear the liquid moving around the ear.

Once you have left the cleaner for the amount of time advised for the brand you are using, let your dog shake out the excess liquid. Be aware that this can be quite messy. Finally, use a cotton ball or something similar to clean out the entrance of the ear canal of debris that has been dislodged by the liquid. You probably need to repeat this process every two weeks for a dog with floppy ears, though you might need to do this more regularly in wet weather or if they are a swimmer, as they will have more moisture in and around the ears.

You can read more on how to clean and care for the ears of a labrador here. Floppy ears is a genetic mutation in some dog breeds that has occurred as a part of the domestication process.

Just make sure to check and clean their ears regularly as the moist, dark environment can become a growing ground for bacteria. If you have a breed of dog that is meant to have pricked ears, but they remain floppy, this could be a sign of several things. Excessive petting and rubbing of the ears can actually stunt their development and it can take longer for their ears to prick. Calcium deficiency can also be a problem.

This will sometimes be temporary while your pup is teething as their calcium is being used up elsewhere in their body. Most puppies are born with floppy ears, but at between four and seven months of age, their ears will start to prick up naturally. That is, if they are meant to have pricked-up ears. Many breeds of dogs have floppy ears as one of their characteristics, in which case, of course, their ears will stay floppy.

Also, leaving this dog alone can lead to some destructive behavior, not to mention a very broken heart. Early socialization and training can work wonders to curb these behaviors.

While not the longest ears of the pack, we believe they still qualify. Dachshunds are in fact part scent hound and have strong tracking and hunting instincts. Originally bred to hunt hare and badgers, these are surprisingly tough little companions with big hearts. The Dachshund can be described as curious, silly, alert, a little bit cautious of strangers, and always up for a good nap. Being a scent house these dogs also carry the usual stubborn traits notice a pattern yet?

Dachshund owners will often tell you about their struggles with potty training and excessive barking. You can learn more about wire haired dachshunds from our expert. One of the oldest breeds known to man, the Saluki is believed to have existed over 6, years ago. These dogs are depicted in ancient scriptures, pottery, and even Egyptian tombs. Their beautiful and exotic looking features attest to their ancient history.

The Saluki are somewhat shy and content to just be in your presence. However, they may not be too keen on showing affection. They often need time to warm up to you over a long period of time. They may understand your commands but choose to ignore them. Saluki have a calm and gentle demeanor, and much prefer a comfortable lifestyle that includes warm blankets and naps. Owners will often tell you about the nearly endless energy stores of this breed, running and playing for hours on end.

Combine that energy with their hunting and prey drive, and you have your hands full. Daily strenuous exercise is an absolute must. These dogs are quite literally party animals and are always ready for a good time.