A dog's ear type can help you identify its breed.
More than 150 dog breeds are registered with the American Kennel Club. Even though so many different breeds exist, many of them share physical characteristics. One of the major physical characteristics that make up the appearance and a particular breed is ear shape. Experts identify 10 main categories of dog ears.
Bat Ears
Bat ears are forward-facing, upright ears that are wider at the base and narrower at their rounded tips. They are wide set and usually large in proportion to the dog's head. A Chihuahua is an example of a breed with bat ears.
Blunt-Tipped Ears
Blunt-tipped ears are erect with rounded tips. A chow-chow's ears, for example, have rounded or blunt tips rather than pointed tips.
Button Ears
Button ears are erect ears that fold forward, covering the ear canal. Many breeds of terrier have button ears, including the Jack Russell terrier.
Candle-Flame Ears
Candle-flame ears are specific to the English toy terrier. They are erect, forward facing, wide-set and pointed at the tips.
Cocked Ears
Cocked ears are erect ears that fold only slightly, unlike the button ear that folds forward completely. Rough collies have a cocked ear. Rose ears are a cocked ear that folds slightly, but points backwards as on the greyhound.
Cropped Ears
A cropped ear is a surgically altered ear that is made to stand erect. This is a common practice for breeds like the Doberman pinscher.
Drop Ears
Drop ears are a much less specific category than some of the other types. "Drop" simply means that the ear hangs down at the side of the head. The ears may be short or long, fully dropped or folded.
Filbert Ears
Filbert ears are found on the Bedlington terrier. It is a hanging ear and is shaped like a filbert or hazel nut.
Prick Ears
A prick ear is an upright ear with tips that may be pointed or erect. The hooded ear is a type of erect ear found on the basenji in which both edges of the ear curve forward. A German shepherd has the classic example of a prick ear.
V-Shaped Ears
V-shaped ears are long and shaped like an upside-down triangle. Most often, they are drop ears. They can be found on the bull mastiff.
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