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11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears

By Top Dog Site Editorial Team · Published 2026-08-24

Golden Retriever sitting on grass

The practical question behind 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears is not which dog wins a ranking. It is which candidates genuinely share the named trait, and what an owner gives up in exchange. Here, long eared guides the selection.

Breed tendencies narrow a search; they do not predict an individual dog. Health, age, upbringing and the match between breeder or rescue placement and household remain decisive.

Quick comparison

Breed or typeSizeEnergyCoat careWhy it is here
Bluetick Coonhoundlargehighlowlong eared; cold-nosed tracking
Basset Houndmediumlowlowlong eared; slow scent hunting
Treeing Walker Coonhoundlargevery highlowlong eared; fast scent pursuit and treeing
Black and Tan Coonhoundlargehighlowlong eared; night scent trailing and treeing
Redbone Coonhoundlargehighlowlong eared; endurance scent hunting
Rhodesian Ridgebacklargehighlowlong eared; tracking and holding large game at bay
Dutch Shepherdlargevery highlowlong eared; herding and modern service work
Giant Schnauzerlargehighhighlong eared; cattle driving and property guarding
Staffordshire Bull Terriermediumhighlowlong eared; compact bull-and-terrier work followed by companionship
Vizslalargevery highlowlong eared; Hungarian pointing and retrieving
Standard Poodlelargehighhighlong eared; water retrieving and versatile performance work

1. Bluetick Coonhound

Bluetick Coonhound earns a place in 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears because its long eared traits are visible in ordinary life, not just in photographs. Bluetick Coonhound was shaped for cold-nosed tracking. The work behind the breed still shows up at home: it can work methodically over long distances. Expect high exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: baying, wandering and independent decisions challenge suburban life. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

2. Basset Hound

11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears needs more than a list of attractive names. Basset Hound is relevant here because of its long eared background. Basset Hound was shaped for slow scent hunting. In a household, the practical result is a dog that usually prefers deliberate walks full of sniffing. Expect low exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: ears, skin, weight and back strain need active care. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

3. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The case for including Treeing Walker Coonhound in 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears rests on long eared, along with the way the breed was developed to work. Treeing Walker Coonhound was shaped for fast scent pursuit and treeing. Day to day, it covers ground quickly and enjoys sustained work. Expect very high exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: high prey drive and volume make secure rural outlets preferable. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

4. Black and Tan Coonhound

Black and Tan Coonhound earns a place in 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears because its long eared traits are visible in ordinary life, not just in photographs. Black and Tan Coonhound was shaped for night scent trailing and treeing. In a household, the practical result is a dog that needs room for nose-led exercise and has a resonant voice. Expect high exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: baying and roaming are poor matches for close neighbors. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

5. Redbone Coonhound

Redbone Coonhound earns a place in 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears because its long eared traits are visible in ordinary life, not just in photographs. Redbone Coonhound was shaped for endurance scent hunting. The work behind the breed still shows up at home: it is athletic, sociable and driven by odor. Expect high exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: voice and prey drive require secure management. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

6. Rhodesian Ridgeback

For the question behind 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears, Rhodesian Ridgeback stands out for tracking and holding large game at bay. Rhodesian Ridgeback was shaped for tracking and holding large game at bay. That background matters because the breed needs endurance exercise and firm but fair training. Expect high exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: independence and prey drive can overwhelm an unprepared household. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

7. Dutch Shepherd

The case for including Dutch Shepherd in 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears rests on herding and modern service work, along with the way the breed was developed to work. Dutch Shepherd was shaped for herding and modern service work. Day to day, it responds well to precise training and frequent mental work. Expect very high exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: high arousal and work ethic require more than casual walks. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

8. Giant Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzer earns a place in 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears because its cattle driving and property guarding traits are visible in ordinary life, not just in photographs. Giant Schnauzer was shaped for cattle driving and property guarding. In a household, the practical result is a dog that is engaged, athletic and naturally watchful. Expect high exercise demand and high coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: coat work, intensity and suspicion require experienced ownership. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

9. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears needs more than a list of attractive names. Staffordshire Bull Terrier is relevant here because of its compact bull-and-terrier work followed by companionship background. Staffordshire Bull Terrier was shaped for compact bull-and-terrier work followed by companionship. That background matters because the breed packs athletic play into a smaller, people-focused body. Expect high exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: dog selectivity and physical exuberance still need management. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

10. Vizsla

The case for including Vizsla in 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears rests on Hungarian pointing and retrieving, along with the way the breed was developed to work. Vizsla was shaped for Hungarian pointing and retrieving. The work behind the breed still shows up at home: it combines endurance with unusually close physical attachment. Expect very high exercise demand and low coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: sensitivity and alone-time difficulty make busy homes challenging. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

11. Standard Poodle

Standard Poodle earns a place in 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears because its water retrieving and versatile performance work traits are visible in ordinary life, not just in photographs. Standard Poodle was shaped for water retrieving and versatile performance work. That background matters because the breed learns quickly and adapts when given exercise and mental variety. Expect high exercise demand and high coat maintenance as a starting point, then adjust for the individual dog's age and health. The trade-off is clear: professional grooming or skilled home clipping is non-negotiable. Meet the individual dog, ask about health testing and temperament, and judge whether that compromise fits the household rather than choosing on the label alone.

A safer way to choose

For 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears, write down the hours available for exercise and training, the amount of shedding or clipping you will accept, the dog's likely adult size, and constraints involving children, other animals, landlords, insurers or local rules. Remove every candidate whose hardest trait conflicts with the household. A quieter or smaller dog is not automatically easier, and a friendly breed is not automatically safe without supervision.

Short answers before you decide

Does breed determine temperament?

No. Breed history influences probability, while genetics, early learning, health and current environment shape the individual. For 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears, use both levels of information.

Is the first dog in the table the best?

No. The order makes this 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears list readable; it is not a scientific ranking. The best fit is the dog whose needs the household can meet consistently.

What should I ask a breeder or rescue?

For a 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears shortlist, ask about health screening, adult relatives or known history, behavior around handling and other animals, recovery after stress, daily exercise, grooming and the placement support offered after adoption.

What should decide it for 11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears

11 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears should leave you with a shorter, more realistic shortlist rather than a winner. Compare the difficult traits first. If the household can comfortably manage those, the appealing qualities have room to matter.

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