Dogs with erect ears
Standing ears are often more impressive and intimidating than floppy ears. Dogs with erect ears are often not hunting dogs, but working dogs and very alert.
Dogs with prick ears - Attentive four-legged friends with a unique charm
Dogs with pointed prick ears are widely known and appreciated by dog lovers, not only for their appealing appearance, but also for their bright personality and diverse abilities. This blog post introduces some of the most popular dog breeds with pricked ears, explains their special characteristics and gives tips on how to care for their ears.
What do prick ears mean in dogs
- Appearance: Dogs with prick ears are characterized by their erect ears, which often have a striking coat pattern and give the dogs an alert and attentive appearance.
- Alertness and intelligence: Many dog breeds with prick ears are known for their alertness and intelligence, making them excellent watchdogs and working dogs.
- Temperament: Dogs with prick ears are usually energetic, alert and curious. Their personalities can range from loving and affectionate to independent and confident.
Tips for grooming prick ears
- Cleaning: Check your dog's ears regularly for dirt or wax build-up and clean them gently with a soft cloth or special ear cleaning products if necessary.
- Grooming: Make sure to brush and comb the fur around your dog's ears regularly to prevent matting and maintain ear health.
Protection from the cold: Some dog breeds with erect ears are more susceptible to the cold, especially those with thin or short coats. Make sure to protect your dog's ears in cold weather, e.g. by wearing dog hats or scarves.
Dog breeds that have pricked ears (with pictures)
Pricked ears are a distinctive feature found in many dog breeds. These ears stand upright and can vary in shape and size, but often give the dog an alert and energetic appearance. The following list presents some dog breeds that are known for their erect ears. Each description is accompanied by a picture to show the unique shape and structure of each breed's ears:
Old German Shepherd Dog
The Old German Shepherd is a variant of the German Shepherd and represents the more original lines of the breed. It is mainly distinguished by its long, dense coat with undercoat, which sets it apart from the more modern, short-haired versions of the German Shepherd. Coloring can vary, including shades of black, brown, gray and even sable.
The ears of the Old German Shepherd are one of the breed's defining characteristics and contribute to the dog's majestic appearance. They are of medium size and usually stand erect, being slightly rounded at the tip. The pricked ears of the Old German Shepherd not only serve aesthetic purposes, but also have a functional significance. This ear shape helps the dog to hear sounds from the environment better. The upright position allows them to pick up sound waves from different directions, making them excellent guards and working companions.
While the ears often hang down in puppies, they usually straighten up as the dog grows. This process can take longer in some dogs than others, and in rare cases an Old German Shepherd's ears may remain soft. The upright position of the ears is supported by cartilage, and it is important not to manipulate the ears unnecessarily during the growing phase as this can damage the cartilage and affect the uprighting of the ears.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a fascinating breed, known for its endurance, intelligence and independent nature. Originally bred to pull heavy loads over long distances in cold Siberia, they have evolved into popular companion dogs.
A characteristic feature of the Siberian Husky is its medium-sized pricked ears, which are erect, triangular and set wide apart. These ears not only contribute to the breed's appealing appearance, but also help to better pick up ambient sounds, which was an advantage in the harsh Arctic landscape.
The ears are densely furred and often have a black border, which contrasts nicely with the Husky's blue, brown or even heterochromatic eyes. The Siberian Husky's pricked ears are not only aesthetic but also functional, helping the dog to focus on its surroundings and react to potential danger or instructions from its human.
Papillon
The Papillon, also known as the butterfly dog, is a small and graceful breed, famous for its large erect ears that resemble butterfly wings. The prick ears are covered with long, silky hair and give the Papillon its distinctive appearance. This intelligent and lively dog is both a loving companion and a capable competitor in dog sports. The erect ears not only contribute to its aesthetic appearance, but also emphasize the alert and attentive nature of the Papillon. Their grooming is uncomplicated, but requires regular checks to ensure cleanliness and health.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs, often affectionately called "Frenchies", are a small and robust breed, known for their characteristic"bat ears". These ears stand wide apart, are unusually large and have a broad base with a rounded tip. They contribute significantly to the distinctive appearance of the French Bulldog and emphasize their inquisitive and alert nature. The ears require minimal grooming, but regular checks are important to ensure cleanliness and health. Despite their often serious facial expressions, Frenchies are known for their affectionate and playful personality, and their prominent ears contribute to the popularity of this charming and affectionate breed.
Corgi
Corgis, including the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi breeds, are famous for their characteristic large, upright ears. These ears, often described as"fox ears", are wide at the base and pointed at the ends. They give the Corgi its distinctive and inquisitive appearance, which is often emphasized by a cheerful and alert facial expression. The pricked ears contribute to the alert and intelligent nature of this breed, which was originally bred as a herding dog. Corgis are known for their friendly and affectionate personality and their ears play an important role in their communication, often acting as antennae that respond to sounds and commands. Ear care is straightforward but requires regular checks to maintain their health. Pictured here, by the way, is a Corgi mix.
Akita Inu
The Akita is a large and powerful breed that originated in Japan and is known for its loyalty and dignity. A striking feature of this impressive breed is its medium-sized, triangular pricked ears. The Akita's ears are proportionate to the head, thick, well erect and slightly tilted forward. They contribute to the balanced and harmonious appearance of the dog and emphasize its attentive and intelligent nature. By the way, the picture shows an Akita Pit (an Akita Inu Pitbull crossbreed). What a great and beautiful animal.
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua, one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, is known for its large, erect ears, which are often considered its most striking feature. These ears are wide at the base and become narrower towards the top, ending in a rounded or slightly pointed tip. Despite the Chihuahua's small size, the ears are a striking contrast to the rest of the body and give the dog a lively and alert appearance.
A Chihuahua's ears are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also serve as sensitive sensors that can pick up even the most subtle sounds. This contributes to the breed's alert and inquisitive nature.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier, often referred to simply as the "Yorkie", is a small and elegant breed known for its fine, silky coat and lively personality. A characteristic feature of the Yorkie is its small, V-shaped pricked ears. These ears are usually erect, with a slight overhang at the tips, and contribute to the dog's intelligent and alert appearance. The ears require minimal care, but regular checks for dirt or signs of infection are important. The Yorkshire Terrier's erect ears give it a unique silhouette and emphasize the elegant and proud stance that makes this breed a popular companion and show dog.
Podenco Ibicenco
The Podenco Ibicenco, also known as the Ibizan Hound, is an elegant and graceful breed that originates from the Balearic Islands. A striking feature of this sighthound breed is its large, erect ears, which can have a characteristic pink coloration. The ears are wide at the base and pointed, and they contribute significantly to the unique appearance of the Podenco Ibicenco. These ears are not only beautiful, but also functional, as they help the dog to recognize sounds, which improves its hunting abilities. The ears of the Podenco Ibicenco require little care, but should be checked regularly for cleanliness. Overall, the distinctive pricked ears add to the aesthetic appeal of this elegant and athletic breed and reflect its alert and watchful nature.
American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier is an unusual and striking breed, characterized primarily by its lack of fur. Despite its hairless body, the American Hairless Terrier has distinctive, medium-sized ears that stand upright and are V-shaped. These ears are a characteristic feature of the breed and give it a lively and alert appearance. The ears are set wide apart and are well erect, emphasizing the alert and intelligent nature of this terrier. Because the American Hairless Terrier has no hair, the ears are particularly susceptible to sunburn, and special care such as applying sunscreen may be required. Overall, the American Hairless Terrier's ears are a distinctive and characteristic feature that contributes to the uniqueness of this curious and energetic breed.
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is one of the oldest and smallest Japanese dog breeds and is known for its independent and alert nature. A characteristic feature of the Shiba Inu is its small, triangular pricked ears, which are well erect and slightly tilted forward. These ears contribute to the alert and intelligent appearance of the Shiba Inu and emphasize its lively and energetic personality. The ears are usually firm and well-shaped, with a broad base and a slightly rounded tip. Grooming a Shiba Inu's ears is simple, but requires regular checks for cleanliness and health. Overall, the Shiba Inu's distinctive ears are an important aesthetic feature that adds to the appeal of this proud and confident breed.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent and hard-working dog breeds and is known for its exceptional herding abilities. The ears of a Border Collie are variable and can be fully erect or semi-erect, often with one or both ears folded back at the tips. This variety in ear position contributes to the expressiveness and characteristics of the Border Collie and emphasizes its alert and focused nature. The ears are medium sized, well proportioned and in harmony with the head. As Border Collies often work outdoors, regular checking and cleaning of the ears is important to maintain their health. Overall, the Border Collie's ears contribute to the distinctive appearance of this intelligent and energetic breed and are a reflection of their agile and alert personality.
More dogs with prick ears that you need to get to know
Pricked ears are a distinctive and often beloved feature of many dog breeds. From the elegant, large ears of the Podenco Ibicenco to the characteristic fox ears of the Corgi, pricked ears give many dogs a distinctive silhouette and emphasize their individual personalities. The shape and size of the ears can reveal a lot about the character and history of a breed, and they often contribute to the dog's functionality, especially when it comes to hunting or working. Whether as a symbol of alertness, intelligence or simply as a charming external feature, pricked ears are popular with many dog lovers. In the following, we will introduce some other dog breeds that are known for their prick ears.
- 1. Laekenois Watchdog, Working Dog, Hunting Dog
- 2. Tervueren Family Dog, Police Dog, Searchdog
- 3. Canaan dog Watchdog, Working Dog
- 4. Peruvian naked dog Watchdog, Companion Dog
- 5. Cairn Terrier Family Dog
- 6. Jämthund Herding Dog, Working Dog, Hunting Dog
- 7. Swedish Lapphund Watchdog, Companion Dog, Herding Dog
- 8. Welsh sheepdog Herding Dog, Working Dog, Sheepdog
- 9. Pomeranian Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 10. Norwegian Elkhound grey Working Dog
- 11. Small spitz Watchdog, Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 12. Dutch shepherd dog Companion Dog, Herding Dog, Police Dog
- 13. American Akita Watchdog, Companion Dog
- 14. Finnish spitz Hunting Dog
- 15. Thai ridgeback Hunting Dog
- 16. Norwegian elkhound black Hunting Dog, Family Dog
- 17. Japanese Spitz Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 18. Australian Silky Terrier Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 19. Kelpie Working Dog, Sheepdog
- 20. Australian Cattle Dog Herding Dog
- 21. Thai Bangkaew Dog Watchdog, Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 22. Grandspitz Watchdog, Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 23. Australian terrier Companion Dog, Family Dog, Sheepdog
- 24. Shikoku Watchdog, Companion Dog, Hunting Dog
- 25. Dwarf Pinscher Family Dog
- 26. Coyote
- 27. Cirneco dell' Etna Companion Dog, Hunting Dog
- 28. Västgötaspets Companion Dog, Herding Dog, Family Dog
- 29. Scottish terrier Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 30. Norbottenspitz Watchdog, Companion Dog, Hunting Dog
- 31. Samoyed Family Dog
- 32. Combai Working Dog, Hunting Dog
- 33. Elo Family Dog
- 34. New Guinea Singing dog Watchdog, Companion Dog
- 35. Biewer Terrier Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 36. Finnish Lapponion Dog Companion Dog, Herding Dog, Family Dog
- 37. White Shepherd dog Herding Dog, Family Dog, Sheepdog
- 38. Keeshond Family Dog
- 39. American Dingo Watchdog
- 40. Berger de Picardy Companion Dog, Herding Dog, Family Dog
- 41. Prague Ratter Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 42. Alaskan husky Sled dog
- 43. Greenland Dog Hunting Dog, Sled dog
- 44. McNab Herding Dog, Working Dog
- 45. Podengo Português Hunting Dog, Family Dog
- 46. Czechoslovakian Wolfhound Working Dog, Sheepdog
- 47. Welsh Corgi Pembroke Watchdog, Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 48. Canadian Eskimo Dog Working Dog, Hunting Dog, Sled dog
- 49. Malinois Working Dog, Police Dog
- 50. Kishu Hunting Dog, Wild Boar Hunting dog
- 51. German Shepherd Watchdog, Herding Dog, Working Dog
- 52. Boston Terrier Family Dog
- 53. Xoloitzcuintle Watchdog, Family Dog
- 54. Mudi Herding Dog, Shepherd Dog
- 55. English Toy Terrier Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 56. Chinese Crested Dog Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 57. Chongqing Dog Companion Dog
- 58. Norwegian Lundehund Hunting Dog, Family Dog
- 59. Northern Inuit Dog Working Dog, Sled dog
- 60. Shorthaired collie Herding Dog
- 61. Bull Terrier Watchdog, Companion Dog
- 62. East Siberian laïka Working Dog, Hunting Dog, Race Dog
- 63. Eurasier Family Dog
- 64. Chow Chow Watchdog
- 65. Belgian shepherd dog Working Dog, Police Dog, Searchdog
- 66. Saarloos Wolfhond Working Dog, Family Dog, Sheepdog
- 67. Decker Hunting Terrier Companion Dog, Hunting Dog, Family Dog
- 68. Miniature Bull Terrier Family Dog
- 69. Alaskan Malamute Watchdog, Working Dog, Sled dog
- 70. Norwich Terrier Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 71. Pastor Garafiano Herding Dog, Working Dog, Family Dog
- 72. Timberwolf
- 73. Schipperke Watchdog, Family Dog
- 74. German Spitz Family Dog
- 75. Kai Hunting Dog
- 76. American Eskimo Dog Watchdog, Family Dog
- 77. Norwegian Buhund Watchdog, Herding Dog
- 78. Kelb tal-Fenek Hunting Dog, Race Dog
- 79. Volpino Italiano Watchdog, Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 80. Icelandic Sheepdog Herding Dog
- 81. Australian Shepherd Herding Dog, Sheepdog
- 82. Karelian bear dog Hunting Dog
- 83. American Rat Terrier Hunting Dog, Family Dog
- 84. Croatian sheepdog Watchdog, Sheepdog
- 85. Ardennes driving dog Working Dog, Hunting Dog, Shepherd Dog
- 86. Korea Jindo Dog Watchdog, Companion Dog
- 87. West Siberian Laika Hunting Dog
- 88. Basenji Hunting Dog
- 89. West Highland White Terrier Companion Dog, Family Dog
- 90. Lapland reindeer dog Companion Dog, Herding Dog
- 91. Groenendael Family Dog, Sheepdog