If you’re a Spaniel or a Bloodhound, you answered that with a big “yes!” If you’re a Basset Hound, you’ve probably looked up sadly and said, “Compared to what?” Hound? “Well, no more than my flies.”

What are pendulum ears for?

Bassets and Bloodhounds are known for their ability to track by scent, and it seems their noses aren’t the only reason for their prowess. Those big floppy ears serve to “catch” the scent and help concentrate it near the nose where all those super powerful receptors are so the hound can have a better chance of absorbing it all.

A Basset Hound in Fulda, Germany now holds the title of “the longest ears in the world”. Jack’s ears are 1.09 feet long each and he apparently trips over his own ears sometimes. I bet no one asks Jack, “can you hear me now?”

Since spaniels and bloodhounds are both hunting breed groups, it’s a fair assumption to say that the reason they were bred to have long ears is probably for the same reason: to increase their olfactory abilities. It makes them smell better.

But not. Those floppy ears, especially the Spaniel type with the beautiful flowing coat, tend to be susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Yeast can be a terrible problem for dogs with long, shaggy ears. If you catch it early, it’s usually not too difficult to treat. A good high-protein, low-carb diet with probiotic supplementation is often recommended by more holistic nutritionists and veterinary care professionals, as maintaining a top-notch immune system and well-balanced internal pH can be critical in fixing problems , and even more. in making sure they don’t come back, or that they start in the first place.

A dog with infected ears will tend to shake its head. You will begin to notice an odor coming from the ears; the odor will vary depending on what the underlying cause or causes of the infection are. You may see the dog pawing at his ears, even trying to get his rear paw into his ear, rubbing his head against anything and everything. It’s a pathetic sight, and sometimes you’ll hear plaintive moans that accompany the rubbing and scratching.

Some prophylactic steps owners of long-eared dogs can take are to keep their ears scrupulously clean. Never use anything harsh to clean ears; you want the pH to remain as balanced as possible. A mild sulfur-based cleanser or one that has a neutral pH is often recommended. Cleaning the ears (or any sensitive skin areas) with a 50/50 dilution of apple cider vinegar and water will also help maintain an optimal balance.

You want to keep those ears dry too. When they get wet, dry them as quickly as possible. Don’t go crazy and start pointing the hair dryer at your dog’s ears! That’s too loud and too hot, too much air, and if you try, chances are you’ll never touch those ears again without it becoming a roundabout way.

Keeping long ear hairs that grow near the ear cavity short and out of the way can also help prevent infection problems. Some dogs may need to have their ear hair plucked if it grows too close to the ear canal, or if they have a tendency to develop hairballs too close to the canal.

People who show their long-eared dogs have, for many years, worn earmuffs to keep those carefully groomed flaps out of food, water, brambles, and the general wear and tear of everyday life. They are becoming more common with no-show owners and can be found in a wide variety of colors, patterns, fabrics and price ranges, and there are specially designed food and water bowls to keep long ears from getting wet.

So, for all those with floppy-eared hounds and spaniels, “ears for you.”