The long ears characteristic of scent hounds and other tracking breeds are theorized to aid in the transmission of olfactory cues from their environments to the dogs' acute nostrils.
Long ears are a distinctive feature of many dog breeds, and while you probably won't need your dog to use them to locate your next meal, they're still adorable.
It's possible that the Bloodhound is the most well-known canine with elongated ears. Since the Middle Ages, this large and friendly breed has been lending a hand to people in scent tracking and hunting.
This ancient breed's beginnings are murky at best, likely dating back to before the written word was even invented. We do know that they originated in various parts of Afghanistan.
The American Cocker Spaniel, the Field Spaniel, and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are all examples of spaniels, and all three of these breeds share the characteristic of having long ears.
This list just wouldn't be complete without the endearing Basset Hound, a breed that is as well-known for their agreeable demeanor as they are for their impressive ears.
Beagles have consistently held a place among the ranks of the world's most popular canine varieties for some time now. This is due, in large part, to the outstanding reputation that they have as pets for families to keep.
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a prime example of the characteristic of long ears that is shared by many coonhound varieties. This smart American working breed makes use of both of their prominent ears.
The Havanese is one of the more compact dog breeds on this list. These intelligent canines have long ears that are in keeping with the size of their bodies and a silky hair that needs to be groomed on a regular basis.
The Lhasa Apso is a breed of dog that has its roots in Tibet and dates back more than 2,500 years. It has a thick, hardy coat and, as you might have surmised, some seriously long ears.
This list comes to a close with the Weimaraner, a breed of sporting dog that is both graceful and affectionate, and whose captivating eyes and hearing come in handy when they are out hunting.