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13 Dog Breeds with Bat Ears

13 Dog Breeds with Bat Ears

When embarking on the journey of choosing a dog, you’ll encounter endless options.

According to the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), there are 354 globally recognized dog breeds, with numerous others not meeting FCI standards.

So, as you prepare to welcome a furry companion into your home, decisions on size, breed, gender, coat type, color, and more await.

The shape of the ears is another factor to contemplate. Specifically, you may be drawn to dogs with distinctive bat-like ears, offering a unique charm.

 If this category piques your interest, you’re in for a treat. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of dog breeds boasting this distinctive feature.

What Are Bat Ears?

As their name suggests, bat ears resemble those of a bat.

Essentially, they are large, upright, and tend to angle outward a bit, extending beyond the side of the dog’s face.

In other words, they are broad at the bottom, elongated, and end with a rounded tip.

Most bat ears appear to be disproportionate to the dog’s head.

Why Should You Choose A Dog With Bat Ears?

I. An indication of a natural breed

Although not always the case, dogs with pointy, upright, or bat ears are one of the indications that a dog breed has developed over the years due to naturally occurring adaptations.

In other words, it shows that a dog breed has evolved without purposeful human intervention, or what’s commonly referred to as selective breeding.

Past studies have shown a close correlation between a dog’s original purpose and whether or not they have upright, erect ears.

For instance, dogs that were originally bred for herding still manifest certain traits that result in pointy, upright ears, which some selectively bred lap dogs may not have.

II. They are undeniably cute

This is a no-brainer. Dogs with bat ears tend to possess one of the cutest facial features, something every dog owner may want to showcase on social media.

Have you ever noticed how your pup’s ears perk up when he’s excited? Well, bat ears take this to another level.

III. Better sense of hearing, air circulation, and thermoregulation

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, bat ears offer numerous functional benefits, including:

  • Enhanced Sound Reception: Thanks to their large surface area for the collection of sound waves, dogs with pointy or bat ears, especially working breeds or guard dogs, can pick up on distant sounds better. This allows them to perform their job to the best of their ability.
  • Effective Temperature Regulation: The ample surface area of bat ears aids in dissipating excess heat, helping dogs stay cooler in hot weather.
  • Improved Air Circulation: The open structure of bat ears promotes better air circulation, which can prevent moisture buildup and reduce the risk of ear infections. This is particularly beneficial for breeds prone to ear issues.

Disclaimer:

There is no proven correlation between bat ears and a dog’s personality. Some people may believe that dogs with pointy or bat ears exhibit higher levels of aggression, but this is not true. The presence of bat or pointy ears does not indicate any particular personality trait.

The 13 Dog Breeds with Bat Ears

Even within the category of bat-eared dog breeds, there is still a wide variety of dogs, all differing in shapes, sizes, and personality traits.

To make your choice easier, here’s a quick list of the top 13 dogs with bat ears, along with a few parameters such as traits, size, origin, and other fun facts.

1. German Shepherd

Breed Overview:

Group: Herding (AKC)

Height: 23 to 26 inches

Weight: 50 to 90 pounds

Temperament: Aloof, anxious, playful, friendly, gentle

The German shepherd or GSD is a lovable dog with a good reputation.

She is popular mainly for her amazing working abilities. From sniffing drugs at the borders and airports to fighting along with human troops to offering therapeutic services in hospitals, the GSD can do it all.

One of the most notable features of the breed is her huge pointy ears. It is what gives the breed its regal looks that we love so much. 

The ears make her appear alert and aware of her surroundings at all times.

At birth, German shepherds feature floppy ears but as they grow up, the ears stand up and remain that way until the end of life.

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2. Bull Terrier

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Breed Overview:

Group: Terrier (AKC)

Height: 21 to 22 inches

Weight: 50 to 70 pounds

Temperament: Gentle, friendly, outgoing, and willful

Also called the ‘Frankenweenie”, the Bull terrier is another breed with bat ears.

The original bull terriers actually had floppy ears. However, with the introduction of ear cropping, the breed’s ear shape changed to pointy.

Even after some countries banned ear cropping, the breed retained its new look and is rocking it to this day.

Besides their bat ears, bull terriers are known for their playful, charming, and affectionate dispositions.

If you are looking for a pet that loves every member of the family (including strangers) and requires very little in the way of maintenance, Bull Terrier fits the bill.

3. Chihuahua

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Breed Overview:

Group: Toy (AKC)

Height: 6 to 9 inches

Weight: 2 to 6 pounds

Temperament: Anxious, playful, gentle

This toy breed of a dog may be small but her ears are quite the contrary. They certainly steal the attention almost every time.

The ears are larger in proportion to the dog’s head and body, making him a perfect example of a bat eared dog.

When she is attentive, the ears become even more erect.

Unfortunately, some Chis need help to get their ears to stand upright. This type doesn’t develop strong enough muscles to push the ears upwards.

In such a case, taping and other techniques of stimulating upright standing ears always come in handy.

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4. Australian Cattle Dog

Breed Overview:

Group: Herding (AKC)

Height: 17 to 20 inches

Weight: 32 to 45 pounds

Temperament: Playful, willful

The Australian cattle dog is an intelligent and active dog breed.

As the name suggests, the pooch was bred to herd livestock in Australia.

Although it is now domesticated, some people still put her to work in their cattle ranches.

The breed is strong and agile, making her great for watching over sheep and cattle.

She can chase down any animal that brings danger to the livestock.

The breed can also hunt when she’s required to.

Her ears are upright and erect like those of a corgi.

5. Corgi

Breed Overview:

Group: Herding (AKC)

Height: 10 to 12 inches

Weight: 22 to 31 pounds

Temperament: Playful, friendly, outgoing, willful

Speaking of the corgi, this is also among the top dog breeds with bat ears.

Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi have ears that point to the sky.

This, combined with their fox-like appearance, makes the breed incredibly cute.

They are born with floppy ears like most breeds on this list but as their muscles gain enough strength, the ears become erect. This happens at around 8 weeks with some taking more time than others.

Either way, this royal dog is lovable in more ways than one. This is why Queen Elizabeth II has owned more than 30 of them in her lifetime.

Corgis are cute and have the best characters in the world.

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6. Rat Terrier

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Breed Overview:

Group: Terrier (AKC)

Height: 10 to 18 inches

Weight: 10 to 25 pounds

Temperament: Friendly, playful

Here’s another terrier bat ears dog.

The rat terrier is a small feisty breed known for having a high prey drive.

No doubt, he can chase after rats, birds, moving cars, and pretty much anything that moves at home.

He was named a rat terrier as he was bred to hunt jackrabbits in the Midwest. In other areas, the breed was kept in farms to keep squirrels and other small mammals away.

Now, the breed is an affectionate little pet that bonds with the family deeply.

While most rat terriers have bat ears, others have floppy ears and others button ears.

Each type comes in handy during hunting and doesn’t make one lesser characteristic than another.

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7. Ibizan Hound

Breed Overview:

Group: Hound

Height: 22 to 27 inches

Weight: 45 to 50 pounds

Temperament: Outgoing, playful, friendly, gentle

The Ibizan Hound is famed for its prominent bat-like ears.

Originally bred for hunting rabbits and other small game on the rocky shores of the Balearic island of Ibiza, it bears a resemblance to a more reserved version of the greyhound.

They thoroughly enjoy pampering and would readily trade a soft bed for the thrill of hunting or running.

However, true to their heritage, they’re remarkably light on the feet and possess the protective instincts typical of a sighthound.

8. Portuguese Podengo

Breed Overview:

Group: Hound (AKC)

Height: 8 to 28 inches

Weight: 10 to 66 pounds

Temperament: Aloof, playful

Like the rat terrier, the Portuguese Podengo is a renowned hunting breed from Portugal.

The larger variety was mainly developed to hunt big game like the boar and deer while the small one was bred to hunt rabbits.

Both versions have pointy, bat ears that help them during the hunt. This coupled with their agile bodies and intelligent minds make Podengos excellent hunters are pets.

9. Basenji

Breed Overview:

Group: Hound (AKC)

Height: 16 to 17inches

Weight: 22 to 24 pounds

Temperament: Friendly, gentle, aloof, playful, willful

The Basenji or the ‘African barkless’ dog is a unique breed originating from the continent of Africa.

The dog is known for many things, one of which is her inability to bark like her counterparts.

The Basenji is typically the only breed that cannot bark. Instead, she yodels, growls, howls, and makes a range of other human-like noises to communicate.

The breed is also known for her glistening short coat, wrinkled forehead, curled tail, signature bat ears, and expressive almond eyes. Her body is muscular with a slightly light build.

Looks aside, the Basenji is full of affection towards the family but not strangers.

 She loves to chase (although she may not fetch), hang out with the family and just be silly.

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10. Belgian Malinois

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Breed Overview:

Group: Herding (AKC)

Height: 22 to 24 inches

Weight: 40 to 80 pounds

Temperament: Aloof, gentle, playful

Back in the day, the Belgian Malinois had only one job – herding cattle.

He was bred in Belgium to watch over large herds of livestock.

Thanks to his stamina, agility, fearlessness, and intelligence, the breed excelled at his job.

Nowadays, he does police and military work for the most part and does an equally good job.

He also watches over the family when he is put to the task or just hangs with his owners without doing much.

A Belgian Malinois has floppy ears as a puppy but after a few weeks of life, the ears will become erect and pointed.

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11. Berger Picard

Breed Overview:

Group: Herding (AKC)

Height: 21 to 25 inches

Weight: 50 to 70 pounds

Temperament: Friendly, willful

The Berger Picard is a rather rare dog but one that deserves more attention.

The place of origin is Picardy in France where the breed was developed to herd livestock.

He is right for you if you are after assertive, intelligent, mellow, energetic, and mellow dogs.

Berger Picards love children a lot and can adjust to pretty much any living situation.

As long as they get enough daily activity and consistent training by a firm leader, they will exceed your expectations.

These dogs have colored long-haired coats, well-formed bodies, J-shaped tails, and pointy bat ears.

12. Boston Terrier

Breed Overview:

Group: Non-sporting (AKC)

Height: 15 to 17 inches

Weight: 12 to 25 pounds

Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, playful

Commonly referred to as the American Gentleman, the Boston terrier is a gentle, beautiful, and affectionate dog breed.

His tuxedo-like markings make him look like he is wearing some kind of a suit.

The breed has one of the best temperaments in the world. He is happy to show affection by snuggling with you and touching you. His affectionate nature never really gets old.

Boston terriers have small muscular, well-proportioned bodies complete with upright bat ears.

The chest is broad, the neck arched, and the back elongated.

Overall, this toy dog is easy on the eyes and sweet to own.

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13. French Bulldog

Breed Overview:

Group: Non-sporting

Height: 11 to 13 inches

Weight: 16 to 28 pounds

Temperament: Outgoing, playful, friendly, gentle

The French bulldog or Frenchie is a perfect companion for people looking for a stunning, loyal, affectionate, low-maintenance dog with bat ears.

The breed is big on affection. No matter your family’s setup (older kids, young kids, aged persons, pets, etc.), the dog will love everybody.

Don’t expect her to ward off strangers, though. Instead, she will lovingly welcome them home.

With a short smooth coat, her grooming requirements are less. Simply brush her once a week to keep loose hairs off your furniture and rugs.

What’s more, the Frenchie is laid back and doesn’t need plenty of daily activity to thrive.

Related Post: Pied French Bulldog: Facts You Need To Know Before Owning This Frenchie

Closing Thoughts

There you have it – 13 dogs with bat ears.

 The list could be longer but these are the leading ones to consider if you are into pointy, bat eared dogs.

Now you have a large pool to pick from. Make the right choice!

Last Updated on September 25, 2023 by

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