Drop ear — Dogs

The story behind the answer

The ear in the image hangs down close to the head with the flap covering the ear canal—classic “drop” ears. This differs from prick ears (upright), button ears (small fold forward just covering the opening, like on Fox Terriers), and rose ears (folded back to reveal the inner ear, as in Greyhounds and Bulldogs).

Drop ears are common in Spaniels, Retrievers, and many scent hounds. Historically, their pendulous shape helped funnel scents toward the nose and offered protection when moving through brush. Because airflow is reduced, these ears can trap moisture, so they benefit from regular checks and gentle cleaning