15 Small Dog Breeds with Floppy Ears

Dogs come in so many beautiful shapes and sizes. Some pups are big, while others are tiny. They can have a few different ear shapes, including upright, floppy, and partially floppy.

These different ear shapes provide various benefits. Read on to learn about 15 adorable small dogs with floppy ears.

small dog breeds with floppy ears
15 Small Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears

1. Basset Hound

Few dogs are more well-known for their long, floppy ears than the Bassett Hound. People love the chill temperament offered by these dogs. They can be occasionally stubborn, but mostly they are very charming.

Basset Hound fluffy ears
Cute Basset Hound sits with fluffy ears.

These dogs are powerful, but not the most active pups.

You can easily recognize this breed thanks to its large head, beseeching eyes, wrinkled brow, and long ears. Bassett Hounds are usually about 15 inches tall and can weigh between 40 and 65 pounds. This breed has a life expectancy of about 13 years.

2. Beagle

Beagles are ideal family dogs, thanks to their playful and easy-going temperament. These brainy and energetic dogs love being around people and are great with children and other dogs. The breed originally emerged to hunt in packs.

Beagle lying on the floor
A Beagle wears onesies to prevent the diaper from coming off.

These dogs come in several colors including, red, brown, white, tan, and tricolor. Depending on sex, Beagles can be 15 inches tall and under and may weigh 30 pounds or less.

This breed lives for around 10 to 15 years. These dogs are easy to care for as long as you provide them with early socialization.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This breed combines the benefits of a toy dog with a Spaniel. Cavalier King Charles dogs are known for their gentle, yet playful temperament. Generally, this breed behaves well with children and other dogs.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tongue out
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sitting in front of a camera while tongue is out.

These pups can adapt to several lifestyles, whether you prefer a lot of activity or being sedentary.

They are usually about 12 inches tall and can weigh between 13 and 18 pounds. You can recognize this breed from its medium-length wavy white and brown coat, and its long floppy ears. This breed has an average lifespan of nine to 14 years.

4. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are some of the most popular dogs for a good reason. While they started as hunting dogs, they are now known as loving companion dogs. These dogs are great with children and adults alike.

English Cocker Spaniels
Dog stands on a suitcase in a blue background.

They are also good with other dogs.

While you may know these dogs for their long silky white and tan coat, they can come in several colors, including black, brown, red, and combinations of colors. A Cocker Spaniel is usually around 14 inches tall and weighs 25 pounds. They live between 10 and 14 years.

5. Dachshund

These loving pups are energetic and great with other dogs and people of all ages. They are fairly energetic, but their body does not lend themselves easily to strenuous exercise. Dachshunds can be somewhat tough to train since they can be stubborn.

Long-Haired Dachshund sitting
A Long-Haired Dachshund sits comfortably.

Stay patient and consistent for the best training results.

Dachshunds can have long or short coats. Either way, these dogs are known for their long bodies, short legs, and floppy ears. They can be black, tan, cream, red, blue, or a combination of those colors.

This dog can also be standard-sized or miniature. Standard Dachshunds are nine inches tall and between 16 and 32 pounds. The miniature variety is about six inches tall and under 11 pounds.

These pups have a life expectancy of about 12 to 16 years.

6. Havanese

Native to Cuba, the Havanese is a life-loving pup that makes an ideal companion to one person or many. This breed is ideal for families since they behave well with children and other dogs. Thanks to this dog’s coat, it needs a bit of extra grooming work.

Havanese puppy
Havanese puppy sits comfortably.

Havanese have a beautiful silky coat that you can grow long or cut short. The coat can be black, cream, tan, red, gold, and more. Since this breed’s coat is hypoallergenic, it is a lovely choice for those who suffer from allergies.

This breed measures about 10 inches tall and is usually around seven to 13 pounds. Havanese live for 15 years.

7. Japanese Chin

A Japanese Chin generally does well as a lap dog. The dogs do not need much exercise. This dog breed makes an ideal companion. However, it prefers adults. So, if you have children, you may want to opt for a different breed.

Japanese Chin posing
Japanese Chin posing for a photo shoot!

The Japanese Chin gets along nicely with other dogs.

You can recognize this dog by its short muzzle, round eyes, long mane of hair, and long fur. Their fur is a combination of white and other colors, such as black, tan, red, and sable. The Japanese Chin measures about 10 inches tall and weighs between 7 and 11 pounds.

They usually live for 11 years.

8. Lowchen

Lowchens are small energetic pups that make the ideal companion dog. They are quite affectionate with their people and do well with children. While they are not always the biggest fans of other dogs, with proper early socialization, they should do just fine.

Lowchen sits for a photo shoot
A Lowchen sits for a photo shoot.

Another hypoallergenic dog with floppy ears, the Lowchen has a long coat ranging from black to sable to white. These pups measure about 13 inches tall and weigh 15 pounds. Usually, this breed lives about 15 years.

9. Maltese

While this breed is very loving, it is not one of the most enthusiastic with children and other dogs. However, Maltese dogs can make friends with anyone under the right conditions. For the most successful training results, provide your Maltese with plenty of treats.

newly groomed Maltese dog
A newly groomed Maltese standing on the floor.

This breed has a white or tan coat that can be long or short, depending on styling. Maltese dogs are ideal for people with allergies since they are hypoallergenic.

The Maltese is one of the smallest floppy-eared dogs out there. It is about eight inches tall and weighs under seven pounds. These pups live for about 12 to 15 years.

10. Miniature Poodle

Miniature Poodles are known for their sweetness and intelligence. Since they are so smart, they are good learners. However, that intelligence also helps them manipulate their way out of training.

brown miniature poodle on grass
A young Brown/Chocolate Miniature Poodle puppy lying down outside and off the leash (still wearing harness)

Provide your athletic Poodle with plenty of opportunities for exercise.

Poodles have curly hypoallergenic coats that can come in several colors. These colors include black, blue, brown, red, and cream.

While there are much larger versions of Poodles, the miniature variety is between 10 and 15 inches tall and weighs 10 to 15 pounds. Miniature Poodles live for between 10 and 18 years.

11. Norfolk Terrier

This spunky pup is known for its fun personality and its love of action. They are cuddly, but a bit more active than other toy breeds. Norfolk Terriers are wonderful with people of all ages, including young children.

cute Norfolk Terrier
A super cute tiny Norfolk Terrier

They are also good with other dogs if you have them meet in a safe environment.

Norfolk Terriers have a wiry and straight coat that is usually black and tan. The coat can also be red or grizzle. These pups are about 10 inches tall and weigh around 11 pounds.

They live for 12 to 16 years.

12. Pug

Pugs are playful and affectionate. They love snuggling with people of all ages and love other dogs. These pups do not do well with hot weather or humidity.

a happy pug smiles
A happy pug smiles

This dog has a short black and fawn coat. They do not require much grooming. However, they may need some extra medical attention due to their face shape.

These dogs are also prone to obesity. Pugs weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and are usually around 11 inches tall. They live for about 14 years.

13. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are affectionate and friendly dogs who love to play. They love people of all ages and do well with other dogs. While they can be active, Shih Tzus are also cuddly lap dogs.

Shih Tzu asking for food
Shih Tzu is hungry!

This breed has a hypoallergenic coat that can be long or short, depending on how you groom them. The coat can be any color, including white, black, red, brown, silver, or a combination.

These dogs weigh between nine and 16 pounds and measure about 10 inches tall. They live for between 10 to 18 years.

14. Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex Spaniel is an ideal dog if you want a mellow pup with an affectionate personality. These dogs are somewhat stubborn, so they require patience during training. This friendly breed measures about 14 inches tall and weighs around 40 pounds.

Sussex Spaniel stands on the grass
Sussex Spaniel stands on the grass looking on for his owner.

They live for about 15 years.

15. Tibetan Spaniel

The floppy-eared Tibetan Spaniel is a playful and energetic dog who loves its humans. It has a long silky coat and a short muzzle. These dogs can have black, cream, red, and gold coats.

Tibetan Spaniel on grass
Tibetan Spaniel standing on the grass.

They measure about 10 inches tall and weigh between nine and 15 pounds. They live for 14 years.

Final Thoughts

This list contains some of the smallest dogs with floppy ears. While these 15 are adorable, there are plenty of other breeds that are not on this list. There are also many larger pups with floppy ears.

If you want to add a floppy-eared dog to your family, there are plenty of options to choose from. From the tiny and long Dachshund to the vivacious Cocker Spaniel, you can not go wrong. Plus, there are plenty of mixed-breed dogs that also have floppy ears.