Droopy ears are a pretty common trait in Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds and Beagles. Most dogs with long ears were bred to follow prey over vast distances, as it can help them to funnel scents directly from the surrounding environment to their sensitive noses.
"There are many dog breeds with long ears – and while they are a distinctive, recognisable trait, long ears are also a success factor for scent hounds (a dog which primarily hunts by scent rather than sight). The dog's ears move along the ground whilst sniffing, collecting scents and sweeping them to the nose," Shauna Walsh, Veterinary Nurse at the PDSA, tells Country Living.
These breeds might be great at sniffing out scents, however dogs with long ears are more prone to ear problems as dirt and bacteria can get trapped more easily.
"It means dogs with longer ears may need a little more care and attention than short ears, and more regular cleaning," explains Shauna. "Speak to your vet for advice on how often you should clean your dog's ears to keep them healthy."
On that note, take a look at the dog breeds with long ears below...