10 Adorable Small Dog Breeds with Big Ears [+Pictures]

While I’m sure we can all agree that every breed of dog is beautiful and adorable in its own way, there seems to be something extra special and cute about small dog breeds with big ears.

Not only are these dogs super fun to have around the house, but they also provide plenty of affection, love, and companionship.

However, we always have to remember that dogs with bigger ears need more care. Failing to care for your furry friend’s ears could lead to unfortunate health problems.

If you’re looking to adopt a smaller dog with big floppy ears or simply want your daily dose of cuteness, you’ve come to the right place.

Today, we will be looking at 10 different breeds of dogs that are small in size but have big ears.

If this sounds like something that you’ll enjoy be sure to stick around as we’ve even included pictures of these little cuties too.

10 Adorable Small Dog Breeds With Big Ears

1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The first dog breed on our list is the adorable Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Originating in Pembrokeshire, Wales in the United Kingdom, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is actually a cattle dog.

Despite being a breed of cattle dog, they are also known to be sensitive pets with a lot of love to give.

Easily recognizable by their short legs, long body, and of course oversized large ears, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a smart dog sure to keep you on your toes whilst also demanding plenty of cuddles and fusses.

Apart from their adorable big ears, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is also famous for the rate at which they can have two eye color variations.

It isn’t uncommon for this charming dog to have one blue and one brown eye. This adds to the overall cuteness of the breed.

2. English Cocker Spaniel

As far as small dogs with big ears go, the English Cocker Spaniel probably takes the crown. This iconic breed of English dog has extremely long, floppy ears covered in fur.

Hanging straight down the side of their face, their ears can be so furry that if not regularly brushed they can become easily matted.

With this in mind, grooming must be done properly by the owner or a professional dog cleaner.

While the English Cocker Spaniel makes a wonderful and attentive pet, they were originally bred to hunt.

These little hunters were and still are today a great choice of dog for those looking for a gun dog. This is despite their overall adorableness and softness.

We’re just glad we don’t have to clean those ears out after a hunting session in wet, boggy marshes and heavy rain.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Another lovely spaniel with large ears and a small body is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Aside from its links to the United Kingdom’s royalty, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is famous worldwide for its silky, long, and furry curled ears.

Interestingly, this breed of dog is named after King Charles II of England who had a strong love for this type of dog.

The funny thing is, the fantastic ears this dog is blessed with are almost identical to the long, curly hairstyle the monarch and his peers frequently styled.

This breed of dog is commonly mistaken for another similar breed of spaniel called the English Toy Spaniel.

The English Toy Spaniel also has big ears, but they aren’t quite as long or quite frankly as impressive.

4. Basset Hound

As cute as the Basset Hound is, it’s hard not to look at this adorable small dog and smile as a result of just how enormous and in many ways ridiculous its ears are.

Basset Hounds are usually very short with a total height of on average 12 inches. When you consider how big their droopy ears are, this is quite hilarious.

The Basset Hound has wide, extremely straight ears that are so long they can almost reach their feet.

In fact, this breed of dog’s ears are so long they can occasionally drag behind the dog, almost reaching the floor as they walk.

If you are looking to adopt a Basset Hound, it is important to understand how much care their ears need.

As this breed of dog’s ears trail near the floor, you should clean their ears after every prolonged period of outside exercise.

5. Bracco Italiano

The next breed of dog on our list doesn’t look too unfamiliar to the Basset Hound.

What could quite easily be the Basset Hound’s taller, slimmer twin, the Bracco Italiano dog was originally bred as a hunting dog which in all honesty surprises us quite a lot as you would think their extremely large ears would get in the way.

I suppose the larger the ears, the more it can hear the animal it’s chasing down.

Like the Basset Hound, this breed of dog also makes a great pet. The fact it has long floppy ears you will want to play with all the time probably helps.

Small in size, the Bracco Italiano also has a quite muscular body, and lean limbs, so they can keep up with you easily on longer jaunts.

6. Toy Poodles

The Toy Poodle might just be our favorite dog breed on this list.

Absolutely adorable, this teddy bear-like dog breed was originally bred to be a much smaller miniaturization of the standard poodle we have come accustomed to.

While the rest of the dog has developed to be smaller, the ears have stayed the same.

The Toy Poodles’ ears are floppy, curly, and fluffy, at times making it quite difficult to spot them. Only when the Toy Poodle is running can we be sure it actually has ears.

Generally speaking, most Poodle owners trim their dog’s hair to make their ears stand out more.

While this is done to make the ears the main appearance feature, it also makes it a lot easier to maintain the dog’s health and cleanliness.

7. French Bulldog

A much smaller variety of the popular English Bulldog, the French Bulldog is extremely difficult to resist.

The cute charm of this dog is unavoidable. With large dreamy eyes, short little legs, and the most adorable pointy ears, it is hard to not give one of these dogs a hug every time you see one.

It was the French Bulldog’s large bat-like ears and playful mannerisms that made this breed of dog so popular in Paris during the 19th Century.

They were so popular in Paris that they were seen as the pet of choice for only the most fashionable people in the city.

Today, it is quite rare you head out of the house for the day without seeing one of these little treasures running up the road.

8. Dachshund

The Dachshund is one of the smallest dogs on our list, but it’s definitely also one of the cutest.

Also known as the German ‘sausage dog’, the Dachshund is cute and adorable for many reasons.

With its long body, short little legs, and floppy big ears, the Dachshund is a standout performer wherever it goes.

Featured in hit films like Toy Story, the Dachshund is a great pet because they love to play outside and go for walks, but also appreciate a nice relaxed afternoon spent at home.

This makes them a very low-maintenance breed of dog that will be happy to cuddle with you or be left on their own.

Variations of Dachshund all have different styles of coat. Depending on the thickness and length of their coat, their ears may need little or more care and attention to ensure they are always clean.

9. Papillon

The Papillon’s ears are definitely what makes its appearance so special and unique. With a unique butterfly-like pair of ears, it is unsurprising to see this dog named Papillon, which actually means butterfly in French.

Standing no taller than 9 inches and typically weighing less than 10 lbs, they may be small, but they certainly aren’t easy to miss.

Thanks to their beautiful big ears, the Papillon stands tall amongst other dogs, showing off a luxurious mane of long fur.

Although the Papillon looks like quite a fragile, delicate dog, they make excellent companions due to the strong love and affection they have for people.

They also have quite a surprising athletic endurance that makes them strong competitors in many athletic competitions.

10. Chihuahua

Of course, this list couldn’t be complete without talking about the Chihuahua.

The smallest dog on our list, the Chihuahua may be small, but ask any owner, and they’ll tell you they are also very mighty.

Often seen as a good dog breed choice for those living in city apartments, the Chihuahua doesn’t require too much walking.

Quite big barkers for their size, you’re probably more likely to be protected by an angry Chihuahua than you are a fully grown Husky.

The ears on this beautiful little dog normally point out from the side of its head giving a bat-like appearance.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, that’s our list of the most adorable small dogs with big ears. Hopefully, our list has given you the daily dosage of cuteness you came here looking for.

With a bit of luck, we may even have helped you decide which dog you want to adopt next.

While small dogs with big ears are very cute and adorable, they do frequently require extra care when it comes to cleaning their ears.

With this in mind, always ensure you know exactly what to do and expect before adopting any type of dog.