Dog ears, like dogs themselves, are delightfully diverse. There are dogs with bat ears, rose ears, drop ears, button ears, prick ears, or semi-prick ears. All ears are equal in our opinion, but if you have a propensity for prick ears, commonly known as pointy ears, you have your pick of first-rate breeds to choose from.
The following big dogs with pointy ears charm with their adorably alert and highly-functional features.
Pointy ears are common on dogs who were bred to hunt large and dangerous prey as they provide an enhanced sense of hearing. The ‘openness’ of a pointy ear catches sound more clearly than an ear that is drooping or folded over onto itself.
Big Dogs With Pointy Ears
It is important to distinguish between pointy ears and cropped ears. Pointy ears are naturally occurring, while cropped ears are a surgical effect often seen on the Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, and Schnauzer.
1. German Shepherd
Average Lifespan: 7-10 years
Average Size: 50-90 pounds
Coat: medium, double
The unrelentingly popular German Shepherd is considered one of the finest all-purpose breeds in existence.
Initially bred to herd sheep, the Shepherd is now the preferred police and military dog worldwide. Their preternatural intelligence and high trainability have also made them laudable guard dogs, service dogs, and family pets.
The erect, medium-sized ears keep them attuned and alert throughout their many pursuits. Surprisingly, German Shepherds are born with floppy ears, and most perk up after the pups go through the teething process!
2. Alaskan Malamute
Average Lifespan: 10-14 years
Average Size: 75-85 pounds
Coat: medium, double
The oldest of the Arctic sled-dog breeds, the Alaskan Malamute is a dependable worker with a playful side.
Bred as a freighter dog, their primary job was to haul heavy loads over long distances. Their stature made them a formidable bear hunter, and they also enabled their masters to track seals by alerting them to the presence of hidden blowholes.
Their powerful girth and thick waterproof coat served them well in the frigid tundra, but today they are equally popular as affectionate family pets who are great with children.
The Malamute’s ears are known for their ‘satellite’ quality, often seeming to swivel continuously in response to sounds and stimuli, which helped keep them safe in the wild conditions of their homeland. It also happens to make them one of the most adorable big dogs with pointy ears!
3. Akita
Average Lifespan: 10-14 years
Average Size: 70-130 pounds
Coat: medium, double
The Akita is an ancient breed, profoundly revered in its homeland of Japan.
Developed as a hunting dog with the fearless temperament required to take on wild boar, deer, and bear, the Akita is physically imposing. Not just reserved and dignified warriors, they also figure in Japanese tradition as symbols of good luck.
When a child is born, parents will often receive an Akita figurine as a totem for happiness and longevity. Most Akitas have lighter fur inside the ears and darker fur on the outside.
The Japanese term Urajiro refers to the white/cream shading present on the underside of the Akita’s body and inside their ears.
4. Siberian Husky
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: 35-60 pounds
Coat: medium, double
A gregarious and gorgeous sled dog, the Siberian Husky has transcended the tundra to become one of the most popular breeds in the modern world, and certainly one of the most famous big dogs with pointy ears.
First bred as a dual-purpose companion and sled dog in Northeastern Asia, the Husky combines a sociable and gentle temperament with hearty working endurance.
They are too innately friendly to be useful as guard dogs, but their inborn stamina makes them excellent hiking, jogging and outdoor activity companions. Born with floppy, front-folded ears, the Husky’s ears usually start to perk up when they’re around six weeks old.
5. Berger Picard
Average Lifespan: 12-13 years
Average Size: 50-70 pounds
Coat: medium, wiry
Named for the Picardy region of France in which it was first bred, the Berger Picard is a fiercely independent, athletic herding dog. The Picard almost became extinct after the Second World War devastated the Picardy region, and are still an exceedingly rare breed.
Their staunch, resilient nature and sturdy bodies are complemented by their handsome faces, with shaggy eyebrows and a beard and mustache to rival those of many men! The Picard’s pointy ears are as remarkable as they are, standing tall at 4-5 inches.
6. Belgian Malinois
Average Lifespan: 14-16 years
Average Size: 40-80 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
One of four of the closely-related Belgian herding dog varieties, the Malinois bears a distinct resemblance to another of the big dogs with pointy ears, the German Shepherd.
While a little leggier and lighter than its German doppelganger, the Malinois is also frequently employed as a police dog. Vigilant, attentive, and protective, they also make an exceptional guarder.
Their high, pointed black ears and the black masking of their muzzle can appear forbidding, but the Malinois has a profound adoration for their preferred humans and will provide them with gentle companionship for life.
7. Ibizan Hound
Average Lifespan: 11-14 years
Average Size: 45-50 pounds
Coat: short, wiry, smooth
The Ibizan Hound is a descendant of the Egyptian hounds first brought to Ibiza to hunt rabbits around 3000 years ago.
The remarkable physical agility of the breed was forged through generations of pursuing hares around the island, where food supplies were incredibly scarce. Powerful jumpers, they are frequently described as doe-like due to their leggy athleticism and inherent grace.
Their ears are highly mobile, enabling them to be constantly attuned to their surroundings. And at a certain angle, they look uncannily like those of a deer!
8. Belgian Laekenois
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 55-65 pounds
Coat: medium, wiry, rough
The rare Belgian Laekenois is one of the most recent breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, finally given its due in July 2020. With only about 200 Laekenois registered nationwide, it’s unlikely you’ll stumble upon one on your morning walk, yet they are highly regarded in their native land.
The breed is related to the other three shepherds indigenous to Belgium: the Groenendael, Malinois, and Tervuren, but distinguishable by its rough-haired, tousled coat.
The pointed ears of the Laekenois, developed to assist them in herding and guarding duties, serve to complement their unusual beauty.