Do you (like many others) have fond memories of growing up with a family dog? When some potential owners start their dog breed research to find their perfect match, it is fairly normal to want a breed that resembles your childhood best friend. Perhaps you remember playing with a friendly dog with big floppy ears that would let you rub its head and ears for hours.
To aid you in your search, we have put together a list of eight different brown dogs with floppy ears, their breed history, average size, lifespan, coat types, and what types of owners would be a good fit! We hope this listicle can help you in your search for the perfect companion!
8 Fascinating Brown Dogs With Floppy Ears
This article was made to help begin your breed research, as we have provided you with breed information, origin, breeding purpose, and entries about their personalities. However, we do recommend further research before absolutely deciding on what breed is right for you.
1. Broholmer
Average Lifespan: 8-10 years
Average Size: 90-150 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
Starting our list off strong is the large breed Broholmer. This absolute unit of a dog is widely known for its breed history as a protector of the home and farm, and could often be found herding livestock in early Denmark.
Known to be a great family dog, this breed is often described as a gentle giant because of its calm, self-assured, and friendly personality.
Because of their status as a working breed, they do require an owner who can meet their needs for constant mental and physical activity, which will ensure that they live a happy and healthy life.
2. Chinese Shar-Pei
Average Lifespan: 8-12 years
Average Size: 45-60 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
This ancient breed can be traced back to 200 B.C China, which is extremely impressive. Chinese Shar-Pei was most commonly found guarding and herding but was also used for hunting, and was once known as the rarest dog breed in the world. Today, they are exceedingly popular across the globe.
With an adorably wrinkled face, this dog comes in every coat color except white and has an interesting blue-colored tongue due to high levels of pigmentation.
This breed is often described as independent, loyal, and calm, but they need very dedicated training and socialization from puppyhood to avoid developing severe aggression issues.
3. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 70-85 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a multi-talented breed that is best known for the ridge of backward growing hair down the middle of their back, their status as one of the many brown dogs with floppy ears, and their imposing stature.
This highly skilled breed was exceedingly popular in their native birthplace of Africa because of their ability to track and hunt. Rhodesians are often described as strong-willed, loyal, and affectionate, which makes them great family dogs, and are particularly known for being good with children.
However, this sleek canine can be difficult to train and will require an owner well versed in obedience training. This breed can develop dog aggression, so proper socialization from a young age is really important.
4. Boerboel
Average Lifespan: 9-11 years
Average Size: 150-200 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
The Boerboel is undeniably known for their behemoth-like frame, and have an impressive history of protecting villages in South Africa from dangerous predators. Today they can be found competing in competitions, and working as property guardians.
Known to be loyal, dominant, confident, affectionate, and territorial, this breed must be properly socialized and well versed in obedience from an early age, so as to avoid developing any aggressive tendencies as they age.
With great training, this dog would be an amazing addition to any family because of their fondness for affection. They take their jobs as guard dogs seriously and can be territorial, so daily obedience training is recommended.
5. Tosa
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 100-200 pounds
Coat: short, smooth, double
Tosa dogs originate from 14th century Japan where they were used for dogfighting but are now used more commonly as security dogs for families. This breed is the largest of Japanese canines and is known to mature slower than most, and bears a striking resemblance to Mastiffs.
This massive breed is considered rare and has been described as being loyal, intelligent, sensitive, and more predisposed to aggressive tendencies with other dogs.
The Tosa requires a firm hand to guide their training to ensure proper socialization. This breed would not be great in homes with other pets because of their predisposition to territorial aggression.
6. Dachshund
Average Lifespan: 12-16 years
Average Size: 16-32 pounds
Coat: short, medium, smooth
Don’t let their amusing appearance fool you, not unlike the breeds mentioned above, the Dachshund was originally bred for hunting badgers in early Germany. Their stubby legs and hotdog-like silhouette were perfect for flushing their prey out of hiding holes.
This breed is extremely popular for their bold, loyal, clever, and devoted personalities and would pair well with a very patient owner who doesn’t mind too much barking. They enjoy being loved by their favorite person and take their job as watchdogs of their homes seriously. As a short brown-haired dog with floppy ears, the Dachshund’s cute appearance often disguises their fierce hunting background.
Though, they are known to be stubborn during training and any children in the home should be gentle with them.
7. Norfolk Terrier
Average Lifespan: 12-16 years
Average Size: 12-16 pounds
Coat: short, wiry, double
The Norfolk Terrier gained their breed title in England, the year 1964. They, like their close cousins the Norwich Terrier, were originally bred for hunting various vermin and were popular because of their fearless and fun-loving personalities.
Don’t let their petite size fool you, these guys are known for being mischievous and wouldn’t be good to sit in a kennel for long hours, so they would do best with an owner who is home more often than not.
Norfolk Terriers are extremely affectionate, bond closely with their people, and have been described as being their owner’s shadows. This breed is highly recommended for families with children, as their personalities are quite childlike and fun.
8. Vizsla
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: 44-60 pounds
Coat: short, smooth
The Vizsla is a respected breed that is known for its gorgeous coat and history as a sportsman dog in Hungary. Widely recognizable as brown dogs with floppy ears, this breed was popular for their ability to work as pointers and retrievers.
With their extreme intelligence, Vizslas are high-energy dogs who require dedicated daily physical and mental enrichment.
Known to be great family dogs because of their gentle and affectionate personalities, this breed forms exceedingly close bonds with their owners and doesn’t appreciate being left alone for long hours.
Vizslas are the perfect example of a family dog, as they loved to constantly be surrounded by their favorite people.