Canine ears have been affected by domestication and selective breeding, as noted by Feddersen-Petersen (2001). The process of domestication has led to a wide variety of breeds with different physical traits, including ear morphology. Hanging or drooping ears, like those seen in breeds such as Basset Hounds, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels, are the result of genetic changes over time.
Hanging ears can impair hearing in comparison to erect or upright ears, which are commonly seen in wild canids like wolves, foxes, and coyotes. Erect ears allow for more efficient sound localization and better overall hearing ability. Hanging ears may reduce the ability to pinpoint the source of a sound, as the ear flap may block or muffle incoming sounds. However, dogs with hanging ears can still hear, albeit with a slightly diminished capacity compared to those with erect ears.
Additionally, ear position and movement can serve as visual signals for communication among dogs. Hanging ears may limit the range of expressive ear movements a dog can make, which could potentially reduce the capacity to function as visual signals. For example, erect ears can more easily signal alertness or aggression, while hanging ears might not be as expressive in those situations.
Despite these potential drawbacks, hanging ears have been selected for in certain breeds due to various factors, such as aesthetics or other breed-specific traits. It is essential to remember that each breed has its own unique characteristics, and these differences do not necessarily imply inferiority or superiority in any particular aspect.
References
- Feddersen-Petersen, D. U. (2001). The ontogeny of social play and agonistic behaviour in selected canid species. Bonner zoologische Monographien, (46), 1-109.
- Coppinger, R., & Coppinger, L. (2001). Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution. New York: Scribner.
- Wilsson, E., & Sundgren, P. E. (1997). The use of a behaviour test for the selection of dogs for service and breeding, I: Method of testing and evaluating test results in the adult dog, demands on different kinds of service dogs, sex and breed differences. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 53(4), 279-295.
