With the seemingly always inquisitive and excited looks on their faces, dog breeds with rose ears certainly make a wonderful addition to your home.
From Whippets to Pitbulls, from small dog breeds to large dog breeds, there is a rose for everyone.
No matter their temperament or size, they all have one thing in common, they are dog breeds with unique rose-shaped ears.
19 Dog Breeds With Rose Ears
When it comes to dog ears, they can be as cute as a button! They can be fluffy, short, long, and of all shapes and sizes. But what are rose ears?
When an ear falls slightly backwards and the inside of an ear can be seen, it is called a rose ear.
The inside of the ear is reminiscent of the center of a rose flower, hence the name. Basically, these are erect ears that fall backward at the sides. There are some variations and they can be confused with button ears, but the best representatives of these types of ears are Greyhounds, Whippets, and Bulldogs.
Let’s check out the roses!
1. English Greyhound
They come from England, but it is believed that all modern Greyhounds have ancestral roots in Ancient Egypt. That means that they are one of the oldest purebred dog breeds in the world, dating back to the time of the great Pharaohs.
There are some sources that state that the first Greyhound-like dogs appeared 8000 years ago!
One thing is definitely true, they all have cute rose ears that flap around.
The Greyhound is a large dog with a perfect aerodynamic body made for sprints. They come in many coat colors and coat variations. Contrary to the belief they need daily brushing, their smooth and short coat means that they are moderate shedders. .
Greyhounds are cuddlers and they are very affectionate to their owners. Even though they are friendly, they can show some territorial aggression if they are not properly socialized.
So, use those puppy ears of your rose ear doggy and teach them some manners.
Oh, and if you go out in the cold with a Greyhound, you should put a coat on on your doggo too. They don’t have a lot of fat; they are made for speed – all muscles!
2. Whippet
They look like Greyhounds, but they are much smaller than Greyhounds. And possibly quite a bit faster, with their name being the biggest clue to how fast they are. Fast, and as clever as a whip!
They are very affectionate; they are great with other dogs and with young children. And they are one of the dog breeds with rose ears.
These lean cuties come in many colors too. They also have a smooth and short coat, built for high-speed sprints.
Just like their cousins, Greyhounds, they too have a high prey drive. But nonetheless, they make great family dogs. You should simply keep them on a leash near squirrels or go through proper socialization and training during puppyhood.
A whippet can be a great dog for a lure coursing competition, but it can just the same, be an amazing cuddler on a sofa!
3. Anatolian Shepherd Dog
These large dogs were originally bred in Turkey and are another old dog breed.
They were purposefully bred to defend flocks against various predators in Asia Minor (Anatolia). These shepherd dogs are strong,independent thinkers made to be able to take care of themselves.
And, on top of their large heads, there are two lovely semi-erect rose ears.
Anatolian Shepherd dogs can come with different coat colors and markings, and they can have even more of these coat pattern variations if they are mixed with another dog breed.
For all of these purebreds or Anatolian crossbreeds, one thing is certain: they are all very loyal and brave dogs, ready to defend their owner, livestock, and the entire property.
Even though they seem rough, they are very good with children, and they will enjoy all the ear rubs and hugs from everyone in the family.
They are a healthy dog breed, but they will need regular grooming, and ear canal checks for foreign objects to keep them healthy and happy.
4. English Bulldog
This is a medium size dog breed with rose ears. Everyone knows what a Bulldog is or what it looks like. They are heavy breathers and drooling champions.
They were bred in 13th century England for a heartbreaking reason. Bullbaiting was popular in those years and for the purpose of this horrible “sport”, they made a dog with very strong jaws and a high pain threshold.
But today’s modern English Bulldog is nothing like its ancestors in terms of temperament. They love to cuddle, and they are great with both young children and other dogs. And you can get one in a mini version! Now, that is cute!
Even though they can weigh up to 50 pounds and be 15 inches in height, they are affectionate and wouldn’t mind all the ear rubs. English Bulldogs can come in various colors, but one of my personal favorites is the blue coat color variation.
Also, they do require regular walks and physical stimulation to keep them fit and happy. Just pay attention to their breathing during summer heats because it can cause some breathing problems. This also means that they need a cool, air-conditioned place to spend their hot summer days.
5. Boxer
This is another famous dog breed with rose ears. They were first bred in Germany in the 19th century, but they have ancestral roots in the Assyrian empire that takes them back to 2500 BC and connects them with the Empire’s war dogs.
The dog breeds crossed to make a Boxer were Bulldog, Mastiff, Great Dane, and possibly a Terrier.
What they got was a strong, brave, and loyal dog who served side by side with people in both World Wars, became a great Police dog, and a hunter dog too.
Although such a resume makes them sound harsh, on the contrary Boxers are wonderful with children! Today’s Boxers were bred to be family dogs that are affectionate and loyal. It doesn’t matter if you choose an old Boxer, a male or female, from a shelter or from a breeder, you will have a wonderful companion and a friend for a long time.
As for their ears, according to the AKC (American Kennel Club) breed standard, their ears are cropped pointy, revealing the inner side of the ears. Similar to Doberman ears.
They come in two colors: brindle and fawn. As for the size of a Boxer, they can weigh up to 80 pounds and be 25 inches in height, with males being larger than females.
6. Papillon Dog
Now, this is a true addition to your rose ears garden.
The Papillon Dog originated in the Renaissance times when they were bred as companion dogs for noblewomen all across Europe. They were first officially introduced and recognized by the AKC in 1915.
The exact country of their origin is unknown, although the name itself means “butterfly” in French. The name is given because of the dog’s specific ears shape, which resembles a butterfly with spread wings. That’s because Papillons have long silky strands of hair falling from their ears. In general, they have a silky medium-length coat.
They are amazing with children, very affectionate, open to strangers, adaptable, and playful!
They are very well suited for first-time dog owners.
This is a toy dog breed, weighing up to 10 pounds and growing up to 11 inches in height. They might be small, but they are very playful and they bark a lot! Papillon will not be a boring companion for you and your children, at all!
7. Pug
Another toy dog breed with rose ears. They are one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world with amazing ancestry behind them going back to Ancient China. Around 2000 years ago, Chinese emperors loved these flat-faced dogs, so they developed three dog breeds: the Shih Tzu, the Pekingese, and the Pug.
Pugs have smooth, short hair and they shed a lot! However, even though they shed a lot, they don’t need special grooming techniques, just regular weekly grooming and a bath with proper shampoo to keep their fur shiny and healthy.
They are highly trainable, and they love to please their owners, so you won’t have a problem teaching your pug how to properly behave.
Trust me, they are so affectionate and cute, that you will want to spoil them with special little beds or adorable pug collars, and with all the treats a dog can dream of! Just be careful about the food you give to your pug because it’s a small breed dog that can easily become overweight.
8. The American Pitbull Terrier
Pit bulls are labeled as “bad boys” and are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. They are actually banned from the UK, and several other countries have strong regulations about keeping this breed (e.g., Spain, Italy, New Zealand, etc.).
Why is that? Because of horrible people who shouldn’t be called people at all. They bred these dogs for 100 years for one purpose only, to fight with other dogs, bears, or wild boars.
Unfortunately, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding these dogs and whether they should be kept as pets. If they are properly socialized from an early age, they can be amazing pets! But they do need an experienced owner. With such an owner, their true colors will shine through showing affection, loyalty, and playfulness.
One excellent example of how good breeders with a strong desire can clean the name of the American Pitbull Terrier is the Gotti Pitbull bloodline, named after their one ancestor, Juan Gotti.
They breed and socialize their dogs to become family-friendly and great pets in general!
In general, the American Pitbull Terrier is a medium-sized dog with a short, smooth coat. Most owners crop their ears, so that they are pointy and that the inside of an ear is visible – a rose ear. The cropping is purely for looks, and it doesn’t have to be done.
They come in many colors, from brindle and brown, champagne color, to black color. You can find all kinds of Pitties out there.
If you take good care of them, socialize them, love them, and give them appropriate exercise and training, Pitbulls are wonderful pets.
9. Brazilian Terrier
This cute dog comes from Brazil, and its exact year of coming to this world as a breed is unknown.
We do know that they have some terrier breed genes in them, since the other smaller dog breeds like Jack Russell Terrier, Fox Terrier, or Miniature Pinscher were involved in the breeding process which led to these dogs.
Their original breeding purpose was to hunt small prey, and they would often do it in packs. That means this rosebud has good hunting instincts and it is especially eager to please its owner.
This also makes them trainable and very family oriented – they want to be a part of the pack!
They come as tri-colored dogs, but the markings vary from dog to dog. They can have various combinations of black-white-tan colors on their smooth and short coats.
They are active and playful and they will need daily exercise, daily walks, or some kind of interactive dog toys to keep them healthy.
10. French Bulldog
Let’s say it right at the beginning, the French Bulldog was first bred in England, not France. But they were so popular in France, after their original breeders moved there, that they got the name French-stitched to their cute rose ears.
They belong to a small non-sporting group of dogs that were bred to become companion dogs. And they are lovely with children and affectionate towards other family members in general! French Bulldogs adapt well, they are open to strangers, and they are very playful! But just keep them away from the water, because Frenchies can’t swim!
French Bulldogs come in many coat colors and coat markings, with fawn, brindle, and white being the most common. They do not shed a lot and will need a weekly brushing with suitable grooming brushes for a French Bulldog.
They are generally a healthy dog breed, but because of their short nose and elongated soft palate, you should keep an eye on them in hot or humid areas, or when they overstimulate themselves during playtime. Just take them to a cool spot and let them relax for a bit on their favorite Frenchie bed.
They don’t bark a lot and they are easily trainable, so if you do decide to have a Frenchie puppy, make sure you get ready for lots of cuddles and noisy breathing.
11. Parson Russell Terrier
The Parson Russell Terrier was first bred in England in the 1800s as a dog for catching foxes.
They belong to a small group of dogs, very energetic and athletic, ready to jump, run and go through holes in the ground. That’s what they were bred to do, after all.
So yes, just like other terriers they have a high prey drive, and they will chase smaller animals if they are not properly trained or socialized.
Parson Russell Terrier comes in one color – white, with several markings, like black, brown, or tan on their smooth, short, and double coat.
Their coat requires regular grooming with at least two different kinds of brushes, one for the smooth part, and one for the rough part of its double coat. They also need a regular monthly bath, unless the Parson goes straight into the muddy hole in the ground, then they will need an extra one!
Overall, this dog breed with rose ears will make you want to leap for joy just like them, with their small but muscular bodies that are ready to run around and play.
12. Africanis
Even though this dog breed has been around in Africa for centuries, they have only recently been acknowledged as a separate and unique dog breed that developed naturally in South Africa.
They are a medium-sized hunting dog breed with rose ears. The Africanis dog has a short, smooth coat with different color variations, and dark to amber eyes.
They are very loyal, and people in South Africa use them as watchdogs or guard dogs, and even for herding. This shows that they are very owner pleasing and trainable.
Let’s not forget that they also have cute rose ears!
When it comes to small children and other family members, they get on well with them, but as in all situations where we bring a new dog home, we should pay attention and teach our children how to behave with animals too.
Overall, proper training and socialization make most of the problems go away, no matter the dog size or dog breed. If you get stuck during the process, there are training collars you can use or you can always call for some professional help.
13. Shar Pei
Shar Pei is a very old Chinese dog breed, dating back to the Han Dynasty, 2000 years ago. But it was only recognized by the AKC in 1992. No matter the year, what’s important is that this dog breed with rose ears is alive and thriving in homes all around the world, not just in China.
Shar Pei is a medium-sized dog with their usual weight going up to 60 pounds and their height reaching around 20 inches. They have a smooth and short coat with a lot of different colors and markings, but one of the most recognizable is solid red.
What makes this dog breed so interesting is that they have a blue-black tongue, a lot of loose skin around the neck, head, and shoulders, and small eyes set deep into the skull.
While they are very adaptable, they are not so open to strangers and will act reserved around new people. Of course, with proper training, any problems that can arise from this social characteristic can be solved.
They are good with children, but they’re not one of the most patient dog breeds in the world. So, keeping a close eye on both the dogs and the children should be standard practice.
Shar Pei is a good and big guard dog.
Being in the middle regarding their energy levels, somewhere between a Siberian Husky and a Basset Hound, they will need walks, but they will be happy to lounge with you on the sofa as well.
14. Shetland Sheepdog
These beautiful shepherd dogs come from the Shetland Islands in the United Kingdom.. There is a pattern in this part of the world of making smaller versions of animals. The Shetland Pony is also a smaller version of a horse, just like a Shetland Sheepdog is a smaller version of a rough-coat Collie.
They are compact, agile, and fast herding dogs adapted to the cold climate of the northernmost point of the UK. Their fur is double and long, and it can come in 6 standard colors, of which the most popular is a tri-color coat type of black, white, and tan.
These dogs are excellent with small children and other dogs, very affectionate, highly trainable, vigilant, and intelligent, so it’s no wonder that there are so many Shetland Sheepdog mixes too. They all wanted a part of this amazing dog with rose ears in their gene pool.
Although they have so many positive traits, one trait that can come across as a negative one is grooming. They will need to be groomed weekly and more during the shedding season.
Also, they will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation in order to keep happy and healthy.
Find this amazing dog in our list of best Shetland Sheepdog breeders.
15. Border Collie
Here is another dog breed with rose ears that comes from the British Isles.The Border Collie is an old dog breed that was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995.
It’s a medium-sized herding dog with a playful and intelligent demeanor. Today they come in a mini size as well, simply called the Mini Border Collie.
They are truly intelligent dogs that will eagerly show you how fast they can learn and how well they do the things they have learned!
Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog, they have a lot of energy in their doggy bodies, and they will need a lot of physical stimulation: lots of playing, walking, hiking, running, etc.
They have a double, wavy, and medium-length coat with many color variations and markings. Their coat is dense and water resistant and will need regular grooming twice a week to keep it shiny and healthy.
After all of the good things, one thing that can be a problem is that Border Collies bark a lot. If you can get over this fact or if you don’t mind it at all, getting yourself a Border Collie puppy will mean that you will have one of the most intelligent,lovable, and playful dogs for a long time!
16. Estrela Mountain Dog
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large dog breed with rose ears that are just as cute and rosy as those on a small dog breed.
They are very brave and intelligent dogs originating from Portugal. Estrela Mountain Dogs have everything that a shepherd dog fighting mountain lions and wolves needs – agility, strength, endurance, and a large size.
Their coat is thick and resembles the coat that a goat has. It can come in brindle, fawn, wolf grey, and yellow colors. Because of their thick coat, they need weekly grooming and an occasional bath, which depends on the outdoor activities of the dog.
They get on well with small children, but they are not very open to strangers. This is normal, given the fact that they were bred as guard dogs and protectors of not only their flock, but their human family too.
If they are a working dog or if they spend a lot of time outdoors, besides grooming and bathing, regular checks of the ears are a must too. Because of their fluffy, rose ears, foreign objects can get stuck and cause an ear infection.
17. The Scottish Deerhound
We’ve talked about old dog breeds with rose ears, but this one is so old no one knows how they came to Scotland in the first place.
I know these dogs will take your heart with their gentle and polite nature.
They are hunting dogs that get on excellently with other dogs. So, if you already have a dog or two but you would like an addition (the more the merrier!) then the Scottish Deerhound is a perfect rose for your doggy garden!
If I had to choose, I would put the Scottish Deerhound on the list of cool dog breeds! Of course, every dog is a cool dog, but some are just a little bit different and they get you right away.
They have a wiry, double, medium-sized coat that doesn’t need a lot of grooming. Actually, brushing your Deerhound once every couple of weeks is just fine. Now that is a low-maintenance dog!
But even though they are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, they do need a lot of exercise or daily walks. Not only for their physical health but also for their immense desire to be included in any kind of activity with their owners!
18. Australian Shepherd
Paws down, this is one of the most beautiful dog breeds with rose ears, especially if they come in their famous blue merle-color.
Even though their name implies they were originally bred in Australia, that is not the case. The Australian Shepherd we know and love today was first bred in the US, and they were accepted into the herding group of dogs by the AKC in 1993.
These incredible dogs have a double, medium coat with so many beautiful color variations, but they do shed quite a lot. Especially during the shedding season.
But in return, you will have an amazing, intelligent, energetic, and playful companion that will do all that it can to please its owner.
Some people say they are excellent with children, others are a bit more reserved when it comes to the question, do Australian Shepherds get on well with young children? I guess it all comes down to how you socialize the dog, and how you teach your children to behave around dogs.
These dogs are true rancher dogs that will go into the sunset with their cowboy or cowgirl owner. Their trainability makes them easy to get to help around the ranch and makes everyday life a little bit easier.
19. Italian Greyhound
Here we have another representative of the Greyhound dog breed with rose ears. They are a toy group of dogs, weighing up to 14 pounds and growing up to 15 inches in height.
Italian Greyhounds originated in Renaissance Italy, but we can be certain that these delicate dogs served as hunter dogs in the Roman Empire, as well.
These Italian-origin dogs are sensitive and alert, but even though they have good intelligence, they are not as trainable as one would assume. That is because they are quite independent. So, if you want to properly train them, you’ll need a lot of treats.
They come in many coat colors and markings, and their coat is smooth and short, so very easy to groom.
Italian Greyhounds are great with young children, and they also prefer the company of other dogs. They are open to strangers too. But they do like to bark. So, get ready to have a real Italian opera of barks in the house.
With their lifespan going more than 15 years, they are generally healthy dogs with few health issues. Of course, DNA tests can be done in order to prevent some possible health problems, like joint and eye problems.
Other Types Of Dog Ears
We’ve come to the end of our list of the dog breeds with rose ears. But what about other dog ear types?
Oh, there are a few, to say the least.
• Floppy ears or drop ears (Bloodhound, Poodle)
• Bat ears (Corgi, Chihuahua)
• Candle flame ears (English Toy Terrier)
• Filbert ears (Bedlington terrier)
• Folded Ears (Cocker Spaniel)
• V-shaped ear (Vizsla, Labrador Retriever)
• Erect ears (German Shepherd, Siberian Husky)
The Conclusion
So, as you can see there are a lot of dog breeds with rose ears.
They come in all sizes and shapes, all kinds of colors and coat types, and all kinds of temperaments too!
No matter the rose-eared dog breed you choose, and despite the fact there are millions of roses in the whole world, the one you choose is your only one, unique rose.
You need to take care of it, give a lot of love and affection, playtime, healthy food, and everything else that goes with loving and taking care of a living being.