ANIMAL MAGIC: DO MY DOG'S DROOPY EARS MAKE HIM DEAF?

Jul 22 2007 Scott Miller

Q My basset hound ignores me. Do his droopy ears affect his hearing? I clean them regularly as they can smell quite musty.

A Droopy ears do block some sound, though the average dog's hearing is far better than ours. Bassets are quite a stubborn breed, so it is more likely that he chooses not to obey you rather than being unable to hear you. Floppy-eared dogs such as bloodhounds are better at sniffing out prey because their long ears sweep smells towards their noses. Due to this, I would recommend training your pet by using stronglyflavoured food treats, which he is much more likely to respond to than voice commands alone.