Why Do Dogs Have a Pocket in Their Ears?
作者: Jake Rossen
Pet owners tend to learn a lot about dog and cat anatomy, like why a dog's paws often smell like popcorn or why cats puff up their tail when agitated. Depending on the breed, an ear-scratching session might prompt them to wonder why some dogs have a small pocket at the corner of their ear.
铲屎官们往往会学到很多关于狗和猫的解剖学知识，比如为什么狗的爪子经常闻起来像爆米花，或者为什么猫在激动时会竖起尾巴。根据不同的品种，一次抓耳挠腮，可能会促使铲屎官们想知道，为什么有些狗的耳角好像有一个小口袋。
It's called a cutaneous marginal pouch, or a Henry's pocket, and there are a few reasons your dog may be sporting this puzzling feature.
这被称为皮肤边缘袋，或亨利口袋，你的狗可能会有这种令人费解的特征，大抵为以下几个原因。
It's possible the pocket helps with hearing. The pouch may be able to help dogs pick up on higher-pitched sounds by attenuating lower pitches. Essentially, Henry's pocket can aid in your dog bouncing off the walls when they hear a siren.
这个口袋可能有助于提高听力。该口袋可能能够通过减弱低音调的声音来帮助狗狗接受高音调的声音。从本质上讲，狗在听到警笛声时，亨利的口袋会帮狗突然变得兴奋起来。
The pocket might also assist in a dog's overall auditory experience, opening up when a dog angles their ears or perhaps blocking sounds if they move their ears.
这个口袋还可以帮助狗狗更好的掌控听觉体验，转动耳朵时，口袋就会打开，或者当他们移动耳朵时，也许会阻挡声音。
By having so much control over their ears, dogs can efficiently inhabit their role as a predator. More accurate sound detection means finding prey, while moving the ear independently of their body means they can head in one direction while listening for activity in another.
通过对耳朵进行多方控制，狗可以有效地出演捕食者的角色。更准确的声音探测意味着找能到猎物，而独立于身体的耳朵移动意味着它们可以朝一个方向走，同时倾听另一个方向的活动。
The pocket is more common in some breeds, especially if they're short-haired or have erect ears. Chihuahuas, Boston terriers, pugs, and corgis can sport them.
这种口袋在某些品种中更为常见，特别是如果它们是短毛或有直立的耳朵。吉娃娃、波士顿梗、巴哥犬和柯基犬都可以有这样的口袋。
2026年2月24日于经典龙苑
