Sam is so cute!
I am not a groomer, but maybe you can give him a puppy cut (teddy bear haircut). I have a Shih Tzu, and the groomer shapes her ears to flow with the haircut (face). Sometimes, I allow the ears to grow longer than the hair around her face. I would look at other breeds with long hair that ears hang down for my inspiration for his haircut. I love Baxter's haircut; I might have to use that haircut on my dog. Thanks!