{"id":365,"date":"2023-06-20T07:21:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T07:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/flipsideviber.net\/?p=365"},"modified":"2023-08-08T00:12:59","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T00:12:59","slug":"when-will-my-german-shepherd-puppys-ears-stand-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/flipsideviber.net\/index.php\/2023\/06\/20\/when-will-my-german-shepherd-puppys-ears-stand-up\/","title":{"rendered":"When Will My German Shepherd Puppy\u2019s Ears Stand Up?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wondering when your german shepherd\u2019s ears will\u00a0finally\u00a0<\/em>decide to stand up?<\/p>\n

As proud and loving German Shepherd owners, one of the many adorable features we eagerly anticipate in our puppies is their ears standing up. Whether you\u2019re new to the world of German Shepherds or a seasoned owner, you might be wondering, \u201cWhen do German Shepherd puppy\u2019s ears stand up?\u201d <\/p>\n

In this comprehensive guide, we\u2019ll take you through the timeline of German Shepherd puppy ear development, help you understand the stages of ear growth, and provide valuable insights into ear taping, floppy ears, and the importance of ear cartilage. Let\u2019s dive into the captivating world of German Shepherd puppy ears and discover how to ensure your furry companion\u2019s ears are healthy and strong throughout their life.<\/p>\n

I remember this myself when we were new german shepherd owners, we literally woke up every day to different sort of ears every day, it was quite fun, especially the bishop\u2019s hat ears where those silly large ears met in the middle, very funny stuff.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"When
The ears change so much at that early age. Particularly i found they would droop more when he was tired. I assumed this was to do with blood flow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Do German Shepherds\u2019 Ears Stand Up?<\/h2>\n

12-16 Weeks is average.<\/strong><\/p>\n

24 weeks is when your german shepherds\u2019 ears are about decided.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those wonderful perky ears tend to become a permanent fixture around the point that your gsd puppies begin the teething process, where your puppy will drop their baby teeth for the adult teeth.<\/p>\n

The general age range for German Shepherd Puppy\u2019s ears to stand up is initially about 8-12 weeks old. However, there is quite a bit of variability in this timeline. Some puppies will have their ears standing erect by 8 weeks, while others may take up to 24 weeks ( 6 puppy months) before they are fully erect and standing straight up on their own, and others will have different ear positions every day you wake up until they finally settle.<\/p>\n

The best way to check if your puppy\u2019s ears are going through the process of standing up is by observing them closely over time. If you notice any changes in their position or shape, then it\u2019s likely that their ears are beginning their journey toward becoming fully upright!<\/p>\n

The Development of German Shepherd Puppy\u2019s Ears<\/h2>\n

The development of a German Shepherd puppy\u2019s ears is an intriguing process. At birth, their ears are floppy and gradually rise as they grow older, but it\u2019s a bit of a fight because those large ears are a heavy process. The timeline for their ears to stand up depends on genetics, but generally speaking, you should expect erect ears by around 12 weeks old (3 months of age).<\/p>\n

The first stage in this process is when the puppies\u2019 ears begin to flop down over their head \u2013 this usually happens within the first week after birth (though some pups will take longer). As they get older, their ears will start pointing straight out from their heads instead of hanging down like an umbrella over their face! Eventually, these floppy appendages will become more rigid and stiffen up into what we know as \u201cpermanent\u201d German Shepherd puppy ears \u2013 but don\u2019t worry if yours don\u2019t get there quite yet!<\/p>\n

\"When
Up down, up down\u2026 they do have a lot of personality though!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Factors Affecting the Timeline of Ear Development<\/h2>\n

The timeline of ear development depends on several factors, here are the most common reasons the ears of your german shepherd puppy may not be standing or in the correct position.<\/p>\n

Genetics and individual variation<\/strong>\u00a0are two of the most significant factors. They inherit a lot of it from their parents! And this is the main reason that a gsd puppy ears may not stand up by the suggested weeks of age, but nutrition and potential health issues, such as ear infections or allergies, can also play a role in how quickly your puppy\u2019s ears stand up.<\/p>\n

The role of the\u00a0teething phase\u00a0<\/strong>in ear development is another important factor to consider when determining when your German Shepherd puppy will have upright ears.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chewing on toys<\/strong>\u00a0can help strengthen the temporalis muscle and the base of the ear, which can lead to a more upright position. So plenty of chew toys (head to the best puppy toys<\/a>), and let\u2019s see if those pointy ears appear!<\/p>\n

Collagen\u00a0<\/strong>is another important factor in ear development. \u00a0Collagen is a connective tissue that helps to maintain the structure of the cartilage. It can be found in bones and in things like beef tendons, which may help your puppy\u2019s ears stand up more quickly. You can find collagen in bully sticks too!<\/p>\n

Are Droopy Ears Accepted?<\/h2>\n

German Shepherd Dog ears per AKC\u00a0Breed Standard<\/a>\u00a0are meant to be erect, and not droopy.\u00a0
\u201cEars are moderately pointed, in proportion to the skull, open toward the front, and carried erect when at attention, the ideal carriage being one in which the center lines of the ears, viewed from the front, are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. A dog with cropped or hanging ears must be disqualified. Seen from the front the forehead is only moderately arched, and the skull slopes into the long, wedge-shaped muzzle without abrupt stop.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

However, just because they\u2019re not accepted in shows, it doesn\u2019t mean they cannot make a\u00a0phenomenal pet!\u00a0<\/em>Just remember, that it really isn\u2019t a good idea to breed a dog who has floppy ears, and ethical breeders<\/a> will not continue to breed dogs with incorrect ears.<\/p>\n

\"When
When indie came home at 8 weeks, his ears were firmly flopped down, but we waited and had faith, they finally settled to being upright at around 4 months.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to Support Healthy Ear Development<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Provide proper nutrition:<\/strong>\u00a0A balanced diet, including small amounts of cottage cheese, can help provide enough calcium for both teeth and ear cartilage development.<\/li>\n
  2. Ensure a safe, stress-free environment:<\/strong>\u00a0This is essential for the overall health and well-being of your puppy \u2013 generally speaking. So ensuring there\u2019s no stress or punishment<\/a> is a wonderful way to support our pup\u00a0generally.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. Avoid interfering with ear development:<\/strong>\u00a0Be cautious with rough play, which could cause permanent damage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Naturally, we also want to avoid infections, which means we need to consider a balanced diet really high on our list as nutrition is the cornerstone of everything to do with health and our puppy\u2019s diet is no different. I\u2019d thoroughly encourage you to pick the\u00a0very best\u00a0<\/em>food you can afford, as it\u2019ll give your german shepherd\u2019s body the best chance of doing what it needs to do, including helping ears stand. Fish oil, vitamin E, and probiotics can help support healthy ears in German Shepherds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    If your German Shepherd is currently experiencing ear issues, consider changing their diet to eliminate a potential allergy (consulting a vet can be really good option for this). It is also important to keep your German Shepherd\u2019s ears clean and dry. The first step in preventing ear problems for your German Shepherd is to keep them clean. Make sure that their ears are dry before bathing them, and make sure that they don\u2019t get wet during swimming or other activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    If you notice that there\u2019s an excessive amount of wax build-up in your dog\u2019s ears, then you should use a cotton swab to remove it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your German Shepherd puppy\u2019s ears is a must for the health of their ears. You can use a gentle, pet-specific ear cleaner on a regular basis to clean your puppy\u2019s ears and avoid using cotton swabs or anything that could damage the ear canal. In addition, chewing helps relieve stress and build muscles that support healthy ear development.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Giving your German Shepherd toys, chews or a ball<\/a> forces the puppy to use its paws and exert pressure on different muscles and bones, which can help ears stand. <\/p>\n

    \"When
    The bishop\u2019s hat-style ears always made me smile. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Is There Anything I Can Do If My GSD\u2019s Ears\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0<\/em>Stand Up?<\/h2>\n

    Sometimes a german shepherd parent might want to do something to help our dogs ears to stand up, and it can feel like they\u2019re just not going to do it on their own \u2013 so how can you help? If it\u2019s really important to you, what can you do to help those puppy\u2019s ears turn into the perfect pointy ears!\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Ear Taping \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0One option is to tape your dog\u2019s ears using foam rollers, self-adhering waterproof dog wrap, and clean popsicle sticks. This process is easy to try and only takes a few items. It is important to avoid using regular tapes (like duct tape) that you have around your house or they will tear and rip your dog\u2019s tender skin. Please do consult a vet or an expert about this!\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Massage \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Some theories say that massaging the ear base is an idea, it\u2019s a bit of an old wives tale, but it\u2019s good to know. Theoretically, it would be helping to stimulate blood flow.<\/p>\n

    Vitamin C \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Another option is to ensure that your German Shepherd is getting enough vitamin C. This is perhaps the most important thing you can do to help the cartilage in their ears develop normally. You can either feed your German Shepherd vitamin C supplements along with their regular food, or you can feed your German Shepherd actual food sources of vitamin C.<\/p>\n

    Collagen<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u00a0collagen can supplement stronger cartilage and help larger ears stand up.<\/p>\n

    Vet Trip \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>in some instances ears not standing can be caused by hormonal imbalances.<\/p>\n

    Alternatively\u2026<\/p>\n

    Accept Them \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Accepting that your dog is your dog and they are the way they are, is the best choice, as after all, you didn\u2019t get a GSD for those! Because it\u2019s totally likely that as this is a natural process that just wants to be a certain way, and whilst some dogs are late bloomers, if your dog is in good health, and they\u2019re happy, then why fight it? Those big ears are adorable when floppy too!<\/p>\n

    \"When
    I do miss this though, we\u2019d just see the ears change so drastically. Very cute to see. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    If My Dog\u2019s Ears Don\u2019t Stand Up, Does It Mean Something Else May Be Wrong With Them?<\/h2>\n

    The most common medical reasons ears don\u2019t stand are;<\/p>\n