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When Do Puppies’ Ears Stand Up?

Are your puppy’s ears droopy despite belonging to a breed known for their naturally pointy ears? If your fur baby is less than half a year old, then it could be just a matter of time.

The average time for a puppy’s ears to stand up is approximately six months from their date of birth.

That said, however, even the puppy’s breed can’t guarantee the direction of his ears. So, keep reading to know when your puppies’ ears will stand up, if at all.

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When Do Puppy Ears Stand Up?

The age when puppies’ ears are strong enough to stand up is different for every pup. There are two factors that affect this trait: genetics and the condition of their health.

The good news is that there are things you can try to encourage your puppy’s ears to bolt upright.

Breed

Photo of Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Almost all puppies are born with their cute ears flat on their head. Then, when they’re about a month old, the cartilage in their ears will start to get firmer.

Some puppies have erect ears even as early as three weeks of age, like the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute.

Yet, the general age for most dogs when they start showing pointy ears is when they’re six to eight months old. Chihuahuas and Australian Cattle Dogs are two great examples.

If you have a Pembroke or a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, there’s a 50/50 chance that your puppy’s ears will either stand up or flop down indefinitely. Dogs with mixed-breed parents, whose ears are a combination of perky and droopy, are likely to have one bent and one upright ear.

Moreover, if your puppy is a Dobermann Pinscher or a Pit Bull, the bent ears may surprise you. The first thing you’ll probably notice is that their ears aren’t pointy like you see in a lot of the photos.

Yet, that’s not how their ears are supposed to be. They’re either rosebud-shaped, characterized by curling at the tip, or half-prick.

Those photos you see of Dobies’ and Pitties’ pointy ears result from cropping. Although ear cropping may make them look more fierce and appealing to some dog owners, many experts advise against this procedure.

Doberman pincher lying on the green grass with metal fence behind

Great Danes and Boxers are a couple of other breeds commonly subjected to ear cropping.

In rare cases, even dogs of a breed with naturally pointy ears can get droopy ones. An injury, illness, or malnutrition can cause upright ears to hang low.

If you suspect any of the mentioned, it’s better to talk with your vet.

Nutrition

Ear cartilages, like bones, need sufficient amounts of calcium to stay strong. For this reason, a dog’s perky ears may start to droop when he’s teething.

This usually happens because most of the calcium goes to their growing teeth during this critical period. Then, after teething, the ears prop up almost immediately once their calcium levels are stable.

However, some ears remain low if their calcium intake isn’t enough to keep up with their growing demands.

So, if you’re a pawrent who’s particular about their furbaby’s ears, make sure that they get a well-balanced, calcium-rich diet.

Also, take this into account if you’re grooming your puppy for a show where pointy ears are a requirement.

If your pup’s ears are hanging after six months, don’t panic. As long as your pooch is healthy and strong, then his ears will be up and pointy before you know it.

Besides teething, the hold-up could be caused by any of the following:

  • Constant petting of the ears towards the back of the head
  • Excessive rubbing or rough handling of the ears
  • Other puppies or dogs chewing on the ears during the puppy’s first months 
  • Ear flaps are larger and heavier than normal
  • Growth spurts

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Signs That Your Puppy’s Ears Will Stand Up

If you own a mixed-breed puppy with a good chance of having pointy ears, watch out for these early signs listed below. They’ll let you know early on whether your pup will have floppy or upright ears.

  • Their ears are higher up on their head than breeds with pendant ears.
  • Their ears are closer together.
  • Their ears stand up when they’re excited, even as small puppies.

How to Help Make Puppy’s Ears Stand Up

If waiting until your puppy’s six months old is too hard, there are things you can do to encourage their ears to stand up. However, note that these will only work if the ears are closer together and higher on the pup’s head.

Taping the Ears

Photo of Copping

Taping the ears together can help floppy ears remain upright. Dog handlers and caretakers usually do this until the cartilages are sturdy enough to hold up the ears.

It may be necessary to trim the ears to lessen the weight and for the tape to adhere better. Be sure to use medical tape or something similar that won’t hurt the puppy.

Usually, owners tape the pup’s ears for a week at a time, with a few days in between for the ears to rest.

When doing this, remember that puppies are smarter than you think. Keep them within your sight as much as possible when they’re wearing the tape. They can almost often remove the tape and ingest them, which isn’t worth the trouble of trying to have pointy ears.

Your puppy’s well-being should always be your number one priority. Thus, it’s a good idea to refer to a professional for advice on how to best carry out this procedure.

Dietary Supplements

You’ve probably never heard of this before, but there are supplements for floppy ears. These are usually calcium-enriched foods or those that contain cartilage.

When in doubt about which product is best for your pup, always consult with your local veterinarian.

What Not to Do

We know puppies are irresistibly cute, but keep yourself from ruffling their ears too vigorously.

The reason is that, when they’re less than six months old, the ear cartilages are still fragile and can easily break down. As a result, it can cause the ears to flop in the long run.