When Do German Shepherd Ears Stand Up? Unlock the Mystery

As a German Shepherd parent, you might wonder when German Shepherd ears stand up. It’s natural to want to know when your pup’s ears will perk up, as those floppy ears often look so cute! Let’s unlock the mystery and discover when German Shepherd ears stand up.

Anatomy of a German Shepherd’s Ear

At the fundamental level, we must understand the anatomy of a German Shepherd’s ear. German Shepherds are born with floppy ears, and the cartilage in their ears makes them stand upright as they grow.

German Shepherds have long, pointed ears that are the most prominent feature of their face.

The ear structure comprises three parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

The outer ear: The part we see, and it’s made up of the ear flap, the ear canal, and the ear drum. The ear flap is the part attached to the skull that helps shape and hold the ear.

The ear canal: The tube that runs from the ear flap to the ear drum. 

The eardrum: A thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves enter the ear, sending signals to the brain.

The middle ear: Filled with air and contains three tiny bones, the ossicles. These bones transmit sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. They also help to control the level of sound entering the ear.

The inner ear is where the sound is converted into electrical signals and sent to the brain. It also contains a small organ called the cochlea, which is responsible for balance and coordination.

Now that we’ve understood how the German Shepherd’s ear works let’s look at when German Shepherd ears stand up.

When Do German Shepherd Ears Stand Up?

German Shepherd ears are known to stand up anywhere between 4 to 6 months of age. However, this can vary depending on the pup. 

Some German Shepherds may take longer than six months for their ears to stand up, while others may take less.

It is essential to know that the age at which German Shepherd ears stand up is not an exact science, and the exact timing can vary from pup to pup. That being said, a few factors can affect when German Shepherd ears stand up.

Factors That Affect When German Shepherd Ears Stand Up

Several factors can affect when German Shepherd ears stand up, such as genetics, diet, environment, and overall health. 

Let’s take a closer look at these factors and how they can affect the timing of when German Shepherd ears stand up.

Genetics: The genetics of a pup can significantly affect when its ears stand up. Some German Shepherds may have ears that stand up earlier due to their genetics, while others may take longer.

Diet: A healthy and balanced diet is essential for a pup’s overall health, and it can also play a role when German Shepherd ears stand up. A puppy not getting the proper nutrients may take longer for their ears to stand up.

Environment: The environment that a pup is raised in can also affect when its ears stand up. If a puppy is in a noisy environment or is exposed to loud noises, their ears may take longer to stand up.

Overall Health: The overall health of a pup can also play a role in when their ears stand up. If a puppy is unwell or has a medical condition, it may take longer for its ears to stand up.

Now that we’ve looked at the factors that can affect when German Shepherd ears stand up, let’s look at some common ear problems.

Common German Shepherd Ear Problems

German Shepherd ear problems are common, ranging from mild to severe. The most common German Shepherd ear problems include:

Otitis Externa: Inflammation in the outer ear canal. Bacterial or fungal infections cause it and can be very painful for your German Shepherd. Symptoms include redness, swelling, discharge, and itching. Treatment usually involves antibiotics or antifungal medications.

Otitis Media: Inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by a viral infection or bacterial infection, can cause severe pain for your pup. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, difficulty hearing, and discharge from the ear canal. Treatment usually involves antibiotics or antiviral medications.

Otitis Interna: Otitis interna is an inner ear inflammation that bacterial or viral infections can cause. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, and head tilt. Treatment typically involves antibiotics or antiviral medications, depending on the cause of the infection.

Ear Mites: Tiny parasites that can infest your German Shepherd’s ears. Symptoms include redness, itching, and discharge from the ear. Treatment usually involves topical medications or ear drops to kill the mites.

Allergies: Allergies can irritate your German Shepherd’s ears. Symptoms include redness, itching, and discharge from the ear. Treatment typically involves avoiding the allergen or using antihistamines to reduce symptoms.

Foreign Bodies: Foreign bodies such as grass awns or foxtails can become lodged in your German Shepherd’s ears. Symptoms include redness, itching, and discharge from the ear. Treatment usually involves removing the foreign body and cleaning the ear canal.

Yeast Infections: Yeast infections can cause inflammation and irritation in your German Shepherd’s ears. Symptoms include redness, itching, and discharge from the ear. Treatment typically involves cleaning the ear canal and using antifungal medications to clear the infection.

How to Care for German Shepherd Ears

Caring for German Shepherd ears is essential to prevent ear problems and keep them healthy and standing upright. 

Here are a few tips on how to care for German Shepherd ears:

• Keep your pup’s ears clean using a damp cloth and a gentle ear cleaner.
• Regularly check for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge.
• Trim the fur around the ears to keep it from blocking the ear canal.
• Use ear protection to prevent hearing damage if your pup is exposed to loud noises.

How to Get German Shepherd Ears to Stand Up

Getting your German Shepherd’s ears to stand up can be tricky, but it is possible with the proper methods and techniques. These methods include training, diet, and specific products to help the ears stand up.

The Tape Method involves tapping the ears with medical tape to help them stand up.

Wrap: Wrap the ear with a bandage or a piece of cloth to help keep it in place.

Bridge the ears: Using your hands, bridge the ears together and press them gently against each other to hold them up.

Re-tape: If necessary, re-tape the ears every few days or weeks to help maintain their shape.

Breaks: Allow breaks between taping so your pup’s skin can breathe and heal.

Know when to give up: If you still cannot get your pup’s ears to stand up after several attempts, it may be best to accept it as part of their natural look.

The proper diet: A well-balanced diet will provide essential vitamins and minerals for healthy cartilage growth, which can help your pup’s ears stand up.

Clicker training: Clicker training can help teach your pup to keep its ears up.

Go to the vet: If you still have trouble getting your pup’s ears to stand up, it’s best to visit a veterinarian for advice.

Conclusion

Now that we have answered the question, when do German Shepherd ears stand up? We can see that the exact timing can vary from pup to pup. 

It is essential to know the factors that can affect when German Shepherd ears stand up and how to care for them properly. 

If your pup’s ears take longer than expected to stand up, you can do a few things to help the process.

If you have questions about when German Shepherd ears stand up or how to care for them, consult your vet for professional advice.

Now that you know when German Shepherd ears stand up, you can enjoy watching your pup’s ears perk up as they grow and develop!