Tips For Maintaining German Shepherd Ears

Expert’s answer:

German Shepherd ears are known for their distinctive shape and can require some special care to keep them clean and healthy. Here are some tips for maintaining German Shepherd ears:

  1. Regular Cleaning: Cleaning your German Shepherd’s ears regularly can help prevent ear infections and keep them free from debris. Use a gentle, dog-friendly ear cleaning solution and cotton balls or pads to clean the outer part of the ear. Avoid inserting anything into the ear canal, as it can cause damage.
  2. Inspect for Infections: Regularly inspect your German Shepherd’s ears for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, discharge, or a foul odor. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
  3. Grooming: Proper grooming can help maintain the overall health of your German Shepherd’s ears. Regularly brushing your dog’s coat can help prevent mats and tangles that can trap moisture and lead to ear problems. Additionally, trimming the hair around the ears can help improve air circulation and prevent the accumulation of debris.
  4. Avoid Irritants: Be mindful of potential irritants that can affect your German Shepherd’s ears. Avoid exposing your dog to excessive moisture, such as swimming in dirty water, as it can increase the risk of ear infections. Additionally, keep your dog away from allergens, such as pollen or certain cleaning products, that can cause irritation.
  5. Seek Professional Help: If you are unsure about how to properly care for your German Shepherd’s ears or if you notice any concerning symptoms, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian. They can provide specific guidance based on your dog’s individual needs and help address any underlying issues.

It’s important to note that while these tips can help maintain the health of your German Shepherd’s ears, every dog is unique, and it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian for personalized advice and guidance.

Homemade ear cleaner for german shepherds
Homemade ear cleaner for german shepherds – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Can German Shepherd ears be taped?

In my experience, there is very little chance of success if a Shepherd puppy’s ears are taped after 7 or 8 months old and the puppy is not making a very strong effort to stand. At that stage of life, the cartilage has already begun to harden, and it very well may do so with a “crease”. Cardboard is a material that can be very strong, but once it has been bent, it will never be as strong as it was before the bend (much like how ears harden while they are down).

There are several methods you can employ to give your German Shepherd’s ears the extra lift they require.

Remove the tough plastic clip from the center of each roller and throw it away. Only the pink foam roller’s bouncy outer layer needs to be kept. If pink foam rollers are not available, grey foam pipe insulation tubing also works well. This will need to be cut to the proper length, and I often thin them out a bit with a scalpel blade as well. Since I can precisely fit the tubing to the dogs’ ears when they are sedated, I personally prefer it. However, I would suggest the rollers for domestic use.

German shepherd ear cleaning solution
German shepherd ear cleaning solution – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Why do breeders tape the ears of dogs?

Dogs’ ears are cropped for one and only one reason: to create a particular “look”. Simply put, it gives them a tougher, more commanding appearance. Breeds such as Dobermans in the past had their ears cropped as puppies and then splinted, or taped to pieces of wood or cardboard, to force their ears to grow upward rather than allowing them to go floppy. Nowadays, it’s common to see breeds like American bulldogs with their entire ears removed.

Dogs go through this grueling process just to give them a particular appearance. The dogs’ quality of life may be impacted, and it’s entirely up to the owner’s taste.

In order to completely eradicate ear cropping and the importation of cropped dogs from abroad (save when done so through a reputable rescue organization for rehoming), we want to see stricter regulations in England and Wales.

German shepherd ear infection home remedies
German shepherd ear infection home remedies – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How long can you leave the tape in a German Shepherd’s ears?

Two weeks should be given to the ear tape. The ears will then be taken out and allowed to breathe for a few days before being retaped. Until their ears can stand up, your dog will wear the tape. The process should be stopped and you should enjoy your adorable pup exactly as they are if the ears are not standing up on their own by 7 to 8 months.

We sincerely hope you find this video to be useful. Please feel free to share with your friends because we adore German shepherds, ears up or down.

How To Clean Your Dog’s Ears At Home is something else you might be interested in.

Why, at the age of eight months, are my German shepherd’s ears not up?

Even puppies from the same litter will mature in different ways. It could take some dogs up to seven months. Since the majority of German Shepherds’ ears develop permanently at around eight to nine months old, if they do not stand up by then, they probably never will.

Do German shepherds have ears that can be trained to stand up?

Up. Your handsome dog will grow up looking the part and developing healthy ears thanks to this training.

What can I do to assist my floppy-eared dog?

Floppy dog ears can be difficult to maintain because of the way they are built, which traps moisture, hair, wax, and other debris. This creates the ideal environment for otitis externa, the dreaded ear infection. If your dog has floppy ears, regular cleaning can help prevent a buildup of substances that contribute to infections. If an infection does develop, you will need to clean your dog’s ears to get rid of microorganisms causing inflammation and discomfort as soon as possible before infections cause permanent damage to ear structures.

Best ear cleaner for german shepherds
Best ear cleaner for german shepherds – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What aids in the erecting of German Shepherd puppies’ ears?

How to Encourage the Upright Ears Genes in Your German Shepherd Puppy. DNA is important. dot. Avoid touching. What is this? Calcium is ineffective. In the bones of the ear are none. The inner ear does, but you can’t see it. dot. An aid is chewing. In each ear of a dog, there are 18 muscles. dot. Relax. dot. Taping/Gluing.

If I had a dollar for each time I’ve heard this question or seen it posted on forums going back to AOL chat rooms and Yahoo Answers, I’d be sailing off
the coast of Vietnam right now. What can you do to help your dog’s ears stand? Yes, I admittedly dated myself a little with the AOL and Yahoo Answers references, but I desperately need those dollars.

Biology is important. Purchasing a puppy from parents with in-standard shape, placement, and size that stand strongly increases the likelihood that your puppy will have similar ears, just as having puppies from hip-scored parents will lower your puppy’s risk of developing hip dysplasia or just as having puppies from parents who were show champions will increase your puppy’s chance of becoming a show champion. DNA cannot be tricked, under any circumstances. If this is a major concern for you, as it is for some people, start with a healthy puppy whose parents have undergone health testing and whose ears are in-standard. I’m aware that by the time this question is posed, the person asking it has already decided on a puppy, which means that they no longer have control over the most crucial factor, genetics. We’ll now move on to advice for the puppy you have right now, not the one you get later.

I’m sure you want to play with those adorable little satellite dishes, but refrain from doing so. They have a harder time firming up as the puppy ages the more you flex and bend them. Petting a puppy is acceptable. Pet your puppy, but make sure to pet them backwards, in the direction that their ears naturally point. It won’t be of any help to play with them.

German shepherd ear mites
German shepherd ear mites – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

My German shepherd’s ear fell off, why?

A puppy’s mouth may need additional calcium during the teething process to support the growth. As a result, their bodies might take calcium from other places, like the ears, weakening their skeletal structure and causing them to flop.

Even during this time, you might notice that the appearance of their ears varies daily. Depending on their mood, they might be upright one day and floppy the next, or even change throughout the day. This is completely normal, and don’t worry, it will pass quickly. After their hormones have calmed down, their ears will resume their original shape.

If the ears on your German Shepherd have always been floppy, it might just be genetics. While upright ears are the norm for German Shepherds, occasionally they can have floppy or partially pricked ears. It is uncommon, but genetics can also influence a dog’s ear shape in the same way that it can affect their coat length, eye color, and coat color.

Due to the breeding practices of their breeder, German Shepherds can also have floppy ears. The German Shepherd breed standard published by the American Kennel Club specifies that the dog’s ears should be “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”. Large ears are a trait that judges of dog competitions and shows frequently look for in a breed.

How do I keep my dog’s ears raised?

Additionally, it begins to get stronger as the year progresses.

How to clean german shepherd
How to clean german shepherd – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Why won’t my puppy’s ears on his German Shepherd stay up?

Floppy ears are typical during your German Shepherd’s teething period, which typically lasts between 16 and 20 weeks, most breeders and veterinarians will inform you. By that time, the ear’s cartilage has developed into a solid, hard structure that can support the ear on its own.

You may observe the ears rising naturally for a day or two during the teething period, or when your dog barks, becomes agitated, or is startled by a loud noise. When the teething phase is over, you can be fairly certain that the ears will stand permanently if you’ve observed them standing up on their own for any length of time during the first five months.

You may want to speak with your veterinarian or breeder if your German Shepherd’s ears are not erect by the time he is five months old and you want this appearance. The ear cartilage is still soft enough to encourage the ear into an upright position between the fifth and seventh month. The ears typically develop into their adult shape by the eighth month.

How often to clean german shepherd ears
How often to clean german shepherd ears – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Are German Shepherd ears that don’t stand up bad?

Yes, genetics can cause the ears of GSDs to be floppy. When they are puppies, people who are careless and rub their ears too hard risk breaking the cartilage. Just be understanding when people see your GSD’s puppies’ ears. They will stand up when they are ready; I had to wait until my puppy was 32 weeks old. Cached.

I receive numerous emails asking about taping German Shepherd puppies’ ears. Most of these emails are sent by hasty, overly concerned individuals. That is to say, they are beginning to panic because their puppy’s ears are not standing at the age of 3 or 4 months. I advise them to exercise patience and wait until their dog’s teething is over.

I advise them not to rush the process and tape the dog’s ears incorrectly or too soon. I know people who have permanently damaged their dog’s ears by doing this. I’ve dealt with puppy buyers who attack me angrily and become frightened. So let me warn you right now.

Having said that, many people do not take the negative aspects of taping ears seriously until it is too late. There is very little chance of success when ears are taped at 7 and 8 months. This is a regrettable reality.

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Tips For Maintaining German Shepherd Ears.
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Chelsea Vaughn

Chelsea is a former marine biologist who switched gears in her twenties to build a small house and start a business. She enjoys traveling and going on hiking adventures with her husband, their two Australian Shepherds and their African Grey Parrot.

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  • my dogs vet had the puppy lay down on a blanket.. not forceful and told me to watch and he wants me to do it every 3-4 weeks. the puppy never moved and he loves the vet like my other 2 dogs . i say “get in the truck mike wants you” they jump in. its funny how much they love their vet… most dogs fight to get away… they fight to get in lol