One of the most unique and defining physical characteristics of the German Shepherd dog is its erect ears. But at what stage do German Shepherd puppies’ ears stand up?
The answer to this question is not as simple as it might seem. In fact, there are several factors that can influence when the ears of a German Shepherd puppy stand up.
Read on to learn more about when do German Shepherd puppies’ ears stand up and what you can expect during this process.
How Long Do German Shepherds Have Floppy Ears?
The age range when a German Shepherd’s ears hang loose is typically between 4 and 6 months old, or 16 to 24 weeks. During this time, the puppy’s ears are going through a teething process and will often droop until the new teeth come in.
Some puppies’ ears may not droop until they are older, while others may start to droop at a younger age. There is no definitive answer as to when a German Shepherd’s ears will start to droop, as each dog is different. However, knowing that this is a common occurrence during the teething process can help puppy owners be prepared for when it happens.
At What Stage Do German Shepherd Puppies Ears Rise?
The average age at which German Shepherd puppies’ ears stand up is around 6 to 8 months old, or 26 to 32 weeks. However, it is not uncommon for German Shepherd puppies to have their ears standing up as early as 4 months old or 16 weeks.
It is also not unusual for German Shepherd puppies to have their ears stand up as late as 10 months old or 40 weeks. So, if you are wondering at what age do German Shepherd puppies’ ears stand up, the answer is that it can vary depending on the individual dog.
The teething process is the most common reason for a German Shepherd Puppy’s ears to not stand up. When the new teeth are coming in, the cartilage in the ears is soft and can cause the ears to droop.
Once the teething process is complete and all of the adult teeth have come in, the cartilage will harden, and the ears will eventually stand up.
Why Won’t My German Shepherd’s Ears Stand Up?
There can be several reasons why a German Shepherd Puppy’s ears are not standing up at the expected age. As mentioned above, the most common reason is that the puppy is going through the teething process and the ears are drooping because of the soft cartilage.
Once all of the adult teeth have come in, the cartilage will harden and the ears will eventually stand up. However, if the teething process is still ongoing at 6 to 8 months old, then it is likely that the ears will not stand up until it is completed.
Another reason why a German Shepherd Puppy’s ears may not be standing up at the expected age is if there is an issue with the ear canal. If there is wax build-up, for example, or an infection, this can prevent the ears from standing up.
If you suspect that there may be an issue with the ears of your German Shepherd puppy and they are not yet standing at the expected age, it is important to take them to a veterinarian for a check-up. The vet can determine what may be causing the problem and recommend treatment.
What Causes German Shepherd Puppies Ears To Stand Up?
So what exactly causes a German Shepherd Puppy’s ears to stand up? There are many factors that can influence this process, including:
- The shape of the ear canal
- The size and placement of the earrings
- The thickness of the ear cartilage
- The amount of earwax present
- The presence of an infection
All of these factors can influence whether or not a German Shepherd Puppy’s ears will stand up. For example, if the ear canal is too narrow or the cartilage is too thin, this can prevent the ears from standing up.
Final Thoughts
Erect ears are a defining characteristic of the German Shepherd breed, which is why most owners wonder at what stage do German Shepherd puppies ears rise. While this is largely dependent on the individual dog, the average age is around 6 to 8 months old.
