The AKC currently recognizes erect, prick, and droopy ears as a “fault,” so most dogs in the U.S. do not have ears that stand up. But it is possible for a completely purebred Australian Shepherd to end up with erect ears. This occurrence is rare, and most of these dogs are sold as “pet-quality” animals.
What are Aussie ears supposed to look like? The breed standards describe a moderate sized, triangular ear with a slightly rounded tip that sits high on the head. The ears may break forward or to the side (“rose” ear) when at attention.
Having ears back is often a welcoming gesture from your dog. They are trying to get close to you without looking threatening. It is a friendly demonstration accompanied by a happy-looking face and loose body language. They feel comfortable, and they would try to make you feel the same way with them.
For those less than perfect more challenging ears you may want to begin the glueing process around 9 or 10 weeks. Remember you cannot turn ears into something they are not, you can only hope to make them the best they can be.
Australian Cattle Dogs, or Blue Heelers, can have their ears standing by five weeks but have been known to take as long as 24 weeks.
All puppies are born with cute floppy ears that fall in front of their heads, but as they grow, their cartilage might harden to make the ear perk straight from their heads, giving them a wolf-like appearance like a Husky or a German Shepherd.
Puppies are born with floppy ears. They have not yet developed and the physical characteristics they present as puppies can be much more different when they are adults. Just being a puppy is one of the most common reasons your dog has a floppy ear.
Most breeders and veterinarians will tell you that floppy ears are common while your German Shepherd is teething, which usually ends between 16 and 20 weeks. By then, the cartilage in the ear has become hard and strong enough for the ear to stand permanently.
The agency said it favors floppy-eared dogs over pointy-eared dogs, especially in the jobs that require interacting with traveling passengers, because floppy-eared dogs appear friendlier and less aggressive. “It presents just a little bit less of a concern,” the T.S.A.
No Massages For Floppy Ears
It's unclear whether massaging your puppy's ears would help them stand. Generally, it seems that breeders and veterinarians feel that ear massages break down the cartilage, preventing the ears from standing. There's no hard proof either way, but to be safe, I'd try not to mess with them.
Solid black and red coats are the least common coats among Aussie dogs, with solid red being the absolute rarest. The red-colored gene is recessive in dogs, meaning red fur must be present in both parents to make a red-colored pup.
You can determine whether a black dog is red factored several ways: If it has a liver parent or offspring, by doing a DNA test, or by breeding it to a liver colored dog to see if you get liver puppies.
These dogs do not always have blue eyes, but pale blue, “ghostly” eyes are common among the breed.
Most Australian Shepherds should begin calming down at two years of age. At this point, they're considered mature dogs who can better regulate their energy.
Care must be taken that they don't naturally 'herd' children. They are loyal and devoted to their families and content with snuggling on the couch, but they do have high-energy needs. Long daily walks as well as off-leash running and games are required for a healthy and happy Australian Shepherd.
In many cases, your pup's floppy ear has to do with a lack of growth and maturity, and it will straighten out over time. However, the one-ear flop can also be for several other reasons, including health conditions, injury, and behavior. While your dog's one flopped ear may concern you, there's no need to panic.
Snoopy, comic-strip character, a spotted white beagle with a rich fantasy life.
Every puppy is different. The ears can first go up at any time from four weeks old to never. If the ears are going to stand naturally they would be up between four and seven months of age and after her adult teeth have come in. It is not unusual to see the ears go up and down during the teething process.