Do you have a German Shepherd at home as a new member of the family?
Are you interested in adopting or buying a puppy of this breed?
Are you worried that your German Shepherd doesn't perk up its ears?
If you are any of the above, or if you are simply curious, you will be interested in reading this article. Below, we tell you all about when do German Shepherds ears stand up, as there are some differences compared to other breeds. Read on to find out!
What age do puppies ears stand up?
This is not an exact science, as you might guess, but depends on the breed and, to a large extent, also on the genes of each animal.
Many breeds of dogs do not prick up their ears but have them drooping or folded under their own weight, such as the Cocker Spaniel, the Golden Retriever, or the Beagle, among others. However, there are other breeds that do raise their ears, such as French bulldogs, German shepherds, huskies, and border collies, for example.
Generally, dogs will start to prick up their ears at three or four months of age, but there are some that can take as long as eight months, so don't worry. Within the same breed, even within the same litter, there can be many variations. For example, while a puppy will perk up its ears at four months, its sibling may not do so until seven months.
However, you should pay attention to how your puppy's growth and development is developing and to the developmental process just in case your puppy needs some kind of help or supplementation.
When do German Shepherd puppies ears stand up
German Shepherds are large dogs and, likewise, their ears are also heavy and large, so they may need more time to raise their ears and make them stand firm and erect.
It is normal for them to be able to lift their ears from the age of three months, as this is when the cartilage begins to harden. However, it is important to bear in mind that some puppies will not develop their ears until they moult, i.e., after six months of age.
Even so, just because the puppy starts to be able to lift them does not mean that from one day to the next they will be perfectly firm, but some days they will be droopy, some days wobbly, and some days they will appear more upright, just as it is normal for them to be crooked at first. This will be the case until your cartilage is strong enough to keep them up all the time.
However, all these figures we have given you are approximate, as the genes of the parents, the food, and vitamins the dog acquires play an important role, as well as other aspects.
Why is my dog's ears not standing up?
Most often, he simply does not pick them up because it is not yet time for him to do so. Every dog has its own cycles, stages, and genetics, so it is important not to compare your puppy with others. Just be patient, give him all the care he needs and, very importantly, try not to touch his ears. They are very fragile and, as they do not yet have strong enough cartilage, you could deform or twist them if you touch them too much.
On the other hand, if you see that seven months have passed and your dog has not made any progress in raising its ears, we recommend that you consult your veterinary clinic, as they will be able to give you advice and, if necessary, prescribe vitamins for your little one. The vet will also recommend whether a corrective bandage is advisable in your case. This should always be done under professional supervision and approval; it is best not to try to do it yourself, as you may cause your little one's ears to become crooked or crooked forever.
The importance of vitamins and nutrition
Animals absorb the necessary nutrients and vitamins in their food, so it is essential that we keep them well fed and perfectly healthy, so that they can grow without problems and do not develop diseases or abnormalities in the future.
On the other hand, there are some cases in which veterinarians recommend vitamins and minerals to puppies, especially if they see that the period considered normal has passed and the dog's ears are not standing up. These are usually concentrated foods that give pets the extra vitamins they need.
All in all, you now know more about when German Shepherds prick up their ears. We hope all this information has been useful and, remember, you should generally not worry until they are seven months old if your German Shepherd doesn't prick up their ears. We also recommend that you discuss this with your veterinary clinic if you are concerned.
