Ears Not Standing Up

Many owners of breeds like German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and other shepherd-type dogs worry when their puppy’s ears do not stand up right away. In most cases, this is completely normal.

Puppy ears often go through different stages as they grow. It is common for ears to stand up, fall down, or tilt during the early months of development.

Most puppies’ ears begin standing naturally between 8 weeks and 6 months of age as the cartilage becomes stronger.

At South Bay K9, we often see puppies whose ears take time to fully develop, especially during growth and teething stages.

Why Puppy Ears Sometimes Stay Down

There are several reasons a puppy’s ears may not stand up immediately.

Teething Stage

During teething, a puppy’s body uses calcium to develop teeth. This can temporarily affect the strength of the ear cartilage, causing ears to drop.

Genetics

Some dogs naturally have stronger ear cartilage than others. Genetics can influence how quickly ears stand.

Growth Changes

As puppies grow rapidly, their ears may go through different stages before settling into their final position.

When Ears Usually Stand Up

For many shepherd breeds, ears begin standing between 3 to 5 months old. During this time it is normal for ears to change position multiple times.

Some puppies may have one ear up and one ear down for several weeks while their cartilage develops.

In most cases, patience is the best approach.