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There’s something about French Bulldogs that just makes you want to melt. Maybe it’s their big, soulful eyes or their wrinkly little faces – but one thing is for sure: these dogs are irresistibly cute!
And one of the things that makes French Bulldogs so adorable is their ears.
However, their ears can also be a source of concern for many Frenchie parents. When do they stand up? Why are some floppy? How do you clean them properly?
There are many questions about French Bulldog ears – but don’t worry, we’ve got the answers!
This article will discuss everything you need to know about French Bulldog ears. From the different stages of growth, when they fully stand up, what to do if they stay floppy, how to clean them, some common ear problems Frenchie faces, and more!
So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
When Do French Bulldog Ears Stand Up?
One of the first things you’ll notice about a French Bulldog puppy is that their ears are flopped over. This is entirely normal for a French Bulldog to have floppy ears to start. However, over time most of their ears will stand up on their own!
Most French Bulldogs’ ears will start to stand up between two and four months old. However, some may take longer – it all depends on the dog. Some can take up to 7-8 months, and it’s also possible that they never stand up.
Around 10% of French Bulldogs end up with floppy ears for life!
To give you a better idea of where your French bulldogs’ ears might be in development, let’s look at the different stages of their ears’ growth.
French Bulldog Puppy Ear Stages
As full disclosure, not all French Bulldogs will have the same ear development stages as another.
So if they are not following the standard stages, this doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong or that their ears won’t stand up.
Here are the Common French Bulldog puppy ear stages:
New Born To 4 Weeks
All French Bulldog puppies are born with their ears flat against their head. Their ears are mostly closed off, making most French Bulldogs this age deaf.
After roughly 3 weeks, their ears will open up! They may still be flopped down, but they are beginning to open up more.
1 Month To 4 Months
This is the common age where their ears will start to stand up. They may not be all the way up, but you’ll see them slowly standing more and more each day!
If your Frenchie’s ears aren’t standing up by the time they are four months old, don’t worry!
Some Frenchies take a bit longer for their ears to stand up all the way. So just be patient and give them time.
4 Months To 8 Months
By this age, most French Bulldog puppy ears will fully stand up. However, there are still some that may not – and that’s okay!
Remember, every dog is different, and as long as they are healthy overall, there is no need to worry.
At this point, you may want to consider helping their ears stand up. We’ll discuss how to do that later in the article.
In addition, during this stage of development, french bulldogs will go through their second teething phase. This is when their adult teeth will start to come in, and they may start to chew more on things.
During teething, it’s not uncommon for Frenchies’ ears to fall down temporarily. In addition, it might cause one ear or both to flop down.
This is because as their teeth grow, they put pressure on the muscles in their face – including their ears.
Don’t worry, though. Once their teeth have finished growing in, their ears should return to standing up!
After 8 Months
By this age, most French Bulldogs will have erect ears. If they don’t, there’s a chance they never will.
Again, every dog is different, so there’s no need to worry if your Frenchie’s ears don’t stand up. They are still just as cute!
Why Aren’t My French Bulldogs Ears Standing?
There are several reasons why French Bulldog ears may not be standing. The most common cause is hereditary, which is passed down from their parents. Other possible causes of floppy French Bulldog ears include infections, trauma, teething, breeding issues, diet, or hygiene.
Tips To Help A French Bulldogs Ears Stand Up
To begin with, floppy ears on French Bulldogs are not always a health concern. You shouldn’t be concerned if your French Bulldog’s ears are flaccid and otherwise healthy.
Sometimes they may need fixing and help to stand up. However, so long as the dog is happy and healthy, that is all that matters.
Here are 5 things to help your French Bulldogs’ Ears stand up:
- French Bulldog puppies benefit significantly from chew toys as they help to strengthen the muscles in their face, jaw, and neck. This can also help their ears stand.
- Another method you can try to help your French Bulldog’s ears stand up is to give them supplements. After speaking with Dr. Littlejohn, he recommended Glucosamine as one of the best products to help with French Bulldogs’ ears.
- What your French Bulldog eats can also affect how their ears develop. This goes without saying, but a high-quality diet is something essential for all dogs.
- Another method is a surgical option. However, be aware this is an extreme measure and should be a last resort. For surgical solutions, some people get their Frenchies ear implants.
- Ear Taping is the most common method people use to help a French Bulldog’s ears stand up. This approach is popular because it is non-invasive and inexpensive.
For more information on French Bulldog floppy ears and how to help them stand up, check out our article: French Bulldog Floppy Ears: Why It Happens & 5 Fixes.
How To Tape A French Bulldogs Ears
I have found that the easiest way to tape my French Bulldog’s ears is with help from a friend. Having someone hold your Frenchie while you tape can make the process much smoother.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to tape your French Bulldog’s ears:
Step One: Prep The Ears
The first step is to clean your Frenchie ears. I find that ear wipes are helpful for this process. This aids in the removal of any filth or wax from their ears.
Step Two: Apply The Tape
Now it’s time to apply the tape. First, ensure that the breathable tape you use is not too sticky. To start, take your Frenchies ear and fold it at the base.
Attach the tape to the back of your Frenchie’s ear, then wrap it around their ears snugly but not too tight. You want it tight enough to keep their ears in place without cutting off circulation.
Now do the same thing on the other ear.
Step Three: Remove The Tape
After 3 days, remove the tape from your Frenchies ears to see if they are standing up. If not, wait a day, then re-apply the tape for another 3 days.
Repeat this process until their ears are finally standing.
Step 4: Inner Ear Taping (Optional)
If your Frenchies’ ears are mostly standing but have a few wrinkles or creases, you can try taping the inner part of their ear using medical tape.
To do this, start by taking a small piece of tape and placing it on the inside of your Frenchie’s ear. Then, take another piece of tape and place it over the first piece, so it forms an “X.”
The tape should help remove the wrinkles and creases in their ear.
French Bulldog Common Ear Problems
French Bulldogs are susceptible to several ear problems. This is due to their unique anatomy and the shape of their ears.
To prevent ear problems, it’s essential to clean their ears.
Here are some of the typical ear problems you can expect a French Bulldog to have:
Brachycephalic Traits
French Bulldogs have flat and compressed heads, which is why they are classified as a brachycephalic breed.
This unique skull shape creates several problems for French Bulldogs, including difficulty breathing and increased susceptibility to heatstroke. It can also cause their eyes and ears to be positioned differently than other dogs.
The positioning of their ears makes them more prone to ear infections. This is because their ear canals are short and narrow. This makes it harder for air to circulate and keeps their ears warm and moist – the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
Bat Ear Shape
Another reason French Bulldogs are more prone to ear infections is the shape of their ears.
French Bulldogs have what’s known as “bat ears.” Their ears are long and narrow, with a broad base that flares out at the bottom.
This unique shape makes it difficult for air to circulate inside the ear. Unfortunately, it also makes dust, dirt, and other debris more likely to become trapped inside.
Hearing
French Bulldogs can also be prone to hearing loss. This is due to their unique skull shape and the positioning of their ears.
The bones in a French Bulldog’s skull are positioned close together, which can cause the inner ear structures to be damaged. This damage can lead to hearing loss.
Allergies
French Bulldogs can also be prone to allergies.
Allergies can cause a number of problems for French Bulldogs, including itchy skin, runny eyes, and ear infections.
Burns
Since Frenchies’ ears are large and flared open, they are more likely to get sunburned.
To prevent this, you should apply sunscreen to your French Bulldog’s ears before taking them outside.
Wax Build Up
French Bulldogs can also be prone to wax build-up.
This is because their ear canals are short and narrow, which makes it difficult for the wax to drain out. When wax build-ups, it can cause ear infections.
If you notice that your French Bulldog’s ears are starting to look dirty or have a lot of wax build-up, you should clean them.
Infections
Last on our list of common French Bulldog ear problems is infections.
Ear infections are the most common type of infection in French Bulldogs. This is due to their unique anatomy and the shape of their ears.
French Bulldogs are prone to ear infections because their ear canals are short and narrow. This makes it harder for air to circulate and keeps their ears warm and moist – the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
If you notice that your French Bulldog’s ears are red, swollen, itchy, or emitting a foul odor, they may have an infection, and you should take them to the vet.
How To Properly Clean A French Bulldogs Ears
When cleaning Frenchies’ ears, you should use a cotton ball or soft cloth and wipe the inside of their earflap.
You should never insert anything into your French Bulldog’s ear canal. This can damage their delicate inner ear structures and cause an infection.
Here are the five steps you can take to clean your French Bulldogs’ ears:
Step #1
Determine why you’re cleaning your dog’s ears. Is it because they’re dirty or infected? You will need the proper medicated solution to clean their ears if they are infected. You can use a dog ear cleansing solution or a homemade mixture if they just need routine cleaning.
Step #2
Make sure your dog is calm and take them to a confined space, like the bathtub, so you’re not chasing them around. Again, the goal here is to get this done as quickly as possible.
Step #2
Pull your dog’s ear straight up and slightly backward. You may want to get someone to help you hold your dog for this step.
Step #3
Using your other hand, apply the medication or cleansing solution to the ear canal. Having someone help hold your dog’s head will help avoid them shaking their head and getting the solution everywhere but in their ear.
Step #4
Continue to hold the ear flap up to allow the medication to travel down the ear canal. You should pour enough into the ear canal to see the fluid.
Step #5
Massage the base of the ear using two fingers. Then release your dog’s ear and allow them to shake it off. Some solution and wax may come out of their ear at this point. This is completely fine.
This is the basics of the cleaning process. If your dog has an infection and needs multiple medications in their ear, repeat this process but wait about 30 minutes before doing it again.
Do not try to mix medication to get it all done at once unless your vet has mentioned it’s okay.
Here is a video of basic dog ear cleaning for you visual learners:
Further Reading: How To Clean Dog’s Ears When They Hate It: 9 Simple Steps
How Often Should You Clean A French Bulldogs Ears?
You should clean your French Bulldog’s ears monthly to prevent wax build-up and keep them healthy.
If you notice that your dog’s ears are starting to look dirty or have a lot of wax build-up, you might need to clean them more often.
In addition, if your Frenchies ears don’t seem to be getting dirty, you may only need to clean them every few months.
Every dog is different, so it’s important to check their ears regularly and clean them when necessary.
Why Should You Clean A French Bulldogs Ears?
There are many reasons why you should clean your French Bulldog’s ears. The most important reason is to prevent ear infections.
Ear infections are a common type of infection in French Bulldogs. This is due to their unique anatomy and the shape of their ears.
French Bulldogs are more prone to ear infections because their ear canals are much shorter than other dogs. This means there is less air circulation, and the area is moister, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
Another reason to keep your French Bulldog’s ears clean is to prevent wax build-up. Wax build-up can cause your dog’s ears to become irritated and itchy.
If you notice that your dog is scratching their ears more than usual, it’s a good idea to check for wax build-up and clean their ears if necessary.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Do French Bulldogs Ears Go Down?
French Bulldogs’ ears are supposed to be erect, but some may have floppy ears. This is usually due to genetics and is not a health concern.
French Bulldog Bat Ears Vs. Rose Ears?
Bat ears are the common type of ears for French Bulldogs. They are triangular in shape, stand up straight, and have a concave to them.
Rose ears are a less common type of ear for French Bulldogs. This happens when their ear folds back over the tips, and part of the inside of the ear shows. This gives them the rose petal shape.
Final Thoughts
French Bulldog ears are usually bat-like, pointed, and standing up. Some may have floppy ears, usually due to genetics and not a health concern.
Frenchies are susceptible to ear infections because their ear canals are shorter and narrower than other dogs. This makes for a moist environment perfect for bacteria to grow.
It’s essential to keep your French Bulldog’s ears clean to prevent wax build-up and ear infections.
You should check their ears regularly and clean them when necessary.
Other posts you might find interesting:
French Bulldog Ear Positions Chart With Meanings & Images