why is her ear floppy?

AngieW · 11-21-2012, 04:03 PM

When we first got her, both of Kylie's ear were a little floppy. By 12weeks, they were both straight up. For the past three weeks (she's 4.5 mo now), her right ear has been floppy. I used to see her ears scissor while we were on walks. Now her left ear is up straight and her right ear waves.

Is this ok? I've never had a GSD or GSD mix before.

We got Kylie from the shelter at 10.5 weeks old and they actually had her listed as a labrador/border collie, but she's definitely mostly or maybe even entirely GSD. She looks exactly like the pictures I've seen here of black GSD puppies. The trainer even asked what breeder we went to for her and was shocked that we got her at the shelter.

I'm using a picture of Kylie in her Robin costume from Halloween as my avatar. You can see her right ear flopping.

Nigel · 11-21-2012, 04:08 PM

The ears may flop back down when they are teething.

Nigel · 11-21-2012, 04:15 PM

Also, if they were up before, there is a good chance they will go up again when she is done teething.

KSoloniewicz · 11-21-2012, 10:54 PM

I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it, for about the first year or so they'll go up and down, up and down. Generally around teething they will flop back down and should go back up. Sometimes around a growth spurt (7 months?) they may go down again. Don't worry about it! And from what I've always heard, don't touch the ears! That's the rule in my house with my pup, they say massaging or rubbing the ears makes the cartilage soft, therefore weaker ears. I've also heard of giving plenty of chew toys to help strengthen the muscles behind the jaw that are connected to the ears, toys that really make them work the muscles and open their mouth.
I hope this helps!

-Kirsten

KanesCash · 11-21-2012, 11:33 PM

I had a similar "problem" with Cash, my black and silver GSD. His ears straightened for a while then they flopped then straightened again, his right ear took a bit longer but it eventually straightened out

Mrs.P · 11-21-2012, 11:56 PM

Looks like what happened to Enzo around 4 months

and this is him last week

Candace · 11-22-2012, 01:49 AM

Enzo is gorgeous!

Sent from my iPhone using PG Free

1sttimeforgsd · 11-22-2012, 09:37 AM

Most likely it is where Kylie is teething.

lisab · 11-25-2012, 10:50 PM

My pup had a floppy ear for about a week when he was a few months old as well. I was told it's pretty normal and would shoot back up in time. Indeed it did as you can see from his pic.

AngieW · 12-07-2012, 11:35 PM

Her right ear is back up!

11-21-2012, 04:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
AngieW Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 107	why is her ear floppy? When we first got her, both of Kylie's ear were a little floppy. By 12weeks, they were both straight up. For the past three weeks (she's 4.5 mo now), her right ear has been floppy. I used to see her ears scissor while we were on walks. Now her left ear is up straight and her right ear waves. Is this ok? I've never had a GSD or GSD mix before. We got Kylie from the shelter at 10.5 weeks old and they actually had her listed as a labrador/border collie, but she's definitely mostly or maybe even entirely GSD. She looks exactly like the pictures I've seen here of black GSD puppies. The trainer even asked what breeder we went to for her and was shocked that we got her at the shelter. I'm using a picture of Kylie in her Robin costume from Halloween as my avatar. You can see her right ear flopping.

11-22-2012, 09:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
1sttimeforgsd Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,817	Most likely it is where Kylie is teething. __________________ karen, mom to: ace-gsd (bi-color) 6/14/2010 mandy-yellow lab 1/31/2009 baby-terrier mix 11/25/2000

12-07-2012, 11:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
AngieW Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 107	Her right ear is back up! Attached Thumbnails

11-21-2012, 04:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nigel Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,464	The ears may flop back down when they are teething.

11-21-2012, 04:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nigel Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,464	Also, if they were up before, there is a good chance they will go up again when she is done teething.

11-21-2012, 10:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
KSoloniewicz New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 22	I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it, for about the first year or so they'll go up and down, up and down. Generally around teething they will flop back down and should go back up. Sometimes around a growth spurt (7 months?) they may go down again. Don't worry about it! And from what I've always heard, don't touch the ears! That's the rule in my house with my pup, they say massaging or rubbing the ears makes the cartilage soft, therefore weaker ears. I've also heard of giving plenty of chew toys to help strengthen the muscles behind the jaw that are connected to the ears, toys that really make them work the muscles and open their mouth. I hope this helps! -Kirsten

11-21-2012, 11:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
KanesCash Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 26	I had a similar "problem" with Cash, my black and silver GSD. His ears straightened for a while then they flopped then straightened again, his right ear took a bit longer but it eventually straightened out

11-21-2012, 11:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mrs.P Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 162	Looks like what happened to Enzo around 4 months and this is him last week

11-22-2012, 01:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Candace Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sydney NSW Autralia Posts: 66	Enzo is gorgeous! Sent from my iPhone using PG Free

11-25-2012, 10:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
lisab New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 8	My pup had a floppy ear for about a week when he was a few months old as well. I was told it's pretty normal and would shoot back up in time. Indeed it did as you can see from his pic.

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