Why do some Yorkies' Ears Stand Up? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

AdoptedYorkie · 07-02-2005, 08:16 PM

Hello everyone! First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice on Bunker's not eating anything. He's doing better now!

Secondly, as I was surfing this great site, I came across someone giving someone else advice about how to get their yorkie's ears to stand up. (To try trimming the hair around the ears, or even use tape.) It caught me off guard because I never thought twice about how Bunker's DON'T stand up. And when I viewed the photo gallery and also looking at your screenname pictures, I notice almost every single yorkie's ears stand up. Is this just a thing of preference? Can someone explain the difference or preference why someone needed such advice? (becasue I kinda think the droopy ears are cuter.) Are there any advantages? Is there something wrong with Bunker's ears? Thanks beforehand!

yorkieusa · 07-02-2005, 08:32 PM

No, there is nothing wrong with them. Leave them alone if you like them that way and don't mess with "Mother Nature" as they say.

Muffin (1991-2005) in my avatar had droopy ears also. I loved them. She had an adorable cute face. I never did anything to make them stand up and neither did the breeder.

Now I have little Kacee (3 months old today) and I when I went to pick her out before I could bring her home and shame on me, but I told the breeder not to tape her ears at all. I love those floppy ears. I'm not a snob about them at all.

If you would like to "attempt" to make your baby's ears stand, you will want to trim the hair off of the upper third of her ears. You can also cut masking tape, I believe, in triangles and place on the inside of the ears to help support them. If I'm remembering any of this incorrectly, someone will correct me.

Edit time. I missed your question about advantages. Those might be keeping bacteria and infections down, however, I have always kept my babies ears very clean and you just wanna be sure to blow dry them on low cool or low warm so that there is no moisture left after a bath which might be a breeding ground for yeast infection. I never had any problem with Muffin's ears in all of her life and knock on wood I haven't had any problem with little Kacee so far.

Gypsy Rose · 07-02-2005, 08:53 PM

We had a previous yorkie with ears that stood no chance at all of standing (he actually had "spaniel type ears!" and was ever so cute looking - his ears were huge and if they'd stood up he would have not looked right!!
Our other yorkie at the time, Gizmo, had upright ears ... one ear up when we had him and then that went down, the other up etc until both stood up ..!
Our present girls.... Gypsy Rose had upright ears at the age of 8 wks and they never went down and that girl has loads of hair on them - we have never even considered trimming her hair! Gizzie's were upright too by the age of about 12 wks and againno hair trimming. What I am trying to say is that I personally believe that if nature intended them to have upright ears (or not>>!) that's often the way it is! Ana xx

ingallsra · 07-02-2005, 08:59 PM

Hi! Some Yorkies' ears stand up on their own with no help, but my Oscar's ears don't have thick enough cartilege to stay up. It's okay though because I prefer them down.
If you were to show your Yorkie in the ring, it is a requirement for their ears to be erect....

yorkieusa · 07-02-2005, 09:03 PM

They would have run me and Muff out of the ring!

It looks like it's going to be that way with me and Kacee, too.

seh0422 · 07-02-2005, 09:26 PM

Well my little one is 3 months old. her ears are not going up the breeder when I got her had them shaved and they still didnt stay. but I think I like floppy ears dont bother me they look cute. also I always know when she is doing something she is not to be doing by her ears they go almost all the way up. so is it still possible that they could end up going up or is it already to late just wondering? If any one had any answers greatly welcomed.

tw4sw · 07-03-2005, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdoptedYorkie

Hello everyone! First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice on Bunker's not eating anything. He's doing better now!

Secondly, as I was surfing this great site, I came across someone giving someone else advice about how to get their yorkie's ears to stand up. (To try trimming the hair around the ears, or even use tape.) It caught me off guard because I never thought twice about how Bunker's DON'T stand up. And when I viewed the photo gallery and also looking at your screenname pictures, I notice almost every single yorkie's ears stand up. Is this just a thing of preference? Can someone explain the difference or preference why someone needed such advice? (becasue I kinda think the droopy ears are cuter.) Are there any advantages? Is there something wrong with Bunker's ears? Thanks beforehand!

It's just a cosmetic thing. Supposed to be a breed "standard". If you were interested in showing your yorkie then it becomes impotant. Otherwise it's up to you as to whether you want to attempt to make the ears stand up.

DocShe · 07-03-2005, 06:41 AM

I think it have to do with the cartilage of their ears. Actually my vet just advised giving calcium to my yorkie TIGER. How his ears are standing tall.

Simmy84 · 07-03-2005, 07:55 AM

The standard says a Yorkie should have his ears up. Here in Germany the majority of all the yorkies bred for pet too have their ears up and most of them without any kind of help. It´s very important that the ear is very small. Here in Germany there are many breeders in the non official clubs who have yorkies with dropped ears too, but if you look a little bit closer lots of them have huge ears.
My puppy had her ears up every time, only when the first teeth came she let them hang down a bit and I had no problems with one of my other yorkies too, they all had their ears up with about 7-8 weeks without help.

LvMyYorki · 07-03-2005, 08:02 AM

It doesnt sound like anything is "wrong" with Bunker's ears. They just arent the "standard." Small V-shaped erect ears are the Breed Standard. I personally like the ears erect.

As far as the cartilage or the ear leather...it is actually supposed to be thin. The thick ear leather is what leads to drop ears. Some Yorkies also have what is called a wrinkle toward the base of the ear that causes it to droop.

My male has one ear and the very top will tip over if he is really tired or when he was teething. It drove me nuts! I found out that he has a little wrinkle in the base, which is genetic, and weakend the strength in that ear, so it makes it harder for him to keep erect, I have to be very diligent about keeping the hair shaved off the tip of that ear, now its up all of the time. Thank heavens!

When I was worried abt Tino's ear, I spoke with my vet about any health risks... He said that with Yorkie ears, esp. drop ears, you really have to stay on top of cleaning their ears and plucking the hair to make sure that you get all of the yucky stuff out! With the drop ears there is a greater chance of ear problems ??? I dont' have any personal experience with this though.

How old is Bunker? Some breeders say that if they aren't up by 12 weeks, then they arent going up, but I think it depends on if they have been shaved when they are puppies. If you want his ears to go up, have them shaved inside and out, plucked and give some cottage cheese. The calcium is especially important when they are teething and can help them pop back up.

Good luck!

bionicgirl · 07-03-2005, 08:06 AM

When I got Zack at 8 weeks, one ear was up and the other was down. I asked my vet about this and she said that when they are puppies, so much of their growing energy goes into their bones and other areas and the ears sometimes get neglected by this energy. She also said that ears may go up and down during the puppy growth stage. One morning when Zack was 11 weeks, I noticed that his cute droopy ear had perked up. After that, his ears started getting bigger. I thought he was turning into a bat! I swear he uses his ears as wings when he flies off the couch! lol

Midge5353 · 07-03-2005, 10:12 AM

Some Yorkie's ears stand up and some don't. Sometimes it has to do with how much hair they have on the back of their ears (that's why some people trim it to get the ears to stand up. I have a 9 month old Yorkie name Riley. His ears stand straight up. Occassionally, one ear will fall down so he has one up and one down. LOL I also have a 3 months old Yorkie TJ and his ears flop. He has so much hair on the back of his ears, I don't think they will ever stand up! It doesn't matter to me. I like the ears either way.

#1 Riley
#2 TJ

chachi · 07-03-2005, 11:34 AM

Most yorkies ears stand up they just do it at different times. If you want to train them you can shave them and tape them. I didn't do this with either of my dogs and they eventually stood on their own. I like floppy ears too by the way.

cheripd · 01-13-2014, 04:23 PM

My yorkie's ears do not stand up. I didn't know they were supposed to until recently when a neighbor asked me if she was a "pure bred Yorkie" -- questioning her ears. I just shrugged and said "I guess they're broke". Lexi is my first Yorkie and I am completely in love with her. She is everything I wanted in a Yorkie. Glad to have found this site.

bjh · 01-13-2014, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheripd

My yorkie's ears do not stand up. I didn't know they were supposed to until recently when a neighbor asked me if she was a "pure bred Yorkie" -- questioning her ears. I just shrugged and said "I guess they're broke". Lexi is my first Yorkie and I am completely in love with her. She is everything I wanted in a Yorkie. Glad to have found this site.

Welcome to YorkieTalk. How old is Lexi? When puppies teeth the ears go up and down. Most of the time the ears should be up by the time they are 6 months old. A lot of pups need help getting their ears up by shaving the ear hair or taping the ears. Some people just adore the floppy eared look. Regardless all yorkies are so lovable. I am glad you love your little girl and are happy with her. Hopefully you can share pictures of her later. This is an old thread so if you start a new thread of your own you will get more response.

07-02-2005, 09:26 PM	#6
seh0422 YT Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 480	Well my little one is 3 months old. her ears are not going up the breeder when I got her had them shaved and they still didnt stay. but I think I like floppy ears dont bother me they look cute. also I always know when she is doing something she is not to be doing by her ears they go almost all the way up. so is it still possible that they could end up going up or is it already to late just wondering? If any one had any answers greatly welcomed. __________________ Sarah I'm Mommy to Princess Emma Rose 10/25/2015 Baby Girl I Love and Miss You RIP Brownie , Koda's Bear Hugs

07-03-2005, 08:02 AM	#10
LvMyYorki Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 1,181	It doesnt sound like anything is "wrong" with Bunker's ears. They just arent the "standard." Small V-shaped erect ears are the Breed Standard. I personally like the ears erect. As far as the cartilage or the ear leather...it is actually supposed to be thin. The thick ear leather is what leads to drop ears. Some Yorkies also have what is called a wrinkle toward the base of the ear that causes it to droop. My male has one ear and the very top will tip over if he is really tired or when he was teething. It drove me nuts! I found out that he has a little wrinkle in the base, which is genetic, and weakend the strength in that ear, so it makes it harder for him to keep erect, I have to be very diligent about keeping the hair shaved off the tip of that ear, now its up all of the time. Thank heavens! When I was worried abt Tino's ear, I spoke with my vet about any health risks... He said that with Yorkie ears, esp. drop ears, you really have to stay on top of cleaning their ears and plucking the hair to make sure that you get all of the yucky stuff out! With the drop ears there is a greater chance of ear problems ??? I dont' have any personal experience with this though. How old is Bunker? Some breeders say that if they aren't up by 12 weeks, then they arent going up, but I think it depends on if they have been shaved when they are puppies. If you want his ears to go up, have them shaved inside and out, plucked and give some cottage cheese. The calcium is especially important when they are teething and can help them pop back up. Good luck! __________________ Tara, Tino & Diva Bunny Diva Bunny: http://www.dogster.com/?141104 Rudolph Valentino: http://www.dogster.com/?76963

07-03-2005, 08:06 AM	#11
bionicgirl Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 96	When I got Zack at 8 weeks, one ear was up and the other was down. I asked my vet about this and she said that when they are puppies, so much of their growing energy goes into their bones and other areas and the ears sometimes get neglected by this energy. She also said that ears may go up and down during the puppy growth stage. One morning when Zack was 11 weeks, I noticed that his cute droopy ear had perked up. After that, his ears started getting bigger. I thought he was turning into a bat! I swear he uses his ears as wings when he flies off the couch! lol __________________ Zack's Dogster Page http://www.dogster.com/?154672 Gallery: http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=2585

07-03-2005, 11:34 AM	#13
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Most yorkies ears stand up they just do it at different times. If you want to train them you can shave them and tape them. I didn't do this with either of my dogs and they eventually stood on their own. I like floppy ears too by the way. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-13-2014, 04:23 PM	#14
cheripd YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 1	Yorkie Ears My yorkie's ears do not stand up. I didn't know they were supposed to until recently when a neighbor asked me if she was a "pure bred Yorkie" -- questioning her ears. I just shrugged and said "I guess they're broke". Lexi is my first Yorkie and I am completely in love with her. She is everything I wanted in a Yorkie. Glad to have found this site. Last edited by cheripd; 01-13-2014 at 04:25 PM. Reason: Add picture

07-02-2005, 08:16 PM	#1
AdoptedYorkie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6	Why do some Yorkies' Ears Stand Up? Hello everyone! First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice on Bunker's not eating anything. He's doing better now! Secondly, as I was surfing this great site, I came across someone giving someone else advice about how to get their yorkie's ears to stand up. (To try trimming the hair around the ears, or even use tape.) It caught me off guard because I never thought twice about how Bunker's DON'T stand up. And when I viewed the photo gallery and also looking at your screenname pictures, I notice almost every single yorkie's ears stand up. Is this just a thing of preference? Can someone explain the difference or preference why someone needed such advice? (becasue I kinda think the droopy ears are cuter.) Are there any advantages? Is there something wrong with Bunker's ears? Thanks beforehand!

07-02-2005, 08:32 PM	#2
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	No, there is nothing wrong with them. Leave them alone if you like them that way and don't mess with "Mother Nature" as they say. Muffin (1991-2005) in my avatar had droopy ears also. I loved them. She had an adorable cute face. I never did anything to make them stand up and neither did the breeder. Now I have little Kacee (3 months old today) and I when I went to pick her out before I could bring her home and shame on me, but I told the breeder not to tape her ears at all. I love those floppy ears. I'm not a snob about them at all. If you would like to "attempt" to make your baby's ears stand, you will want to trim the hair off of the upper third of her ears. You can also cut masking tape, I believe, in triangles and place on the inside of the ears to help support them. If I'm remembering any of this incorrectly, someone will correct me. Edit time. I missed your question about advantages. Those might be keeping bacteria and infections down, however, I have always kept my babies ears very clean and you just wanna be sure to blow dry them on low cool or low warm so that there is no moisture left after a bath which might be a breeding ground for yeast infection. I never had any problem with Muffin's ears in all of her life and knock on wood I haven't had any problem with little Kacee so far. Last edited by yorkieusa; 07-02-2005 at 08:35 PM.

07-02-2005, 08:53 PM	#3
Gypsy Rose Owned by Gyps and Gizz Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wales Posts: 629	We had a previous yorkie with ears that stood no chance at all of standing (he actually had "spaniel type ears!" and was ever so cute looking - his ears were huge and if they'd stood up he would have not looked right!! Our other yorkie at the time, Gizmo, had upright ears ... one ear up when we had him and then that went down, the other up etc until both stood up ..! Our present girls.... Gypsy Rose had upright ears at the age of 8 wks and they never went down and that girl has loads of hair on them - we have never even considered trimming her hair! Gizzie's were upright too by the age of about 12 wks and againno hair trimming. What I am trying to say is that I personally believe that if nature intended them to have upright ears (or not>>!) that's often the way it is! Ana xx

07-02-2005, 08:59 PM	#4
ingallsra YT Addict Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 367	Hi! Some Yorkies' ears stand up on their own with no help, but my Oscar's ears don't have thick enough cartilege to stay up. It's okay though because I prefer them down. If you were to show your Yorkie in the ring, it is a requirement for their ears to be erect....

07-02-2005, 09:03 PM	#5
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	They would have run me and Muff out of the ring! It looks like it's going to be that way with me and Kacee, too.

07-03-2005, 06:41 AM	#8
DocShe Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philippines Posts: 69	I think it have to do with the cartilage of their ears. Actually my vet just advised giving calcium to my yorkie TIGER. How his ears are standing tall.

07-03-2005, 07:55 AM	#9
Simmy84 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: I live in the South of germany, in Bavaria Posts: 147	The standard says a Yorkie should have his ears up. Here in Germany the majority of all the yorkies bred for pet too have their ears up and most of them without any kind of help. It´s very important that the ear is very small. Here in Germany there are many breeders in the non official clubs who have yorkies with dropped ears too, but if you look a little bit closer lots of them have huge ears. My puppy had her ears up every time, only when the first teeth came she let them hang down a bit and I had no problems with one of my other yorkies too, they all had their ears up with about 7-8 weeks without help.