What does it mean when French bulldogs ears go down?

June 7, 2019

The French Bulldog is a lively, fun-loving, and intelligent breed, unlike the rest. They are affectionately friendly and are bred to be their owner’s companion. In a way, you can refer to this cute little pet as a distant cousin of the English Bulldog. One of the most charming parts of the French Bulldog's body is unarguably their ears - cocked like a bat’s ears. But the intriguing thing about the French Bulldogs ears is that they all don't look the same; while some may appear floppy, others may be pointing up.

Curiously, this distinction or variation in the appearance of French Bulldog ears provides a source of concern for some Frenchie owners, especially those with floppy ears. Frenchie Shop  interacted with some French Bulldog owners and gathered some of their points of concern and questions, most common among them, in order to provide some answers that may be soothing.

Why Does My Frenchie have Floppy Ears?

Almost all French Bulldogs have floppy ears at birth. So, if you noticed that your French Bulldog puppy's ears are floppy you need not worry (you wanted your cutie's ears to be pointing up like a bat's) because it is not peculiar to you, that's how Frenchie's are born.

So, How Long Does it Take a French Bulldog's Ears to Stand Up?

There's no straight-jacket answer to this question. It may take a couple of weeks, and sometimes, you may start seeing the signs of it springing up within days. It would depend on the level and speed of development of each Frenchie. But ideally, your Frenchie's Ear should start standing at 7 weeks old.

My French Bulldog's One Ear is Pointing Up While the Other is Floppy, Is There Something Wrong?

No. There's nothing wrong. When eventually your French Bulldog's ears start standing up, it is not all the time and all Frenchies that both ears rise up at the same time and at the same pace. You might notice that one ear is up and one is down. It could also happen that the following day, the one ear that was down the previous day could be standing up and the one standing up the previous day could go floppy. Sometimes both ears may start going up and in a day or two, both ears or one of them might go down. Also, one ear may be up weeks before the other even starts to show any sign of rising up.

The French Bulldog ears do all sorts of wonky things. As a matter of fact, you should see the tricky rise and fall as an entertaining and interesting process. It is actually entertaining and interesting, and not worrisome.

I Have Multiple French Bulldog Puppies and Some Still Have Floppy Ears While Some Ears are Standing Up Already, Should I Visit the Vets?

There's no cause for alarm. One thing you must know is that each puppy is on his or her own time table, even puppies from the same litter. Some puppy's ear may be perfectly erect at their 4th week while some may take up to 10 weeks.

What Can I Do If My Dog's Ears Don't Stand Up?

Like I said earlier, at the 7th week, your puppy's ears should already have started showing signs of rising up. If you noticed this, it is better to let the ears stand on their own. But, if at that time you haven't noticed any such sign, there are ways you can help your Puppy's ears to stand up.

Use the following techniques:

1. Tape each ear individually with 1.4-inches wide of masking tape.

2. Make sure the ear is kept flat while taping to avoid a wrinkled-looking ear base.

3. Orient ears to the top where they would normally stand erect.

4. Once in the erect position of 11 and 1 O'Clock, tape a connecting bridge from one ear to the other.

5. Leave tape in place for between four to five days, then make a small cut at the base of the tape and gently peel off to remove the tape.

We hope these few answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about French Bulldog ears are helpful to you and will help you achieve the perfect ear shape that you want for your French Bulldog.

You are most welcome to share with us your experience while your Frenchie's ears were beginning to stand, or what challenges you are facing at the moment with them. Cheers!

French Bulldogs are excellent pets. They are a family-friendly, small and cuddly, and a low-maintenance delight. When we picture a Frenchie, we see a compact, wrinkly little pup. French Bulldog ears add to their distinct look. They are typically bat-like, pointed and erect.

When it comes to French Bulldog ears, there is lots to know! In this complete guide, you will learn all about the look of a Frenchie’s ears, when they stand up, possible ear issues, and how to properly clean its ears to keep them healthy and looking pristine.

When Do French Bulldog Ears Stand Up?

The French Bulldog’s bat-like ears that stand tall are one of its most prominent features. So, if your Frenchie’s ears aren’t standing up nice and tall, you’re probably wondering why they aren’t and when they will. French Bulldog ears will stand up on their own time, usually after it’s finished teething. For the most part, you can expect the desired bat-like ears to appear by the time your puppy is several months old. Sometimes it takes a bit longer.

Floppy French Bulldog Ears

If you have a French Bulldog whose ears are floppy, you may have some questions since we know Frenchies to have upright ears. The good news is that there are answers and we’ve got them for you here.

The truth of the matter is that it’s quite natural for French Bulldog ears to flop down.

A lot of times, a puppy Frenchie has downward ears. Especially when teething, their ears may fall. You really don’t have to do anything but wait for the ears to stand up on their own. This could happen after several weeks or months and the time varies for all dogs.

It is a possibility that your puppy will grow older and all their teeth come in, but their ears still aren’t standing. This doesn’t mean anything is wrong, but rather that your Frenchie is unique. Their ears will very likely decide to stand after some time.

One Ear Stands, One Ear Flops

French Bulldog ears can actually be quite fun to watch. Sometimes they stand, sometimes they flop, and sometimes they do both. Frenchie’s ears have no exact timing and they may even stand or fall at different times. It is common to see a puppy’s ear stand one day and flop the next. The process of your pup’s ears standing on their own time is nothing to ever worry about. All you have to do is love your loyal companion as they are.

How are French Bulldog Ears and Teething Related?

In this article, you’ve already read that French Bulldog ears typically stand once a puppy has finished teething. You may be wondering how these two are related. Think about it this way: when you chew, your temple region moves because the muscles in that area work while you are chewing. When a French Bulldog is biting down, these pulsating movements also occur and can strain the ear muscles making them lose their shape. This is why when teething is complete and the act of biting down becomes natural, the ears typically erect.

Additionally, calcium is needed for a puppy to grow teeth potentially taking some calcium from other areas, like their ears.

• Special Tip: You will know if your French Bulldog is teething if you notice excessive chewing, drooling, inflamed gums, and mild fever. Teething happens to every dog and it can affect the way that they develop in other areas. This is normal and is also why it’s important to recognize that it’s okay if your pup’s ears flop down.

Why Aren’t My French Bulldog’s Ears Standing?

There are two common reasons for French Bulldog ears to be floppy. We know that teething is one reason. Perhaps your Frenchie is older and its ears still aren’t standing. It could also mean that your pup’s ears are bigger than a typical French Bulldog. Genes affect all sorts of traits like a French Bulldog’s color and size, this also includes other features like their ears. However, it is very unlikely that your Frenchie’s ears won’t ever stand up tall. You know what they say, patience is a virtue.

Getting French Bulldog Ears to Stand Up

Many Frenchie owners love that their adorable pup will have erect ears because it adds to the charming French Bulldog look. You may want to assist your French Bulldog’s ears to stand up tall and some may even tape a Frenchie’s ears up to assist in the process, but it’s best to let them be natural because taping their ears can actually cause damage enough that their ears will never stand up on their own.

Possible French Bulldog Ear Problems

French Bulldogs are one of the best pets around due to their demeanor and loyalty, but they do come with possible health issues and this includes potential ear problems.

Ear Infections

Since French Bulldogs have narrow ear canals, they are more susceptible to ear infections than other breeds may be. They are also prone to allergies which can result in swollen ear glands that produce excess wax and lead to an ear infection. Keeping an eye on French Bulldog ears means watching for redness, wax build-up, and scratching. Consult your vet if you see any of these symptoms of an ear infection. Proper cleaning (see below) can prevent ear infections.

Loss of Hearing

Hearing issues in French Bulldogs are certainly not unheard of. Frenchies can be born with deafness or it can develop over time. Genes present in white-colored dogs make them more prone to hearing problems than other dogs. The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test can diagnose deafness in a pooch.

Sunburn

Just like French Bulldog tails can be easily sunburned, so can their ears. Because Frenchies have such thin coats, their skin can easily be burned. Not only is a sunburn uncomfortable, but it can be harmful. The good news is that it’s easy to prevent and even easier to notice. 

Avoid sunburned ears by:

• Staying out of the sun: Spend time outdoors early in the morning or in the evening to avoid strong sun rays.
• Ask your vet about safe sunscreen: While zinc is not okay for animals, your vet can recommend a safe sunscreen option.
• Stay in the shade: If your Frenchie is one who loves to bask in the sunshine, let them enjoy themselves in the shade. This is much better than dealing with the effects of a sunburn.

If you do notice redness and/or sensitivity of your Frenchie’s ears, contact your vet. They will decide if your pooch needs fluids and/or cold compresses.

Cleaning French Bulldog Ears

Now that you have all the info on the looks French Bulldog ears and issues they may have, let’s talk about how to keep them clean and healthy. We also want their ears to look nice and fresh since they are one of their most noticed features.

Why should I clean my French Bulldog’s ears?

Since most French Bulldog ears stand up, they are more likely to collect things like dirt, dust, and other debris. If you don’t clean their ears, it can result in infection.

How should I clean my French Bulldog’s ears?

First and foremost, normalize messing with your dog’s ears. Even if it isn’t time for an ear-cleaning, look at and touch your Frenchie’s ears often. This will help them feel more relaxed when it is time for an ear-cleaning.

The first couple of ear-cleanings may quick and less thorough than you’d like. This is okay. Your pooch will get there in time. 

Gather some ear cleaning solution and cotton and follow these steps to take for a successful ear-cleaning:

1. Relax next to your Frenchie and give it affection (treats, too!) to help it feel calm.
2. Allow your dog to sniff and check out the cotton for a few moments. They will probably be weary of the cotton.
3. Carefully open your dog’s ear canal and apply ear-cleaner. Gently massage the ear for a few moments, then allow your pup to shake its head.
4. Dry their ears with a soft cloth.
5. Of course, reward it for getting its ears cleaned.

How often should I clean my French Bulldog’s ears?

French Bulldog ears need some wax to protect it from environmental allergens so you don’t want to overclean them. As you notice them developing build-up, you can clean them. Occasionally using ear wipes can also keep your pup’s ears nice and fresh.

Anytime you clean your dog’s ears out, dry them thoroughly as moisture can lead to infection.

Final Thoughts

We hope that you feel full of knowledge about the appearance of your Frenchie’s ears, possible issues, and how to keep them nice and clean. The best pet owners are the ones who know the ins and out of their pup and show them all the love and care that they deserve. 

For more information on one of the best breeds around, check out how to train your French Bulldog and a guide to French Bulldog food.