No Longer a Puppy! When do French Bulldog Ears Stand Up?

🦴 Updated on July 11th, 2023

french-bulldog-with-beautiful-ears-posing-outside

There’s no doubt that French Bulldogs are adorable creatures. But one of the most frequently asked questions about them is when do French Bulldog ears stand up? 

Max (I know, too generic, but I love him still), my french bulldog is an incredible pet and friend. He’s extremely handsome too. However, over time, his ears didn’t look like the ones of other Frenchies. 

I wasn’t worried about him, but it still bugged me. Why does he look like that? Could there be something wrong with Max?

Instead of doing like so many, I decided to investigate and schedule a meeting with Max and my vet. I didn’t want him to grow and look like he wasn’t old enough or that he had any malfunction.

It can be a bit confusing because some dogs’ ears stand at a very young age, while others don’t start standing until they’re a little older. In this article, we’ll answer that question and provide some tips on how to help if your dog’s ears aren’t standing up yet.

When Will My Frenchies’ Ears Stand Up?

Generally, French Bulldogs’ ears start standing up when they’re five weeks to about fifteen weeks old. However, there is a lot of variation from dog to dog, so don’t be alarmed if your puppy’s ears take a little longer to hold up. 

On the other hand, if your Frenchie’s ears haven’t started standing up by eight months old, that might be cause for concern.

Taping French Bulldog Ears

For some French Bulldogs, taping the ears can help keep them standing upright. If you’re not sure how to tape your dog’s ears or what type of tape to use, consult a veterinarian who specializes in ear taping for dogs. 

It’s important to make sure that the tape isn’t too tight, as that can cause discomfort and even damage the ears.

If you’re not comfortable taping your dog’s ears, there are other ways to help them hold up. Some people use a scarf or fabric headband to keep the ears in place. You can also try taping the ears to a headband.

What if my French Bulldog’s Ears Never Went Up?

If your French Bulldog’s ears aren’t standing up by eight weeks old, it could be because they have something called “floppy ear syndrome.” This condition causes one (or sometimes both) of the dog’s ears to floppiness and droops down. While it isn’t a severe health problem, it can lead to discomfort for the dog if left untreated.

A Frenchie with floppy ears, should be taken to see a veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment options like taping or surgery. The vet may also recommend using an ear harness to keep the ears up.

How To Tape French Bulldog Ears

If tapping doesn’t work, surgery is another option to help your dog’s ears rise. During this procedure, the ear canal is widened so that it won’t be blocked by fluid or wax buildup in the future. This will allow airflow through, prevent pressure from building up inside it, and help the ear stay upright.

While taping and surgery are viable options for treating floppy ear syndrome, they can be expensive and time-consuming. If you’re not sure whether or not to pursue one of these treatments, consult with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to help you make the best decision for your furry friend.

Why Does My French Bulldog Have Floppy Ears?

If your furry friend’s ears look like a French Bulldog with cropped ears, don’t worry. Many Frenchies have them as puppies, but they stand up with age. If you tuck the flap of their ear into the ear canal and tape it to the top of their head while they are young, then eventually, their ears will stand on their own without taping.

Can French Bulldog Ears Stay Down?

French dogs have pointy ears that stand on top of their heads, and many wonder when they will finally pop up. If by any chance, your dog’s ear never stands up, despite trying every method, it’s perfectly fine. It’s a natural thing that happens.

When Do French Bulldogs Ears Go Up: What to expect?

The answer is that they will pop up at different times for different dogs. Some may have them standing up by the time they are six months old, while others may not see them standing until they are a year or even older. As long as your Frenchie is healthy and happy, it doesn’t matter when they stand up.

There are several taping methods to encourage a French Bulldog’s ears to stand up, including taping them straight back or taping the tips of their ears together with bandages or tape. These taping methods may help your dog’s ears pop up faster, but taping their ears can also cause serious problems.

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

The answer to this question will vary depending on the dog’s breed and proneness to getting ear infections. 

For Frenchies, you should clean their ears at least once a week with an ear cleaning solution made for dogs. You can buy these solutions at most pet stores or online. 

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If your Frenchie is prone to getting ear infections, you may need to clean their ears more often. Check with your veterinarian if you’re unsure how often to clean your dog’s ears.

FAQs

Can taping French bulldog ears cause ear infections?

Yes, taping can cause infections in your dog’s ears. If you’re taping their ears up to encourage them to stand, then you should be sure that they are not getting any sores or infections as a result of taping for too long. 

How often should I change the bandage?

You’ll want to check and change the bandage every few hours to ensure it’s not causing any problems.

How should taping of French bulldog ears be done?

Before taking your dog’s ear, you’ll want to take a cotton ball and clean out the inside with a solution made for dogs. Cleaning will help prevent infection from taping their ears. Once the solution has dried, you can tap their ears with medical tape or bandage wrap. 

How often should I repeat it?

You’ll want to do this every other day until their ear stands up on its own, then taper off taping them over a few weeks so that there are no more accidents when they aren’t taped anymore!

What taping method is the best?

There are two taping methods you can use to encourage a French Bulldog’s ears to hold up: taping them straight back or taping the tips of their ears. Both will work, but it may be easier for some people if they tape just one side at first and then do both once the first taping is successful.

Can taping French bulldog ears cause damage?

Yes, taping can cause infections in your dog’s ears if you do not check and change them every few hours. If you’re taping their ears up to encourage them to stand, then you should be sure that they are not getting any sores or infections as a result of taping for too long. 

How long should taping of French bulldog ears continue?

Tape your dog’s ears up every other day until their ear stands up on its own, then taper off, taping them over a few weeks so that there are no more accidents when they aren’t taped anymore!

Conclusion

So, when do French dog ears stand up? The answer is not as straightforward as you may think. Depending on the breed and age of the dog, their ears will stand up at different times. However, there are a few general rules that apply to most dogs.

Young puppies’ ears usually start standing between five and fifteen weeks old, while older puppies’ ears may take a little longer to stand up completely. Adult dogs’ ears typically take even longer to stand up – sometimes not happening until they are a year or two old. 

While some breeds have more upright ears than others, it is essential to remember that each dog is unique, and just like Max, you may have to wait until he develops completely.

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Sarah Alward | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Sarah Alward | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Our resident DVM helps review every article to ensure we always provide scientifically accurate, up-to-date information. She’s proud to help provide pet parents everywhere with the info they need to keep their pets safe, healthy, and comfortable.