How to set up a Yorkie's ears at home

The Yorkshire Terrier breed standard specifies that ears should be small and neat, V-shaped, set high, and erect. Therefore, many owners worry about the frequent drooping of puppies' ears and wonder how to erect their Yorkie's ears at home. In this article, we'll examine effective ear erection techniques in detail, as well as explain when and under what conditions a dog may retain drooping ears into adulthood.

At what age do ears stand up?

All newborn puppies have classic Yorkshire Terrier And Biewer Yorkies The ears are small, densely covered with hair, with hanging tips.

During the first month of life, nothing needs to be done to the puppies' ears, as they won't be able to be raised until the cartilage has strengthened. Therefore, puppies should not be "ear-lifted" at home until they are 1.5 months old.

There's no single answer to the question of when a Yorkie's ears become erect. Some puppies do this as early as 1.5 to 2 months old, while others require significantly longer and additional assistance in the form of cartilage fixation. Factors that influence the ear-setting process include:

• heredity (relevant if one of the parents has drooping ears);
• weight and size (the larger the baby, the later its ears will rise without outside help);
• length of hair (too thick and long feathering on the tips of the ears prevents the cartilage from straightening).

It's generally accepted that ears should be erect by 4 months, but in practice, some dogs require ear taping until 8 or even 9 months. Ears can develop at different rates and may not rise simultaneously, but rather one after the other. This is highly individual, so don't be too upset if your young Yorkie's ears aren't erect by 5 or 6 months. Your puppy may simply need a little help to ensure their ears rise correctly and become stronger as quickly as possible.

How to raise a Yorkie's ears

The techniques for effectively raising a Yorkie's ears will be relevant for those trying to raise the ears of babies aged 3 or 4 months, as well as for teenagers aged 7 or even 9 months.

Below, we'll explain step-by-step how to prepare your baby for the procedure at home and what can be applied to help the cartilage assume the correct position.

The most important component of success is the preparatory stage—hygienic trimming and removal of excess hair from the ear canal. This is essential because:

• long hair prevents the tips of the ears from rising, making them heavier;
• If the hair is not removed, the patch will not adhere tightly to the skin and may cause discomfort to the animal;
• Any construction glued to the fur can be quickly and easily removed by the dog with its paws.

So, your task is to remove excess hair from the outer and especially inner ear flap. You can do this at home with regular clippers or by taking your dog to a groomer. It's worth noting that many groomers are well-versed in shaping Yorkie ears and can perform not only the preparatory trim but also the actual ear taping.

Below we provide several ways to set your Yorkie's ears yourself, along with detailed photos and videos of the procedure.

Important! Any of the following designs should be worn for 5-7 days. During this time, monitor the skin on the ears and remove the patches at the first sign of inflammation (an allergic reaction or scratching may be possible).

Why do Yorkies' ears sometimes not stand up?

It would seem there are so many methods for erecting a Yorkie's ears. They are simple and quite effective. So why do so many dogs of this breed have floppy ears in real life?

There are several reasons for this:

1. Genetic predisposition. Parents can pass on very thin ear cartilage to their baby, which, when combined with fairly large ears, can pose a serious problem.
2. Cartilage fracture. A condition that can occur as a result of injury or abnormal cartilage development. Typically, it occurs in areas with the thinnest and weakest cartilage.
3. A scar. Formed as a result of injury or inflammation, often as a complication at the site of a fracture caused by connective tissue growth.
4. Lack of timely assistance for any problems. At the initial stage, a minor deformity can be corrected, but as the pathological process progresses, surgical intervention will be required to correct the situation.

Important! Fixing ears on an adult animal is very ineffective. Once the cartilage has formed and taken a specific shape, it won't be possible to change it with traditional gluing or a frame.

You'll find many cute Yorkies online with permanently drooping ears, one or both of which have drooping ears. This aesthetic nuance won't affect the pet's quality of life, but it will put a stop to show appearances and breeding, as drooping ears are a disqualifying defect for standard Yorkies and Biewer Terriers.

That's why, when choosing a show-class puppy, it's crucial to have information about the pedigree and health of the puppy's ancestors going back several generations.

Breeders' Advice

Read also:

• Do dogs need to have their paws trimmed?
• How to hold a dog when trimming its nails
• How to clean a dog's ears?