One of the most distinctive features of a French Bulldog is their erect, broad-based, rounded-tip ears. The ears should not be too close together and sit comfortably on top of the Frenchie’s head. This fact raises some questions about the ears’ inherent capacity to stand up, as well as ear issues that Frenchies frequently experience. A French bulldog that is a purebred almost certainly has bat ears. This is not to suggest that there won’t be any delays in the ears standing up. Below is a diagram on the standard French Bulldog ear shape.
French Bulldog Bat Ears vs Rose Ears
French Bulldogs are well-known for there “bat” shaped ears. However, early in the breed’s history, many Frenchies had “rose” ears, which were folded over like the ears of an English bulldog. Because bat ears are more unique, American breeders agreed early on that they should be regarded as the standard. Rose ears on a French bulldog have been a disqualifying trait under the American Kennel Club’s breed standard since then.
There are still some French Bulldogs with rose ears, although they are not considered purebred.
How To Clean French Bulldog Ears
The large, bat-like structure of the french bulldog’s ears makes them more likely to accumulate garbage and need more cleaning than the ears of other breeds of dogs. The two techniques listed below can be used when cleaning French Bulldog ears. The inside of your French Bulldog’s ears should be cleaned at least once a month and the outer portions of the Frenchie’s ears whenever they appear to be unclean. Below we explain how to clean Frenchie ears:
1. Wiping the Outer Areas of Your Frenchie’s Ears
Hold your French Bulldog by the collar to keep it steady.
Your Frenchie may resist getting its ears cleaned a little. Therefore, we suggest sittting on the ground with your French Bulldog on your lap or in between your legs. One hand should be used to hold the collar while the other is used to clean the ears. Give your Frenchie a treat at the start and finish of the process, and keep treats handy.
With a damp paper towel, clean out the visible portions of your dog’s ear.
Clean paper towels should be dampened with ear cleaning solution and then wring out to remove any excess. The visible areas of the inside and outside of your French bulldog’s ear should then be cleaned with a paper towel.
Put some ear-cleaning solution on a cotton ball.
Use only ear solutions designed specifically for dogs. Pour just enough ear-cleaning solution to moisten a cotton ball.
With the cotton ball, gently wipe the outside of your Frenchie’s ear canal.
The visible areas of your French Bulldog’s ear should be cleaned by pressing the cotton ball against the inside of the ear.
- Let your French Bulldog shake out the excess solution
- Wipe your French Bulldog’s ear with a dry paper towel or cloth
2. Cleaning Your French Bulldog’s Ear Canals
If your Frenchie won’t sit still for you, place it in the corner of the room.
It can be challenging to clean the inside of your French Bulldog’s ears, and it might not want to remain still while you do it. It will be simpler for both of you if you place your Frenchie in a corner and use your body to hold it still. Your French Bulldog should have its side directly against the wall and its butt in the corner. To keep your dog still while you clean its ears, sit on the other side of it.
Grab the top of your French bulldog’s ear flap and gently pull it up.
Hold the ear in this position with one hand while you clean the ear with your other hand
- Fill your dog’s ear canal with ear-cleaning liquid.
- Holding the flap in place, massage the dog’s ear’s base. This will move the solution around and help to break up debris in the ear.
- Allow your French bulldog to shake its head and detach its ear.
- Wipe the visible inner parts of your French Bulldog’s ear with a dry cotton ball
French Bulldog Ear Infections
French Bulldogs frequently develop ear infections, which can have a variety of causes. Ear infections in French Bulldogs should be periodically checked for, and they may be treated with antibiotics or antifungals. Dogs that experience infections may have itchy ear, discharge, and pain when their ears are handled.
French Bulldog Ear Infections: Causes
Bacteria and yeast are the most common causes of ear infections in French Bulldogs. Another typical source of infections in French Bulldogs are ear mites. Swimming, bathing, and having unclean ears are just a few ways of how these creatures might enter the ear canal.
Otitis externa, or external ear infections, are more common in French Bulldogs for a variety of reasons. Here are a few examples:
- Their bat-shaped ears are more likely to become clogged with dust, dirt, hair, and other debris.
- French Bulldogs are more prone to ear infections than other breeds due to their ear canals being narrower and more horizontal than those of other breeds.
- Purebred dogs, particularly Bulldogs, are more prone to food and environmental allergies than other breeds. Compared to other breeds, French Bulldogs are more likely to experience ear inflammation or infections, particularly if they often scratch their ears.
- Frenchies can experience secondary ear infections as a result of endocrine conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s illness.
French Bulldog Ear Infections: Symptoms
A French Bulldog with an ear infection could exhibit signs including head shaking, pawing, and clawing at the ears, as well as unusual wax production. French Bulldog ear infections can be unpleasant, obnoxious, and painful.
Redness and swelling of the ear flap, ear drainage, and loss of balance are some of the more severe symptoms.
French Bulldog Ear Infections: Prevention and Treatment
There are a few things that can be done to assist French Bulldogs to avoid ear infections. Keeping their ears dry is one. After swimming or playing outside, you can do this by gently wiping their ears with a cotton ball or a dry paper towel. It’s crucial to prevent them from becoming overly damp as this may foster the growth of bacteria.
You can also use an antimicrobial ear cleaner to gently clean your Frenchie’s ears. This cleaner can help prevent these infections by eradicating any bacteria or yeast that may be present. To keep the ears open to the air, it is also crucial to keep the hair surrounding their ears short.
By adding probiotics to your French bulldog’s diet, you can help prevent ear infections. Probiotics are good bacteria that support healthy skin and may guard against ear infections. The majority of pet stores carry dog food that includes probiotic supplements.
Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are commonly used in treatment. Because infections are not always bacterial, there are a variety of non-bacterial ear infection treatments available. Antifungals and pain relievers may be used as treatments. Regardless of how the infection begins, if the infection is severe enough, a drain may be placed in the ear to relieve pressure and allow the infection to heal. If the infection is severe or does not respond to treatment, surgery may be necessary.
WHEN DO FRENCH BULLDOG EARS STAND UP?
Generally, the smaller the ears, the sooner they will be able to stand on their own and vice versa. There are a few outliers who take longer to stand up, but that doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your puppy.
However, if you want your Frenchie’s ears to stand up sooner, cover them with masking tape. Wrap the tape around your puppy’s ear gently until it is secure. The ear may take a few days to a few weeks to erect.
You should be aware that all French bulldogs have floppy ears at birth; this is quite natural. Although there isn’t a set period for this growth to take place, as they grow, their ears gradually become erect. Erect ears in French bulldogs can develop at any moment between 6 weeks and 8 months.
Dropped ears are related to teething as well. This is justified by the fact that prolonged chewing during the teething stage wears down and weakens the jaw muscles. The jaw muscles are attached to the ears and assist in regulating how they stand. Your puppy’s muscles tire out after a vigorous chewing session and can’t keep the ears up straight. You don’t need to do anything to help your pup pass this stage because it will correct itself with time.
HOW TO FIX A FLOPPY FRENCH BULLDOG’S EARS
Since there is essentially nothing wrong with your Frenchie, the word “fix” is a horrible choice. However, you could try out some things, as long as you don’t hurt or harm your Frenchie. From the time your puppy comes home to live with you, starting at 8 weeks old, you can begin doing this. But, first allow your French Bulldog to mature at his or her natural pace. Below is 5 tips to help your French Bulldog’s floppy ears to stand up:
1. Consult Your Vet First
Ask your veterinarian to do a health examination to look for any developmental problems. They can suggest altering your puppy’s nutrition, which might be the solution.
2. Don’t Administer Supplements On Your Own
Long-term health problems can result from an excess of calcium. In a developing Frenchie puppy, these conditions can include bone spurs, arthritis, and joint issues.
Give your dog tiny amounts of things like yogurt or cottage cheese instead. They claim that these promote the formation of calcium in their ears. Also, verify with your veterinarian.
3. Add a substance to their diet that promotes cartilage
The mixture of components found in glucosamine supplements is thought to support the growth and maintenance of the cartilage and connective tissues of your Frenchie.
4. Give your Frenchie chewing toys
Chewing not only eases teething in your French bulldog, but exercise also helps build the muscles that are crucial for ear development.
Dogs have a temporalis muscle under their ear and at the top of their jaw. Because a strong temporalis muscle helps the ear stand up, chewing frequently results in fewer droopy ears.
5. Tape your Frenchie’s ears
If your Frenchie’s ears are down at 7 weeks, you can assist. Get some 1 inch-wide medical tape. Wrap one piece of tape around each ear gently, making sure the ear is flat.
In this position, leave the tape on for 2 to 3 days. Then, carefully untie it from your Frenchie’s head by making a little snip at the base of the tape. To notice effects, you might need to repeat this procedure numerous times over a few months.
If your Frenchie still has one floppy ear or both ears are floppy after 8 months old, then it’s unlikely that they will ever naturally perk up into the erect position.
How the video below on how to your Frenchies ears!
