(Possibly a silly) question about GSD ears... - Page 1

I'm familiar with ear problems/infections in the floppy ears and know what to look for, but would hate to overlook s/s because I missed a cue.  As far as I can tell, the GSDs ear(s) are fine, they stand up, etc.  However, I do notice that she tends to 'drop' one or 'fold' it back and more frequently than the other.  I've looked and not seen any redness or tell-tale signs of a problem, no head-shaking or scratching, no significant exudate or odor, nothing that would indicate a problem.

She does express herself with her ears and will put both ears back on occasion, but usually they're up and alert.  Just wondering if the fact that she tends to put one back more than the other is something I should have checked out (even if no other obvious signs) or could just be a typical expression for her.

Thanks.

How old is your dog ?   If he/she is over one years old, then they probably will not stand properly.
If in puppy teething stage, around 4-7 months they can go up and down as they don't concentrate on
holding them up so much.  Have u tried putting something in the ear to help it stand ? 

<<However, I do notice that she tends to 'drop' one or 'fold' it back and more frequently than the other.  I've looked and not seen any redness or tell-tale signs of a problem, no head-shaking or scratching, no significant exudate or odor, nothing that would indicate a problem.>>

Hi

if the ears stand up normally at other times and there is no sign of itching or injury,  i would suggest that it is the dog expressing itself.

Is it where she will fold if forward, kind of at a funny angle? Mostly why I as is that I have seen many Labradors, and my own GSD, who when
acting like a goofball will fold the ear together and forward so it kind of looks like a horn.

Melissa

As one of the posts above asked we really need to know the current age. If she is under 1 year that makes a huge difference in our best guesses.

Just a few key points from 4 to 8 mos they are generally all over the place. From 8 to 12 mos you should be getting close to having what they are going to be. IMHO if they are not up by 1 year of age it's not coming up. Even with help at that age they might not come up.

Laying the ears back while running is OK and acceptable. If from the middle way up to the extreme tip flops over or back that is called "friendly ears". Search on here or goggle it. You will get some hits on it.

Thanks to all.  Guess I should have included her age - as it is relevant to the ears standing up.

She's 3.5yo and has normal ears (for as little as I know about the GSD ear 'structure').  They do stand up nice and erect and don't have any obvious defects.  She does use them to express herself (which, incidentally, just cracks me up) and will lay them back, turn them to the side, forward, etc.

I was just wondering if the fact that she tends to do this w/ one more than the other is anything to take notice of, since this is my first GSD (and dog with other-than-floppy ears ;) ).  Sounds like it just might be something she does.

Melissa - she certainly does some funny angles with her ears.  I think my favorite is when she turns them out to the side where they seem to protrude from the sides of her head.  Haven't figured out what she's trying to tell me with that yet, lol.

Thanks again to everyone!

Jra, is that the one where it looks like she's trying to turn them inside out? LOL All of mine at one point or another puts only one ear back. If
they are otherwise healthy, lacking in odor, not inflamed or losing hair I would not worry about it. I'd like to bet it's just something she does.

Melissa

After the extra info it sounds to me what you are saying is perfectly normal. She just has a lot of ear power. ;)

Dogs can have a stronger side, like folks have right or left hands. Perfectly normal for them to fold one more than the other if there are no other symptoms. If she'll let you look deeply into both, then all is usually well. If she is reluctant to let you handle one side, then there could be an issue.
And that 'airplane' ear look usually means "really?" or are you kidding me?" or " Ok, but I don't really want to..." or "I don't feel so good", for my dogs! It's pretty comical! jackie harris

Jra - That is the "Yoda" look.  She is trying out for a new Star Wars movie.