The AKC currently recognizes erect, prick, and droopy ears as a “fault,” so most dogs in the U.S. do not have ears that stand up. But it is possible for a completely purebred Australian Shepherd to end up with erect ears. This occurrence is rare, and most of these dogs are sold as “pet-quality” animals.
What are Aussie ears supposed to look like? The breed standards describe a moderate sized, triangular ear with a slightly rounded tip that sits high on the head. The ears may break forward or to the side (“rose” ear) when at attention.
While erect ears are a natural trait in purebred Australian Shepherds, not all of them will have them. In fact, traditional drop-eared Aussies are more common than those with erect ears. However, if two Aussies with erect ears are bred together, there is a good chance that their offspring will also have erect ears.
Australian Cattle Dogs, or Blue Heelers, can have their ears standing by five weeks but have been known to take as long as 24 weeks.
Having ears back is often a welcoming gesture from your dog. They are trying to get close to you without looking threatening. It is a friendly demonstration accompanied by a happy-looking face and loose body language. They feel comfortable, and they would try to make you feel the same way with them.
For those less than perfect more challenging ears you may want to begin the glueing process around 9 or 10 weeks. Remember you cannot turn ears into something they are not, you can only hope to make them the best they can be.
The time it takes for a puppy's ears to stand up depends on the breed and the dog in question. For some, 8 weeks is enough, for others 8 months. However, in general, a dog's ears should be pricked up after the teeth have finished erupting.
"When you have an Australian shepherd, it's going to be very active, very smart, and tough," says Kilcommons. "It has a high need for exercise and mental stimulation. You need to be willing to go to obedience competitions or agility or fly ball or something that is going to engage the dog both mentally and physically."
Ears up, erect, and tilted forward are a sign that your pet is stimulated and possibly aggressive. If you have a dog with "up" ears, they may have one ear up and one ear down. This is just another casual ear position that he is listening, but not so intently that they are searching for something.
Most breeders and veterinarians will tell you that floppy ears are common while your German Shepherd is teething, which usually ends between 16 and 20 weeks. By then, the cartilage in the ear has become hard and strong enough for the ear to stand permanently.
They often have two different colored eyes.
The Australian Shepherd is one of a few dog breeds that commonly have two different colored eyes, called heterochromia. Aussies might have any combination of brown, blue, hazel, amber, or green eyes. Some Aussies even display more than one color within the same eye.
For long tails, the ASHGI survey indicates that the most typical tail is slightly curved with the length of feathering tapering from base to tip.
Australian Shepherd
Despite their high energy, Aussies are usually quiet. They may bark to alert their owners of a stranger or an unfamiliar situation but other than that, you won't hear much from them.
Australian Shepherd dogs are one of only a few breeds that can boast the rare feature of a naturally bobbed tail. While not every Australian Shepherd dog is naturally tailless, about one in five Aussies are born without a tail.
Attention Seekers
Aussies can be very clingy. They crave human companionship and love being included in pretty much everything you do, including being involved in all family activity. Since they require an active lifestyle, they will want to join in everything and anything that is going on around them.
Australian shepherd
The cute and thick-haired Australian shepherd is also prone to jealousy. Aussies are protective in nature. Therefore, when they see another person giving you a hug, their protection instincts kick in immediately.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
According to Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, who works at New York City's Animal Medical Center, "Pet owners should never use rubber bands or hair clips to pull back dog ears– as these could interrupt blood supply and cause serious damage to the ears, potentially leading to ear flap amputation.
Your veterinarian may recommend taping her ears at this point to help things along. You can also add a teaspoon of cottage cheese or plain yogurt to her food daily to provide a little extra calcium, which helps in the formation of cartilage. Dear Nancy, This behavior is completely normal.
Tail docking and ear cropping of dogs are illegal in all states and territories of Australia. There should be vigilance to ensure these practices are not occurring and that other possible cosmetic procedures do not become commonplace in the future.
Behind the ear should be trimmed neatly. Aussies should not have dreadlocks hanging from their ears! After brushing out any tangles from behind the ear with a slicker brush, Use thinning shears to take out some of the long fine hair that grows around the ear. Hold the ear leather out of the way and gently trim.
The most common symptom of glue ear is temporary hearing loss. It can affect both ears at the same time. Other symptoms may include: earache or ear pain.
“Some dogs do it when they are excited or anxious: The physical contact may be comforting to them,” Dr. Sung says. “It can also be a form of attention-seeking behavior. Who would not pay attention to a dog walking between their legs?”