When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

French Bulldog Ears: What You Should Know

French Bulldogs are adorable and compact dogs.

They make great pets because they are cuddly, low-maintenance, small, and ideal for families.

They have a distinct look, part of which is their ears.

Typically, they have pointed ears that resemble bat ears.

There is a good amount to know about a French Bulldog’s ears.

If you have one or plan to get one, the details outlined below will help you properly care for your Frenchie’s ears. 

Do All French Bulldogs Ears Stand Up? 

frenchie with ears standing up

In general, a French Bulldog has bat ears, which means they stand tall.

It is one of the defining characteristics of a Frenchie.

However, not all of them have ears that stand up straight.

Some have what is referred to as rose ears, which are ears that flop over.

These ears are just as cute, and there is nothing wrong with them; they just do not stand up tall. 

Most Frenchies have rose ears when they are newborn puppies.

Most of them begin to stand up when they are several months old.

For others, it may take a little longer.

Usually, by the time it is finished teething, a French Bulldog’s ears will stand up straight and tall.

Generally, you do not need to do anything to assist them as the ears will stand up on their own. 

For some rare Frenchies, their teeth come in, and their ears still are not standing up.

Therefore, Rosebud ears may mean that your French Bulldog is unique.

However, they could still stand later after more time has passed.

Either way, there is nothing wrong with the dog, but they may require additional ear care if their ears flop like rosebud ears. 

ALSO READ: Are French Bulldog Floppy Ears Normal? (And Can I Fix Them?)

Do You Have To Tape Frenchie Ears?

There are so many reasons why your dog’s ears may flop.

They could be heavier and larger than average, and the ear is not strong enough.

Your Frenchie may have had trauma or injury to the ear preventing it from standing. 

Taping is one way to help support your dog’s ears to help them stand.

If you are interested in this process, you should consult your dog’s vet to ensure you do not do further damage. 

If your puppy’s ears are not standing by age four months before, you might want to decide to tape its ears.

However, it could be too late at this point.

The early you start the process, the less time it will take.

It may only take about four weeks to get your dog’s ears to stand when you start early. 

It is essential that you use the proper tape for this process as you can damage your Frenchie’s ears.

There are two different taping methods to consider.

Your vet can help you decide which is best for your dog.

You must keep the tape on 24 hours a day until the ears are strong enough to stand.

You will have to replace the tape every couple of days, as needed. 

black and white french bulldog

French Bulldog Ear Problems

French Bulldogs are known to have their share of ear problems.

They may include:

Ear Infections 

French Bulldogs have narrow ear canals, which make them more likely to have ear infections than other dog breeds.

In addition, they are likely to have allergies that may cause swollen glands that produce excess wax, leading to ear infections.

Your Frenchie may exhibit some signs that its ears are bothering them, such as scratching, redness, and wax build up.

Proper cleaning can help prevent ear infections. 

Hearing Loss

French Bulldogs may be born deaf, or it develops as they get older.

There are genes present in white colored dogs that make them more likely to have hearing problems and hearing loss.

Your vet can perform a hearing test on your dog to determine if your pet suffers from hearing loss. 

Sunburn

Frenchies can get sunburn easily, especially on their tails and ears.

This propensity to sunburn is because they have thin coats, which means their skin burns.

Sunburn is uncomfortable and severe for your furry friend.

It is best to let them outside in the morning or evening to avoid the strongest rays.

If your pup is out in the sun, keep them in the shade.

Also, ask your vet about safe and zinc free sunscreen. 

french bulldog sleeping on mat

Cleaning Frenchie Ears

It is essential that you clean your Frenchie’s ears regularly.

You want to choose a spot free of distractions and where you do not mind making a mess.

You could consider cleaning them in the bathtub.

Before you clean their eyes, you want to take a good look at them.

Make sure they are not red or have any discharge.

Those could be signs of an infection.

It would be best if you did not clean them but contact your vet to check for an infection. 

You want to use an ear cleaning solution that is specifically intended for your dog’s ears.

You are going to tilt your dog’s head to one side and fill the ear with the solution.

Of course, your dog is not going to like it and try to shake its head, but you have to try to keep it still. 

Once you have its ear full of the solution, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds.

Once done, place a towel over your dog’s ear. It will shake out the excess cleaner.

Then use a cotton pad to wipe away excess moisture.

It is essential that you keep its ears free of moisture. 

If the ear still appears dirty, you may need to repeat the entire process again.

If this ear looks good, you can move on to the other ear.

If this process is new to you, you may want to talk it over with your vet and ask them to show you the best way to do it. 

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

National Canine Research Association of America