Frenchies’ absolutely adorable ears have to be one of the top reasons to love the Frenchie.
But those big ears can have big problems…
Read on to learn…
- Ear Types— Frenchies have two different ear types, but only one is officially recognized by the AKC
- Ear Problems— big ears can have big problems; learn about the signs of ear issues and how to fix them
- How to Clean Frenchie Ears— you need to regularly clean your Frenchie’s ears; it’s simple & quick to do though!
- Common Frenchie Ear Questions— are Frenchie’s ears cropped? why are my Frenchies ears down?
How to clean your French Bulldog’s Ears
Cleaning your Frenchie’s ears doesn’t have to take long— the whole entire process should take you less than 10 minutes (if your Frenchie is behaving!).
What you need
- A towel— this is for wiping up any excess debris or ear cleaner
- Ear cleaner— you can’t just use water; you’ll need a product specifically for pets… something like Epi-Otic Ear Cleanser will work just fine
- Cotton balls— they’re gentle and absorbent and help to remove any debris or buildup on the ear without causing further irritation; if you don’t have cotton balls lying around, you can find them at any convenience store or online
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Things to avoid when cleaning their ears
- DON’T use water— as it can increase risk of infection if the moisture gets trapped in the ear
- DON’T use Q-Tips— they can cause damage to eardrum if inserted too far (that goes for all you humans too!); use cotton balls like this instead
- DON’T clean their ears too often— once a month is generally recommended but you should check their ears weekly
- DON’T use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide-based ear cleaners— these are far too harsh & can cause irritation or burns
7 Simple Steps to Clean your Frenchie’s Ears
- Get your cleaning supplies— before you start, make sure you have all the necessary supplies. You’ll need an ear cleaning solution, cotton balls or pads, and a towel.
- Get your Frenchie relaxed & comfy— find a comfortable spot for your Frenchie to sit or lie down. Give them some treats or cuddles to help them relax.
- Apply ear cleaning solution— squeeze a small amount of ear cleaning solution into your Frenchie’s ear canal. Be careful not to insert the applicator tip too deeply.
- Massage the base of the ear for 20–30 seconds— gently massage the base of the ear for about 20-30 seconds. This will help the solution break up any dirt, wax or debris in the ear.
- Let them shake their head— your Frenchie will likely want to shake their head after you’ve massaged their ear. This is normal and will help remove any loosened debris.
- Wipe away any excess debris or ear cleaning solution— use a cotton ball or pad to gently wipe away any excess debris or ear cleaning solution from the ear.
- Repeat for the other ear— repeat the process for the other ear, using a new cotton ball or pad and fresh cleaning solution.
French Bulldog Ear Types
While most Frenchies have the standard Bat Ears (which is part of the AKC Breed Standard), it’s also possible for them to have what are known as “rose ears”.
Frenchies can have either…
- Bat Ears
- Rose Ears
While Frenchies can have these Rose Ears, it’s important to note that they are not allowed by the AKC.
This means that Frenchies without Bat Ears are disqualified from AKC registration & participation in AKC dog shows.
French Bulldog Ear Timeline
- 3-4 weeks— French Bulldog puppies are born with their ears closed and flat against their heads.
- 4-8 weeks— The ears begin to open and move upwards, but they will still be very soft and floppy.
- 8-12 weeks— The ears will become more mobile and start to stand up occasionally, but they will still be quite floppy most of the time.
- 12-16 weeks— The ears will become more firm and will begin to stand up more frequently, but they may still flop over at times.
- 4-6 months— By this point, most French Bulldog puppies’ ears will be standing up consistently, although they may still be a little wobbly.
- 6-9 months— Some Frenchies may take a little longer to fully develop upright ears, but by 9 months, most should have fully developed ears that stand up straight.
Bat Ears
These are the typical Frenchie ears that we all know and love.
They stick right up like a bat’s
They’re broad at the base and round at the top.
The AKC says they have to be set up high on the head, but not too close together.
The AKC states…
Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with round top, set high on the head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. The leather of the ear fine and soft. Other than bat ears is a disqualification.
— AKC French Bulldog Breed Standard
Ears that don’t match these requirements are a disqualification by AKC standards, even if they appear to be “Bat Ears”.
Rose Ears or Floppy Ears
A Frenchie with Rose Ears is one with ears that are Floppy/Rose-shaped.
Rather than stand up perfectly straight like Bat Ears, they start to rise a little & then fold over halfway.
Frenchies aren’t born with their ears sticking up! They are “down” for a while until they get a bit older.
Other breeds with Rose Ears include…
- Pug
- Boxer
- Beagle
- Greyhound
- Basset Hound
- English Bulldog
French Bulldog Ear Problems
Those big ears can have big problems…
And I’m not just talking about Selective Listening…
Problems such as…
- Ear mites
- Ear infections
- Foreign objects getting stuck
French Bulldog Ear Infection
Ear infections are common in Frenchies due to their allergies & narrow ear canals.
Those big ears can have big problems.
Preventing Ear Infections
The best way to prevent your Frenchie from getting an ear infection is by regular cleaning (1x a month is fine), drying them when they get wet, and treating any of their allergies.
- Clean them once a month
- Dry their ears after they get wet
- Treat any allergies that your Frenchie has
Signs your Frenchie has an Ear Infection
- Head shaking or tilting
- A bad odor from the ear
- Redness or swelling of the ear
- They scratch or rub their ear(s)
- Brown, yellow or bloody discharge
- It’s painful when you touch their ear
Don’t ignore an ear infection
You don’t want to ignore the signs of an ear infection.
If left untreated, symptoms can get pretty severe and possibly cause hearing loss and loss of coordination.
French Bulldog Ear Mites
Ear Mites are a tiny type of parasite — around 0.1mm–2mm — that lives in/around the ear.
How do dogs get Ear Mites?
Your dog can get Ear Mites simply by being outside or around other animals that have them… the dog park is one main
The symptoms of Ear Mites are pretty similar to that of an ear infection— but regardless of what is causing their symptoms, they’re probably going to need to see a vet to get things under control.
Signs your Frenchie has Ear Mites
- Head shaking
- A bad odor from the ear
- A dark discharge from the ear
- Scratching or rubbing their ear(s)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my French Bulldog’s ears down?
- Age— their ears might not have had the chance to pop up yet… when Frenchies are born, their ears are “down” and it stays like this for a while until they mature a bit
- Genetics— as mentioned earlier, some Frenchies have “Rose Ears”; this is likely the case if your Frenchie is growing/grown into adulthood and their ears still haven’t stood up.
When do French Bulldog ears stand up?
Frenchies aren’t born with their ears up.
The process begins around 4–6 weeks of age, and they’re usually standing up straight on their own by 10–15 weeks.
French Bulldog Ear Timeline
- 3-4 weeks— French Bulldog puppies are born with their ears closed and flat against their heads.
- 4-8 weeks— The ears begin to open and move upwards, but they will still be very soft and floppy.
- 8-12 weeks— The ears will become more mobile and start to stand up occasionally, but they will still be quite floppy most of the time.
- 12-16 weeks— The ears will become more firm and will begin to stand up more frequently, but they may still flop over at times.
- 4-6 months— By this point, most French Bulldog puppies’ ears will be standing up consistently, although they may still be a little wobbly.
- 6-9 months— Some Frenchies may take a little longer to fully develop upright ears, but by 9 months, most should have fully developed ears that stand up straight.
Can I crop my French Bulldog’s ears?
You shouldn’t crop your Frenchie’s ears because…
- It can cause pain
- It is illegal in many parts of the world
- They have less expression/emotion in ears
- Many veterinarians are against it
- There are health risks