brookitar Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 My border collie puppy now 13 1/2 weeks is going through some wacky ear changes. She seems to switch ears one up and one back. When she plays they sometimes both stand up usually floppy or pricked. For the most part its really just one ear of the two that decides to stand up all day long. Is this a sign her ears are going to stand up eventually or do border collies change their ear stance depending on their attentiveness? When did your border collies ears start to stand up? Here is a picture of what I'm talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 One of my dogs flirted with prick ears from the time he was 8 weeks old - I have a photo of him with tipped ears at four months. But pricked they most definitely are, and have been, consistently, since shortly after the photo at four months. The other insisted on tipped/airplane ears until he was six months old. Virtually overnight (with slight warning - pricked when he was excited) they became pricked, and stayed that way. I do think in both cases the more excited they were, the more pricked their ears. My third dog (at 7 years of age) has airplane ears (or is earless) when she's calm. When she's really excited, they're fully pricked. Her ears are a great barometer to her mood! (We call them "Dobby" ears). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxi Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 (edited) BCs definitely change the position of their ears depending on what they are thinking/ feeling and listening to... some dogs more than others. Ears can be very expressive.. It's all part of the vast repertoire of communication cues that BCs use...yet another reason to love and admire 'em . In pups odd positions can also definitely be a prelude to ending up with pointed ears.There is other threads in coffee break area where this has been discussed. I enjoy watching what my pup' s ears are doing and I use this to help me understand what she is telling me and of course I speculate where they'll end up..but in the greater scheme of things, I'm happy with wherever they finally land. Enjoy your pup, she,s very cute. Added in edit. Oops. The other thread I mentioned is in The people's border collie gallery forum not the coffee break Edited September 11, 2014 by Maxi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMP Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 At nearly 5 months, my puppy's ears are all over the place, but more often in a pricked position than not. But they are definitely indicators as to her mood and mindset. Nothing more endearing than a one ear up, one ear down BC puppy with its head cocked at you, is there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 I was surprised by Bandit's ear progression. For the first five months, his ears changed all the time. Flopped, airplane, high airplane, one airplane-one flop, all the way up, etc. It seemed like any configuration he could have, he did have. Then, around 5 months old, they took on a flat airplane style and pretty much stayed that way. I hardly saw them go up anymore. I started to think they were set as they were. Then, around the 6 month mark, they started to go up again. Always straight up - sometimes one, sometimes the other, sometimes both. They were either flat airplane or up. And then - one day - they were both up almost all the time and it's been that way ever since!! It seemed like in one second they just went - BOING!! - up! I'm starting to get used to his ears-straight up look. He still flattens them back at times, but in the way they all do. I'm not seeing the flat airplane set very much. It's all in his photo threads in the photo section. It has been a lot of fun to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brookitar Posted September 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 Thanks I'll have to look up that discussion. The funny ears really do add to their personality its too cute!! I love when she decides to make a goofy face with one ear up I wish I had a better picture of it lol! Can't wait to see what she will look like when she's full grown! I feel like I have a child! I am really enjoying her she is so intelligent and I have taught her so much so far. She's come a long way from her timid nature when we first got her about 3 weeks ago. At first I was more of a cat person but Effie really has become my best friend. We have bonded so closely. The border collie is probably the best breed I have ever had. I always grew up with boxers, boston terriers, labs, and english bulldogs but none can compare to Effie. You really can see the intelligence in their faces...she always has to make eye contact with me its so different! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizabeth Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 I do love how the ears on a BC tell you what they are thinking! I have a feeling mine will have the air plane ears for her norm position, but more and more I have noticed them upright, I am so used to them flopping about, BC's are so adorable anyway they hold their ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushdoggie Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 its the main reason I dislike it when people wan to glue to pop sickle stick their ears...why would you want to take away that natural expression? The "I'm so happy I misplaced my ears" look the "I'm ready for takeoff" alert look The "did you hear that?" one ear pop up: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 My pup just turned 13 weeks and he is really starting to experiment with different ear positions. Here are some that he tried today. This is his typical look. One straight up. Maybe just tipped at the edge. Both half mast. After all that work standing up his right ear needed a rest. What I find interesting is that he seems to like surround sound. He keeps the right ear facing forward most of the time and the left ear is to the side or back. Does anyone else notice their dog doing something similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfisher7151 Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 I don't have much to add in that regards, but Chan, I'm still madly in love with your pup. Keeper just turned 6 months and still doesn't know. I'm pretty positive that they aren't going up all the way, but he definitely can put one or both of them up when he wants. They always coincide with his mood, any herding or fetch and he'll pop them right up. I'm curious to see when he'll really decide. It seems some pups know by 7 weeks, and others wait until 9 or 10 months. And then there are the few that wait until 8 or 9 years and change their mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I don't have much to add in that regards, but Chan, I'm still madly in love with your pup. Thanks Kingfisher! He is a real sweetheart. Loves to snuggle and just so fun to have around! Your pup is mighty cute and I love the ear action he has going on in your profile pic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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