Jack Russells' ears.

[B00]

Every JR I've ever seen, either in pictures or in reality have ears that flap down however i've had two JR's so far and both of their ears stick upwards making them look very similar to Batfink!

Now I've seen both sets of parents and know that they came from JR parentage so why have both of my JR's ears stuck up? Is it a quirk?

It's not a concern or a worry, but I'm curious as to why my JR's look naff all like 'proper' ones.

Any ideas?

[Booldawg]

It is a genetic trait, same with Bulldogs. The standard requires 'rose' ears (ones with that fold down). I've even heard of show-type people sellotaping the ears down on puppies to try and train the bones to grow that way.

[daisycup]

my friend had the same problem with her JR's ears and she took it to the vet and he said that all it was is that the dog is "alert" all the time and nothing to worry about. I think they look rather cute with their ears up.

[lankeela]

LOL, jules, they've obviously never had a Collie! I had a Smooth Collie (like Lassie but with a short coat) and they should have ears with the top third tipping forward, but his started to go heavenwards as he was teething. I tried everything (not just sellotape!) to get them to go over, massaging, taping, kaolin paste (which hardens then brushes out) but the best thing was a half sucked fruit gum stuck to the ears, until the other dogs eat them. Afraid it sounds a bit daft but for the show ring it is essential to have tipped ears on a Rough or Smooth Collie, or Shetland Sheepdog, although most of the pictures you see of pet dogs have them upright. Some Border Collies also have pricked ears, but it is not a fault with them. It is not cruel to help them to tip, or in the case of German Shepherds to tape them to help them stand up, but abroad they still crop (cut) the ears of some breeds such as Dobermmans and Great Danes to make them stand up. Fortunately this is banned in this country, and you cannot show a dog with cropped ears, although they can be bred from.

My present breed can have ears either up or tipped, but just my luck, I have one with one of each!

[jules77]

Lankeela you beat me to it, I thought I would get slated by saying what I have done in the past to get ears to tip over, not sellotape I hasten to add, kaolin poultice and beeswax were favourite, but I thought kaolin was just making the ears stronger as when it was removed they sprung upwards worse than before. My latest trick is neatfoot oil as I thought if it can soften leather why not a dogs ears, have to say it worked great on puppies ears and they are perfect, but the other dogs like the taste and sit and lick it off.....I am sure he thought they were in love with him as he looked in heaven while they pinned him down and sucked his ears to death. Another problem is 'heavy' ears, and I have one who's ears could really do with being a bit lighter, but as she is 4 years old now, not sure anything I try and do will have any effect.

[B00]

Good lord- sticking ears down with sweets? Not sure who'd snaffle em from there first- me, the dog itself or Mini Boo!

Like I said it's not a worry or a concern, I certainly won't be showing her, she's too bloody simple for owt like that.

Like I said, I was more curious why hers stuck up rather than down like her mums definitely did (unless there were boiled sweets glueing em down)

Thank you for the replies :-)