Have you ever noticed how cute your pup is when its ears perk up? I bet that it will show a surprised and fun look. Even though my longhaired whippet dog doesn’t have naturally erect ears, his ears still stand up whenever he feels excited. That time I know that the dog with pointy ears didn’t necessarily come with erect ears when he was born. And we can raise our little puppy to grow up developing perky ears, even partially. 

This article will give you some useful information that you might not know about dog breeds with erect ears. For those that don’t own an erect-eared dog, like me, you can check ways to encourage your little pooch to develop ears that stand up. 

9 dog breeds with pointy ears

Australian Cattle Dog

The first dog breed with big ears that stand up is the Australian Cattle Dog, or ACD. In fact, these pooches are bred as herding animals; therefore, they usually come in a muscular body and have bursts of energy. The erect-eared buds are also well-known for their intelligence and friendliness, making them perfect pals for you and your kids.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua is a typical kind of small dog with pointy ears. The tiny prick-eared pets are grouped as a toy breed due to their small size. However, they are relatively lively, intelligent, and lovely. They also need a little bit of playtime during the day. Since their legs are short, it’s okay for you to play with them at your house. But if you have time, it’s better to take them outside.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is another black dog with pointy ears. This breed has more than one color, including black, black and brown, etc. The black one is more popular than others. The large-sized canines are widely renowned as a police dog might be because their big, erect ears can hear better than other dog ears’ shapes. 

Also, they are the kind of loyal, intelligent dog that is obedient to commanders. Besides, the pooches tend to be a bit dominant even at home, but they are still friendly enough to be good friends with your children.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the most well-known dog breeds with pointy ears. This friendly, lovely, small-size pooch makes a perfect family pet. It will be a pleasant companion to your kids because it is easy to adapt to apartment living style. Having said that, they still need a certain amount of time for activities.

Portuguese Podengo

The next erect eared dog is the Portuguese Podengo breed. These pooches come in either large or small sizes. The most significant disposition of these pointy-eared dogs is independence. Hence, it will be a bit difficult to train them. However, they are really intelligent, alert, and playful. These canines are also skilled at dog sports, especially agility contests.

Samoyed

The Samoyed breed is usually nicknamed “Sammie Smile” because of its happy eyes and smile. They look like a huge white fluffy ball with small ears that stand up. These pooches are known for their friendliness. They make great family pals and also good guard dogs. They will need quite many exercises, and they might bark continuously if you left them alone for a long time.

Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky is a medium to large-sized dog breed with upright ears. Regardless of their size, these cold-weather canines are incredibly affectionate and friendly with children. They are pleased to meet other people and dogs too. This breed is also playful and requires lots of activities.

Swedish Vallhund

This adorable pup is a small-sized “version” of, you guessed it, German Shepherd. These pointed ear dogs have short legs but relatively alert, making good canines for farm work. These good-natured pooches also make great family pets because they share an abundance of friendliness and intelligence. This breed is eager to play mental stimulation games too.

West Highland White Terrier (Westie)

The last perky ear dog in this list is the West Highland White Terrier, also known as white coarse fur Westie. These little pups are intelligent and agile, though quite mischievous. However, they still make good companions and family pets as long as adequately trained. Otherwise, they can havoc your house.

Signs your dog can develop pointy ears

Not all dog breeds are born with standing ears. It is also not possible that dog breeds with erect ears will grow up developing upright ears. In other words, dogs with floppy ears can still get a chance to have partially erect ears. If you are unsure whether your pup has naturally pricked ears, here are some typical signs to check. 

One of the most common ways is to check their ears’ position on their head. If they stay close together and are on the head’s top, there will be a greater chance that they will grow pointedly when your pup is older.

You can also notice if your puppy’s ears stand up when you call him or when he feels excited. If yes, it is possible that they will grow up with pricked ears. 

How to stimulate your puppy’s ears to perk up?

If you don’t have dog breeds with ears that stand up, don’t worry. As mentioned above, there are many chances your little pal can develop pricked ears even though it was born with ears that drop down. Here are some tips to encourage your small canine ears to stand up gradually.

Add some calcium to their daily diet

There are various calcium supplements available, and you can add some together with a bit of yogurt for your pup to chew on. It is the same as the teething process. However, it’s important to consult with your vet before putting these supplements into your pal’s diet. Too much calcium can cause bone problems later on. 

Feed chewing toys

Chew toys and bones are considered an excellent way to strengthen jaw muscles, stimulating muscles around the ears. Consider the number of chews you will provide for your puppy because they need time for other activities too.

Prevent tough head rubbing

When your dog is still young, the cartilage inside its ears is fragile and prone to damage if excessively patted. Just rub its head gently, but it’s best to wait until he is a bit older.

Avoid rough-housing

Like excessive head pats, close spaces can inhibit your little canine’s ears development. You will need a large quarter enough for them to eat or sleep comfortably. 

Besides, you can consult some tips to make your dog’s ears stand up here.

Frequently asked questions

Even perky-ear dogs owners still have lots of queries relating to their pal’s hearability or other issues. Hope the following commonly asked questions can cope with your problems.

Q: Are dogs born with pointy ears?

A: It is not necessary that all dogs were meant to have pointy ears. Some typical breeds like herding, terrier, or working families traditionally appear perky ears. It is also possible that dogs born with floppy ears can develop erect ears to some extent if you have proper methods.

Q: Do dogs with pointy ears hear better?

A: Dogs with pointy ears are believed to hear better than ones with floppy ears Basset Hound, Beagle, etc. You can see that humans mimic this feature cupping their hands behind the back of their ears to reach a broader range of sound.

Q: How can you tell if your dog has a pointy ear?

A: One of the most common ways to know if your pup is likely to have pricked ears is observing their position on the head. If they stay close together and higher on the pooch’s head, there’s a great possibility that your canine has erect ears. 

Wrap up

No matter the dog breed you have, these pointed ears are still lovely, fun, a bit mischievous, yet friendly. Their good nature makes them perfect companions, and some can even be great family pets because they are affectionate to children. 

I hope that you have enjoyed the list of my favorite pointy ears pooches.