All Ears - All About Your Dog's Ears

A German Shepherd's ears prick. A Labrador's lie dropped down. A French Bull dog has bat ears. A Jack Russell has button ears. Cocker Spaniels have thick floppy ears and English Toy Terriers have candle flame ears. While the ears of dogs differ in size and shape, they all have certain things in common. They can hear better than humans can. They can easily distinguish one sound from another with less difficulty than people can. Their ears are also expressive. They communicate to each other moods and intentions. They are a way of telling other dogs and people how they feel.

Pitbulls, for example, lay their ears (uncropped) back if they plan on fighting. Ears tilt forward to indicate curiosity. Ears can cower down in submission. They can prick cockily to show their desire to play. Ears are so much more than a means of hearing. Yet, you should be aware of how powerful a dog's ears are.

Scientists measure sound in Hertz (Hz). Humans at the low end can hear between 20 and 70. Their high range may extend to 23,000Hz. Dogs, on the other hand, can hear as low as between 16 Hz. They can hear as high as 105,000. The average range for humans is between 63 and 23,000. The average range for dogs is 67 and 45,000. Whatever figures you choose, it is obvious. The dog has the superior ear.

Not only can dogs hear more, they can hear it faster. The dog can pick up a sound in as little as 1/16th hundredth of a second. There range to do so is at a range of 4 times further than a person's. Their acuity makes them one sharp animal.

While the ability to hear sound varies among breeds and changes according to age, all dogs require you to help them maintain healthy aural faculties. It is up to you to help protect your dog from hearing loss. This requires you check ears regularly. Some Vets and books recommend you check your dog's ears weekly.

This is particularly true if you have a dog with floppy ears. Floppy ears are more susceptible to such things as ear infections. The nature of the ear, while beneficial in some ways, is detrimental in others. Moisture builds up in the environment created by the shape of the ears. As a result, it can be an incubation site for bacteria, mites and yeast. Breeds most affected include sporting dogs and, of course, hounds. Basset hounds and beagles are two examples of dogs requiring more attention in this area.

There are many ways to clean ears. All involve heaving a friendly relationship with your dog. You will need to exert some form of restraint. Do not make a big fuss while you are doing it. Do not make it a serious process. Make it seem a natural part of the puppy's life. Do start training when they are puppies. This will simplify matters when they are adults.

Hold the earflap up gently. You then have two possibilities. You can swab it with an otic solution. You let some enter the dog's ear then gently massage the outside before wiping away all excess. Use a sterile gauze or cotton swab.

Another way is to replace the otic solution with a dry cotton swab. Clean, first around the inner area, following it up with a moist, warm swab. Use distilled water. In a rotating motion, swiftly remove debris from the folds and other crevices. For this procedure, you may use a q-tip. As with the swab, use first a wet then a dry one. Do so with great caution. Any hurtful action will negatively impact further cleanings.

If you spot discharge or detect a strong odor, take your dog to a vet. If you have problems cleaning ears, consult your vet or a trainer. At all times, DO NOT attempt top clean the ear beyond the exterior flap. You do not want to cause irreparable damage or temporary pain to your dog. If you start this routine as a puppy, you can continue to do so at all ages without problems.

Information provided by Lisa Clark of www.ohmydogsupplies.com, the top ranked spot to purchase car seat covers for dogs online.

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