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Ears

Pug Ears

Overview

Pugs are a very unique breed that has very interesting ears; they are one of the standout features of this amazing toy breed dog. There should be routine cleaning to keep the ears clean and free of odors. And, even so, ear infections can develop which can cause intense itching and discomfort. 

This section will cover: 

Pug Ear Shape and Set - This includes AKC, FCI, and KC breed standards, photo examples of different types of Pug ears, changes that may be seen as a Pug puppy matures, and the matter of attempting to correct the way that ears fall. 
Pug Ear Care and Cleaning - The important steps of keeping your Pug's ear flaps, outer ear canals, and inner ear canals clean for both hygiene and prevention of infections. 
Pug Ear Odor - The types of smells that may stem from the ears and what these may mean.
Pug Ear Infections - Signs, causes, and treatment of bacterial, yeast, and mite ear infections. 

Pug Ear Shape and Set per Breed Standards

Pugs have small, folded ears that are black in color. It is a beautiful feature since the black ears match the black mask that is also a hallmark of this breed. Of course, these is apparent on non-black Pugs (fawns, silver-fawns, and apricot-fawns) since black Pugs have black fur, and thus ears, all over. 
Per the AKC (American Kennel Club): The ears are thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There are two kinds - the “rose” and the “button”. Preference is given to the latter.

Per the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale, the largest kennel organization with 90+ member countries) and the KC (Kennel Club of the UK): Ears: Thin, small, soft like black velvet. Two kinds – “Rose ear” - small drop - ear which folds over and back to reveal the burr. “Button ear” - ear flap folding forward, tip lying close to skull to cover opening. Preference given to latter.

So, as you can see, there is a general agreement that Pugs will have small black ears that are very soft to the touch, reminding one of velvet and that there are two accepted shapes (rose and button) with the button being preferred in conformation show rings.  

Types of Pug Ears

While there are variations of the Pug ear and each dog will have his own unique look, one element is clear with this breed: The ear is a folded ear, meaning that it rises and then flaps over itself. The differences in Pug ears are the angle in which it folds and the distance from the ear tip to the side of the face.

Let's take a look at examples of the various types of ears a Pug can have: 
The button ear
Pug button ear
The button ear on a Pug is one in which the ear folds forward, pointing toward the outer corner of the eye, and lying against the face. The outer ear canal is fully covered. This is the preferred ear shape in conformation shows. 
The rose ear
Pug rose ear
The rose ear on a Pug is similar to the button ear in that it folds over, but the major difference is that the ear has a softer fold in which the ear stands out a bit and does not lie against the Pug's face. The burr on a Pug is the section of cartilage that forms a small bump on the outer ear canal and this shows with the rose ear. This ear shape is accepted, but not preferred, in the show ring. 
The fly ear
Pug fly ear
The fly ear, also known as the rose flying ear, is considered a fault with the Pug breed. The ear just barely folds and the flaps extend far from the Pug's face. Though there is nothing wrong with a pet Pug having this type of ear set, this is a genetic trait that can be passed down and for this reason Pugs with flying ears should not be in breeding programs. 

Changes in Ear Shape and Color as a Pug Puppy Grows

The ear shape that a young Pug puppy has will be a strong indicator of the final adult ear set. However, if a Pug puppy has ears that stand out a bit (rose ears) these can eventually fall down to lie against the face (button ears). And, if a Pug puppy has ears that really stand out far from the face (flying ears), there is a chance that they may settle down to just expose the burr (rose ears). This, however, is by no means a guarantee.

You may notice the ears changing during the first 9 months, most obvious during the teething phase which can temporarily affect the ear set due to a connection from nerves in the jaw to muscles in the ear base. 
Coloring on the ears seen at a young age is also a strong indicator of what to expect once a Pug becomes an adult. However, there can be changes with this as well.  Fawn and other non-black Pug puppies may have only partially black ears or a faded black color and this may fill in and/or darken as the pup matures. 

So, typically, the ear set and ear color on a Pug puppy will let you know what to expect in general, yet there can be some changes during the first year. Final adult set and color is in place by the one-year mark. 

Is There a Way to Make a Pug's Ears Lie Flatter?

Ear set on a Pug, like other physical features, is genetic. Sort of cosmetic surgery, there is no method that owners can do to change the ear set on a Pug. You may have heard about taping which is a method literally using tape to hold a puppy's ears into a desired position in the hopes that they will eventually stay that way. But, this rarely produces any visibly noticeable results and can be quite time consuming and frustrating for both owner and dog. 

If your Pug's ears are not what you expected them to be, remember that every dog is beautiful and unique in their own way. The only time that ear set truly matters is if you plan to enter your Pug into conformation shows or a breeding program. 

Pug Ear Care and Cleaning

Part of properly grooming a Pug involves taking care of the ears. This is done for hygiene purposes (to remove dirt, debris, excess wax, and possible related odors) as well as health (to help prevent ear infections). Cleaning the ears involves two different aspects:

Ear flaps and outer ear canal - Anything on the inner ear flaps or outer ear canal including moisture and fine particle debris can make its way deep into a Pug's inner ear canal which can eventually lead to issues including infection. So, for this, routinely use a wipe to clean the entire inner flap and outer ear canal (as far as you can comfortably reach in). 

This is typically done once per week. If your Pug has had problems with reoccurring ear infections, the veterinarian may instruct you to do this every other day. 
A recommended ear wipe for Pugs is PPP Pet Aroma Care Ear Wipes; these are small textured ear specialty wipes with both aloe vera and eucalyptus that works very well to clean the ear area and leave a nice fresh scent. 
Inner ear canal - Even if you work to keep your Pug's ear flaps and outer canals clean, the inner ear canals should be cleaned every so often. This will help break up thick clumps of excess ear wax, flush the ears of fine debris, and dry up any excess moisture. For regular maintenance, this is generally done every 6 weeks. If a Pug has a history of ear infections, the veterinarian may instruct you to do this as often as once per week. 

Instructions for cleaning a Pug's ear canals are as so:
  1. Clean one ear at a time
  2. Use one hand to lift the ear flap. 
  3. Use your other hand to place several drops of ear solution into the ear canal (for exact number of drops, follow the instructions on the label)
  4. Massage the base of the ear by placing your thumb on one side of your Pug's ear and your forefinger on the other side. Press your fingers toward each other and slowly move them around. You may hear swashing sounds as you move the solution around. Massage for 2 to 3 minutes. 
  5. Use a piece of sterile gauze, ear wipes, or cotton balls to thoroughly clear off anything that has come up and onto the outer ear canal. 
Tip: Do not be surprised at what you may see as you clean up the gunk that comes out. The color of the matter can range from yellow to dark brown and may contain any number of colored specks including green and black.
A recommended ear cleanser for Pugs is Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner which is a non-alcohol formula (no stinging) that works exceptionally well to break up wax, lift up debris, and dry any inner moisture. 

Pug Ear Odor

A mild odor coming from the ears may simply be a sign that it's time to clear out the ear canals of accumulated ear wax and other matter that are clogging the canals. This can be done using the method as previously described under 'Pug Ear Care and Cleaning'.

However, a very strong pungent odor from the ears is a sign of an ear infection. This may be a musty, yeasty, or moldy smell. In many cases this will require a medicated ear treatment and this is what will be covered next. 

Pug Ear Infections

Ear infections are very common with dogs; in fact, this is one of the top reasons for sick visits to the veterinarian. There are several types of ear infections that can develop including yeast, bacterial, and mites. 

Causes: 

There are several possible causes of ear infections with Pugs including chronically dirty ears and moisture in the ears. Yeast infections may also occur due to immune system response, often seen alongside different types of allergies. Ear mites are very contagious and can be transferred from one dog to another when in close quarters, typically seen in shelters, doggie day cares, and other facilities. 

Symptoms:

Signs of an ear infection include one or more of the following: 
  • Itchiness (a dog may scratch at the ears or rub his head into different surfaces)
  • Head shaking 
  • Strong odor
  • Red, irritated outer ear canal
  • Discharge
  • Crusting
  • Black or red crumbly specks (see with ear mites)
Treatment: 

If you are not sure if your Pug has an ear infection, are not sure of the exact type, if home remedy methods have not produced results, or if you do not feel confident treating an ear infection from home, it is recommended to bring your puppy or dog to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.  The ears will be examined and a sample from the inner ear canal may be taken to determine the exact type of infection. Both topical treatments and oral medications may be given depending on whether the problem is a bacterial, yeast, or mite infection. 
This said, some acute ear infections can be treated at home. A medicated ear solution like Pet King Brands Zymox Otic Ear Treatment w Hydrocortisone contains a broad spectrum enzymatic solution that kills several of the most common strains of bacteria seen with canine ear infections (including streptococcus, and staphylococcus) and common strains of yeast (including malassezia pachydermatitis, candida albicans, and candida albicans). This also has hydrocortisone to help with itching and inflammation. 
For first-time infections, this is used once per day for 1 week and for chronic reoccurring infections this is used once per day for 2 weeks. 
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Giving a Pug a Bath - A guide to making sure that baths are done on time and are effective in cleansing away body oils and odors while keeping both skin and fur in great shape. 
Pug Teeth and Dental Care - A summary of type of bite set and details of how to take proper care of your Pug's teeth to prevent decay and periodontal disease which can lead to eventual tooth loss. 
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