Why Yorkie Ears Stand — and Why Morkie & Shorkie Ears Don’t
By Lil Luxe Pups — Helping You Understand Your Puppy’s Unique Traits
One of the most common questions new puppy parents ask is,
“Will my puppy’s ears stand up?”
The answer depends entirely on breed, genetics, grooming, and development.
Yorkies, Morkies, and Shorkies may belong to the same adorable family, but their ears follow very different rules. Understanding why helps set healthy expectations and gives you confidence as your puppy grows.
Why Yorkie Ears Stand Naturally
Yorkshire Terriers are genetically designed to have upright, pointed ears. This is part of the breed standard recognized by organizations like the American Kennel Club (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/).
Yorkie ears typically stand once teething is complete. During teething, calcium is pulled toward the teeth and away from the ears, which is why ears may appear floppy for a few weeks. Once teething settles, the cartilage strengthens and the ears prick upward on their own.
Some breeders tape ears to encourage standing, but here at Lil Luxe Pups, we believe in allowing natural development. A healthy Yorkie puppy’s ears will stand all on their own when given time and proper grooming.
Why Morkie & Shorkie Ears Stay Floppy
Morkies and Shorkies are mixed with Maltese or Shih Tzu, two breeds known for their soft, floppy ears. These genes are dominant, meaning the floppy shape almost always prevails.
A Morkie or Shorkie with floppy ears is completely normal, expected, and part of their signature teddy-bear charm. Their sweet, down-turned ears give them the soft and cuddly look families love. There are times where we have morkies that have ears that stand, because of the yorkie genetics that are dominant.
If you’re learning about each breed’s traits, our Lil Luxe Pups puppy guide has more helpful insights:
https://lilluxepups.com/puppies/
How Grooming Affects Ear Development
Grooming plays a bigger role in ear posture than most people realize.
1. Hair Weight Matters
When too much hair grows on the ears, it becomes heavy. That weight pulls cartilage downward — especially on young puppies whose ears haven’t fully strengthened.
2. Shaving the Ear Tips Helps Yorkies
Removing the extra hair lightens the ear and encourages the cartilage to lift. This is why groomers often clean up the ears during puppy trims.
3. Pictures Can Be Misleading
Ear posture often varies from one photo to the next simply because grooming was done differently that day.
If you see a Yorkie with one ear up and one ear down?
Don’t worry — that’s common during the teething stage!
When Should You Expect Yorkie Ears to Stand?
Every puppy is unique, but here’s the general timeline:
8–12 weeks: Ears may flop due to teething
12–16 weeks: Cartilage begins strengthening
4–6 months: Most Yorkie ears stand fully
If hair is long: They may stay floppy until trimmed
A healthy diet, gentle grooming, and developmental time are the key ingredients.
Why Ear Type Doesn’t Affect Personality or Health
Floppy, pricked, tipped, or mismatched — your puppy’s ears tell their own story.
Ear posture does not impact:
Intelligence
Temperament
Bonding
Trainability
Health or lifespan
But understanding your puppy’s ear genetics helps set realistic expectations and avoid unnecessary worry.
Final Thoughts
Yorkies have upright ears by design.
Morkies and Shorkies have floppy ears because of their genetics.
Grooming affects both.
At Lil Luxe Pups, we love celebrating what makes each breed unique — from their coats and colors to their sweet little ears. Whether your puppy’s ears stand tall or stay adorably floppy, they’re perfect just the way they are.
