UKC: EARS: Ears are V-shaped, set at the outside edges of the skull. Matching ears are strongly preferred. Non- matching ear carriage should be penalized to the degree of the variation. NOTE: Ear carriage may not stabilize until a dog is mature. Dogs under one year of age should not be penalized for variations in ear carriage. COATED VARIETY: Ears are either erect, tipped, or button when the dog is alert. Hairless Variety: Erect ears are preferred but tipped or buton are acceptable.
FAULTS: Erect ears with sides curved inward forming a shape like a tulip pedal; rose ears; flying ears; non-matching ear carriages. Disqualification: Hanging ears.
· History of the Ratty Ear: UP? Down ? Where did the these ears come from? When you look at our foundation stocks you quickly see a vast array of ears.
Toy Manchester Ears: the Toy Manchester has the closest erect ear set to the modern day rat terrier, however Manchester ears tend to be thin compared to the RT.
Fox Terrier Ears: brought us the nice tipped ears that we have today. The fox terriers ears are V-shaped and small, of moderate thickness, and dropping forward close to the cheek, The topline of the folded ear should be well above the level of the skull.
· Beagle Ears: The beagle, a miniature foxhound, brought the rat terrier benefits in nose, structure & temperament however it brought a detriment to the RT ears. The drop ears gave the RT a loss of erectile power and rounded tips, both areas that should be avoided in the rat terrier.
· Whippet Ears: Whippet is the wonderful founder of the rose ear in rat terrier stock. Rose ears are extreamly hard to get rid of.
So how did we get the erect ear? In the last half of last century rat terrier breeders, while perfecting "there own stock" managed to set the erect ear style in a number of strong and long lasting lines. It is this preference that helped shape the rat terrier into a breed of predominately erect ears. Resent results in UKC show rings have substantiated the Erect as Prefered in the rat terrier.
GENETICALY SPEAKING: Ears are very complex creatures. Lets think about what actually goes into the making of an ear. Obviously size and shape. But to get expression and ear set you need to add muscle structure inside the ear, muscle structure of the forehead and neck, thickness of ear flesh and head shape (on which the muscle lies). Each of these variables can effect the outcome of the ear. To try to individually control just one of these factors is near impossible.
Now Lets take look at the various types of Ears below.then. take a good look at your dogs, evaluate the ears, good and the bad and remember always breed for the betterment of the Rat Terrier.
The ERECT EAR: On the left is an example of how the erect ear is a perfect balance of head shape, ear shape, ear thickness and muscle structure. Notice the shape, nice triangles that are in balance with the head. Notice the placement, not to close and not too far apart. Notice the size: not to big not too small. This head is an example of how erect ears ideally look.
The TIPPED EAR: Tipped ears are carried half to three-fourths erect, with tips breaking forward. In the picture to the left notice how even the break in the ear is matched on each ear. Tipped ears of matching height are very attractive.
The BUTTON or FOLDED EAR:
The button eared RT, like the Jack Russell Terrier shown at the left, the button ear is a "V" shaped ears of moderate thickness carried forward close to the head with the tip so as to cover the ear orifice. The fold is level with the top of the skull or slightly above. When at attention these ears do not rise too much and have no erectile tissue.
The HOUND, DROP or HANGING EAR:
Here is an interesting fact: not all hounds have hound ears, believe it or not but there are "hounds" out there that have erect ears. The Hound Ear is a pendulous ear, hanging dead by the side of the head. The reference "hound" brings to mind the Basset or Beagle ear that it is meant to typify. Take a look at the picture to your right. Notice how the ears do not rise above the top of the head? Also notice that this dog is at attention and still can not raise the ears, the muscles are pulling the ear out not up. Relaxed the ears would fall straight flat against the side of the head.
Any Ear whose fold falls below the top of the head should be eliminated from the breeding program.
The ROSE EAR: You have to look close for these ears. Sometimes they are wrongly interpreted as "Tipped" Ears. I have to admit this example of this ear set in a RT came out of my kennel years ago. See how the ears both turn under themselves? The shape termed "rose ear" is the very Undesirable. The rose ear folds inward at its back lower edge, the upper front edge curving over, outward and backward, showing part of the inside of the ear called the " burr". This dog is a spayed pet, I have neutered this dogs father and placed him in a pet home so I personally will not perpetuate this ear shape in future generations. Look carefully for sometimes they are not as perfectly rose as this dog exhibits.
BAT EARS: These ears have been given their name in a reference to the round tips of a bats ears. The bat ear tends to be broad in the base with round top, some times set high on the head, sometimes set low to the side are carried erect with the orifice to the front. No round tipped ears dogs are apart of our verified histories. Ears like the one shown in this picture on the right should be eliminated from breeding programs.
THIN EARS: Historically (yet unoffically) the Chihuahua was added to the Rat to bring down size. Unfortunately a thin ear is required in the standards of the Chihuahua. The Chihuahuas ancestor's large ears served as heat transfer and shading devices. Using their ears as parasols during the day, elder Chihuahua's could take turns shading pups from the harsh desert sun. At night, the animals could cover their tiny brood with their ears to keep them warm. These ears can be seen in a lot for the toy RT's out there, only by selecting thicker eared specimens with proper shape will the thin ear disappear.
Ears Too Wide, Too Big
Ears too wide and set too far back on head
Puppy Ears: They go up and they go down as they grow. During a growth spurt they tend to be floppy, even the firm erect ears can come down for a few days. Feed your pup nutricous food. and WAIT! - that's the hard part- Look at your pups parents and grandpaents for possible ear sets. This dogs ears will probable be up when it is an adult. Sometimes ears will not "Set" until they are over a year old.
Don't you hate it when
your dog does this....
THe Flipped Back Ear!!!!!
I find it EAR-A-tating
" FLIP THAT SILLY THING BACK STANLEY!!!!"
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Toy Manchester Ears: the Toy Manchester has the closest erect ear set to the modern day rat terrier, however Manchester ears tend to be thin compared to the RT. 
