The size, shape, placement, and use of the ears have important bearing on the Scottish Terrier's expression but they also are perfectly designed for a working terrier. Watch a Scottie out in the rain, and you will notice that he can fold the two edges of his ear together and then bend them back, forming a double fold. This keeps out not only rain, but dirt as well, which is useful to a dog who digs for a living. Such ears also present a minimal target for injury when the dog is locked in combat with his quarry. Viewed from the front, the ears should be small, erect, and V-shaped. The outer edge of the ear, however, should extend straight upward, perpendicular to the top line of the skull. The lobe should extend outward as little as possible. Ideally, it should be possible to place a hand flat against a Scottie's cheek and run straight up the outer edge of the ear. From the side, the ears should be placed well back on the skull, the base extending slightly behind the occiput. The front edge of the ear should form an angle just slightly greater than 90 degrees with the top line of the skull. Ears set too far forward on the skull, too wide apart, or too close together detract from the desired expression and impression of sharpness. The most common fault of ears is that they are too large, followed by low set ears. Other common faults are ears too wide at the base and ears with rounded tips. Less common faults include ears too tall and ears set so close together that the inner edge becomes the perpendicular edge. Although it is rare, ears can be too small, making it impossible for the dog to fold them tightly when necessary. Scottie ears are mobile and expressive. Most will fold their ears back slightly when moving and nearly all will do likewise when spoken to in a playful manner. The ears should immediately stand stiffly erect, however, when something attracts the dog's attention. The hair on the back of the ears should be short and soft in texture. The drawings below demonstrate perfect ears when erect and when folded back.
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