Plucking ear hair?

[Laura & Chewie]

I was talking to a local groomer recommended by a neighbor and she said Chewie would need all the hair plucked out of his ears as it is an infection waiting to happen...he's 4 months. She said obviously it is uncomfortable...like the first time you pluck your eyebrows, but over time it gets easier.

I really want to hear info/opinions/other options on this as it sounds kind of cruel to me, but I really know nothing about it.

Thanks!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Our standard poodle always had hair problems in his ears so I decided early to take care of the ear hair on my doodles. I think the smaller the dog, the more prone they are to ear infections. Also, cotton balls in the ears when you bathe the dog keep water out of the ears. When we are doing the face and feet for our doodles, we also shave the belly area and the insides of the ear flaps. What is still left sticking out of the inside area of the ear we just pull quickly with our fingers. Since our dogs have had grooming experience since they were puppies, it is no problem for them. They have never had ear infections, so maybe the ear plucking helps.

[Mr. Frodo]

My mom is a certified Groomer and it is standard practice to pluck ear hair from "groomable" dogs (i.e poodles, Poodle mixes, Bichon etc).

My ear hair is not too abundant but my mom still plucks mine - about once a month or so.
There is a powder you can buy that helps you "grip" the hair - Bio Groom Ear fresh Ear powder is one brand. Or you can use a kleenex to help grab the hairs (the wax sometimes makes it slippery).

My Grandma has a standard poodle and did not pluck her ears (despite my moms suggestion) and then her Poodle got a really bad ear infection and the poor girl had to go to the vet to have the hair removed :-(... Now she gets frequent ear infections in one ear.

The hair itself does not cause the infection but it allows water and dirt to grow bacteria - yuck!

I am not crazy about the plucking but it does not hurt.

Mom suggests you start off by doing little bits at a time (the ear can get sore and irritated if you pluck all the hair on the first try). Also make sure you clear the ear with a ear cleaner and cotton cloth, or alternatively you can use vinegar.

If you have any questions feel free to ask :-)

Lick & Wags
MF

[Bruce Brown]

No experience (yet, waiting till August), but with our previous Maltese and Giant Schnauzer family members that was for sure part of the maintenance protocol. And the in-the-ear hair comes out pretty easily, so it's not a big deal for the dog. Don't make it one by being anxious about it and the dog likely won't mind a bit.
That's my best guess anyway.