Hair in the ears

[Doodle Grooming]

I lifted Bailey's ear yesterday and she has long hair coming out of her ears. It was a bit waxy and I used the ear cleaner. I usually have the groomer clip around her ears and inside, but he must have forgot when he groomed her.

I saw that some people pull the hair out! Isn't that painful? OUCH!!!

Is it just ok the clip?

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

The main thing is that there needs to be air in and around the ears to maintain ear health. Some doodles have very little hair and may not need plucking. Most doodles need the ear hair pulled. It is not painful unless the ear is already infected. The hairs are not solidly attached. You grab a few, twist to loosen them and pull. You need ear powder for this. It works the same as the resin that gymnests use to keep their hands from slipping.

If you asked the groomer to attend to the dogs ears, and they forgot, you should really call them and arrange to take the dog back for that.

[Stacey]

I asked my vet about ear hair. ( my breeder made it sound like it was a mandatory maintenance item )'She said that people are split on if ear hair should be pulled if a dog is not having any issues. My dog is 18 weeks and his ear hair is not bad yet. But I am not sure I want to pull it if it is not necessary. I put cleaner In his ears but it seems so painful to pull the hair out, I do not know if I should if he does not have ear problem.

My vet has a standard poodle a week older than my dog. She does not plan on pulling the har in her dogs ears.

It would be interesting to know how many people around here pull the hair and if anyone just leaves it alone.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I started pulling Riley's ear hair out when he was about 12 weeks old and I do it regularly every month or so. It does NOT hurt him, maybe a little uncomfortable but not painful in the least.  The hairs just lift out, they seem not to be attached in the same way as other hair.  I use ear powder and twist the hair, it just lifts away.  I also clip the hair quite short under the ear flaps and keep the whole are pretty tidy.  So far, no ear problems to report!

[Eric & Rufus]

FWIW, while researching the topic I came across the differing opinions as well. One of the reasons given was that plucking the hair leaves open follicles that are easily infected. My own (limited) experience was the same. The only ear infection Rufus has ever had occurred the day after he had been at the groomer and had his ears plucked.

That being said, I think the theory of plucking the ear hair to create more air flow makes sense. I may just end up trimming it back with scissors.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I never pull the doodles ear a hair out. They have a little and I keep the hair near the opening trimmed. They do fine with cleaning every 2-3 weeks.

[bmdoodle]

I have two doodles and my oldest golden doodle Bella does not really have a lot of hair in her ears so I trim with scissors. My other dog Mia is a labradoodle and has lots of hair in her ears so the groomer was plucking her ears and a few days later her ears would be infected. We stopped having her ears plucked the last two grooming appt.  and have had no problems since. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I wonder if the infections are caused by the hands of the groomers not being cleaned before plucking the ear hair out.  I always wash my hands before I do that job.

[Eric & Rufus]

I'm sure dirty groomers' hand could contribute to it, but there is plenty of bacteria already in the ear naturally. I really think it has to do with the fact that plucking the hair effects the integrity of the skin. It's no different than a cut, only to a lesser degree. If the skin is not intact, and it's not after hair is plucked, then it is susceptible to infection. I'm sure I can't be the only one that has gotten a "blemish" around my eyebrows after plucking a few strays. And this is probably TMI, but take my advice and don't ever pluck a nose hair!

I think the question has to be, does the risk of infection from an exposed follicle outweigh the risk of infection from having the airflow in the ear canal blocked?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Perhaps dogs differ so the answer maybe either depending on the dog?  In my case air flows wins over exposed follicles : )

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

My completely unprofessional opinion on this is sort of like I approach many other things in life.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I have one Doodle with some hair in the ears and another with very little.  I will occasionally trim Lucy's a little shorter in there but I have not had ear infections really with either one so I just leave it alone.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I agree with this and this is exactly how I handle Fudge and Vern!!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

both times I had the vet pluck Bens ears he got an ear infection after.  He hasnt had one since so I've been plucking them a little at a time every day.  It seems to hurt him because he has so much fluffy hair inside.  Zoes comes right out and doesnt have too many.  I have never heard of the powder, perhaps I will try the powder and twisting.  

Can anyone explain to me about keeping the hairs short under the "flap"?  would that be the fur on their ear or their face?