The Dark, Damp Cave

Labradoodles have the perfect anatomy for ear infections: long, heavy flaps that trap moisture, and a canal often filled with hair. This creates a warm, dark, damp incubator for yeast and bacteria.

The Plucking Debate

For years, the standard advice was to pluck all the hair out of the ear canal. New veterinary dermatology consensus is shifting.

The Old School: Pluck everything to increase airflow. The New School: Plucking causes micro-trauma and inflammation, which actually invites infection.

Current Recommendation: Only pluck if necessary. If the hair is so thick it forms a plug, remove the center bulk gently. If the ear is healthy, leave it alone. Never pluck an inflamed ear—it hurts!

Routine Maintenance

1. The Smell Test

Sniff your dog’s ears weekly. A healthy ear smells like nothing or slightly waxy. A yeast infection smells like corn chips or old bread. A bacterial infection smells rotten.

2. Cleaning Protocol

Clean the ears after baths or swimming, not just on a schedule. Water in the ear is the enemy.

1. Fill the canal with a high-quality drying cleaner.
2. Massage the base of the ear (listen for the squish).
3. Let the dog shake.
4. Wipe the visible parts with a cotton ball. Never put Q-tips deep in the canal.

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If your dog is scratching their ears, shaking their head, or holding it to one side, do not wait. Ear infections are painful and can lead to permanent hearing loss if the eardrum ruptures.