Ear hair - to pluck or not to pluck?

Ear plucking is very controversial in the grooming industry. Breeds such as poodles/doodles, schnauzers, and shih-tzus are more likely to have hair in their ear canal.

Why should you pluck? Well, some vets, groomers, and owners believe that the hair should be plucked to prevent ear infections. The idea is that if there is hair in the ear canal, then that hair is blocking air flow therefore creating the ideal environment for bacterial/fungal infection. It is usually a groomer who plucks ear hair. It is done primarily before the bath because depending on how much ear hair there is, it is quite messy. To pluck ears, the groomer will use ear powder and their fingers or hemostats. The ear powder helps to dry up excess wax and allows a better grip. Some groomers prefer hemostats to grip and pull the hair, I personally use my fingers because I feel like I have more control. It was believed that ear plucking does not hurt the dog, however, this greatly depends on how much ear hair is being plucked. Some circumstances require you to pluck ear hair. Personally, the only time I pluck ears is when the owner or vet specifically asks for it or when there is so much ear hair that it has become matted and clippers cannot safely get it out.

Before - unable to see the ear canal due to matted hair

After - able to see into the ear

Matted ear hair plucked from ears

Why should you NOT pluck? There are recent studies showing that ear plucking actually causes ear infections. When you pluck the ear hair, it can cause micro-tears from where the hair was plucked. Any break in the skin (no matter how small) can lead to infection because the body has millions, if not billions of bacteria living on the body at all times. What some groomers will do instead; they will shave around the ear canal and shave what ear hair they can reach with their clippers. Some groomers don't want the liability of owners accusing them of giving their dogs an ear infection, so if the ear hair needs to be removed, they refer them to a vet.

So, as you can see, this is not a black-and-white topic. Every dog is different, so it's always best to consult with your vet and your groomer to determine what is best for YOUR dog.