Breeds Prone to Ear Infections
Ear infections (otitis) are one of the most common veterinary complaints, particularly in breeds with long, floppy ears, narrow ear canals, or excessive ear hair. Infections can involve bacteria, yeast, or ear mites and may become chronic without proper treatment.
Symptoms
Head shaking, ear scratching, red or swollen ear canal, dark or yellowish discharge, foul odor from the ears, pain when the ears are touched, and tilting the head to one side.
Prevention & Management
Regular ear cleaning with veterinarian-approved solutions, drying ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing, plucking excess ear hair when recommended, and treating allergies that predispose to infections.
30 Breeds Prone to Ear Infections
29 dog breeds and 1 cat breed
American English Coonhound
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Bloat
American Foxhound
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Thrombocytopathy
Barbet
Dog · Medium · France
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Eye Conditions, Epilepsy
Basset Hound
Dog · Medium · France
Health risks: Ear Infections, Obesity, Bloat, Eye Conditions
Black and Tan Coonhound
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Bloat, Eye Conditions
Black Mouth Cur
Dog · Medium-Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Eye Conditions
Bloodhound
Dog · Large · Belgium/France
Health risks: Bloat, Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Eye Conditions
Bluetick Coonhound
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Ear Infections, Cataracts
Bracco Italiano
Dog · Large · Italy
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Ear Infections, Eye Conditions
Cavachon
Dog · Small · United States
Health risks: Heart Disease, Eye Conditions, Luxating Patella, Ear Infections
Chantilly-Tiffany
Cat · Medium · United States
Health risks: Ear Infections, Digestive Issues
Cockapoo
Dog · Small-Medium · United States
Health risks: Luxating Patella, Eye Conditions, Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections
Cocker Spaniel
Dog · Medium · England/USA
Health risks: Ear Infections, Eye Conditions, Hip Dysplasia, Autoimmune Diseases
Coonhound
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Bloat
English Cocker Spaniel
Dog · Medium · England
Health risks: Ear Infections, Eye Conditions, Hip Dysplasia, Kidney Disease
English Springer Spaniel
Dog · Medium · England
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Ear Infections, Phosphofructokinase Deficiency
Field Spaniel
Dog · Medium · England
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Ear Infections, Hypothyroidism
German Longhaired Pointer
Dog · Large · Germany
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Eye Conditions
Goldador
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Obesity, Ear Infections
Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
Dog · Medium · France
Health risks: Eye Conditions, Epilepsy, Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections
Harrier
Dog · Medium · England
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Ear Infections
Irish Water Spaniel
Dog · Large · Ireland
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Hypothyroidism, Ear Infections
Komondor
Dog · Giant · Hungary
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Eye Conditions, Ear Infections
Picardy Spaniel
Dog · Large · France
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Generally healthy
Plott Hound
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Ear Infections
Redbone Coonhound
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Eye Conditions
Segugio Italiano
Dog · Medium · Italy
Health risks: Ear Infections, Hip Dysplasia, Generally healthy
Springador
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Ear Infections, Obesity
Transylvanian Hound
Dog · Medium-Large · Hungary/Romania
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Generally healthy
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Eye Conditions