Course 10 · Ears · Lesson 6 of 12

How do you clean ears on a hairy-eared dog at an introductory level?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 6 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

Clean ears on a hairy eared dog at an introductory level by brushing and checking the hair around the ear, lifting the flap gently, and wiping only the visible outer ear, while leaving hair in the canal completely alone. Hairy ears have abundant hair on the flap, around the entrance and sometimes growing from the canal, which can trap wax, debris and moisture, and hide the skin underneath. Introductory care manages the hair you can see and brush, keeps the outer ear clean and dry, and refers canal hair, mats and any warning sign to a groomer or vet. It does not involve plucking, trimming or cutting canal hair, which needs professional judgement and hands-on teaching.

What does hairy ear coat look like, and why does it matter?

Hairy ears have long, dense or curly hair on the flap, feathering around the ear, and hair at the entrance that can grow inwards. That hair can hold wax and dirt against the skin, slow drying after bathing, and hide redness, sores or discharge until a problem is advanced. It can also mat at the base of the ear, where the flap rubs, and in the folds, where moisture collects. Brushing the hair regularly, so it lies naturally and does not mat, is therefore part of ear care, not just coat care. A hairy ear that is brushed, checked and dried regularly is easier to assess than a hairy ear that is only cleaned, because the skin is visible, the entrance is clear, and change is noticed early. Hair does not, on its own, mean an ear is unhealthy, but it does mean the ear needs more thorough checking.

How do you brush and check a hairy ear?

Brush the flap, the feathering and the hair around the entrance gently, with a brush and comb suited to the coat, working in the direction the hair naturally falls, and without pulling the ear. Comb through the hair at the base, where mats form, and check the skin underneath by parting the hair gently with your fingers, in good light. Lift the flap, look at the outer ear and entrance, smell from a normal distance, and feel for heat, swelling or tenderness, as Lesson 2 explains. Keep a separate note of which ear has more hair, more wax or more debris, because hairy ears often differ from side to side. If brushing reveals a mat, a sore, redness or discharge, stop brushing that area and seek advice, rather than brushing through pain or cleaning over a sore.

How do you clean the visible outer ear?

After the check has confirmed the ear is suitable to clean, wipe the visible outer ear, folds and entrance gently with a pad dampened with a suitable cleaner, using a fresh pad for each ear, and never inserting anything into the canal. Work around hair, rather than through it, wiping the skin you can see, and use a fresh pad if hair on the pad obscures the view. Dry the outer ear gently afterwards, and brush the hair back into its natural fall, so it does not sit damp and matted against the skin. Do not use a cleaner to soak the hair, do not pour cleaner into the entrance, and do not massage the base to work product in. If wax or debris is trapped in hair at the entrance and cannot be wiped away gently, leave it and ask a groomer or vet, because forcing it can push debris deeper or injure the canal entrance.

What should never be done to canal hair at home?

Never pull, pluck, trim or cut hair in the canal at home, and never use tweezers, forceps, scissors, trimmers or depilatory products to remove it. Plucking can cause pain, inflammation and infection, trimming can nick the canal lining, and any instrument in the canal can damage the eardrum. Hair in the canal should only be addressed where a vet has advised it for a specific dog, and then by a vet or a groomer working under veterinary guidance, with proper equipment, lighting and handling. At home, the boundary is clear: hair you can brush and see around the ear is home care, hair in the canal is professional care. If a groomer or vet advises that canal hair should be managed, ask them to demonstrate and to explain the plan, the risks and the follow up, rather than attempting it from text.

How do you manage drying and mats on a hairy ear?

Dry a hairy ear carefully after bathing or swimming, by towel drying the flap, the feathering and under the flap, lifting the flap briefly for air, and brushing the hair once it is dry, so it does not mat against damp skin. Check for mats after drying, because wet hair mats more easily, and brush out loose tangles only, leaving tight mats for a groomer. Keep the hair at the base of the ear brushed, and keep collars and harnesses clean and well fitted, because rubbing encourages mats. A hairy ear that is dried and brushed after water exposure, and checked weekly, is much easier to keep healthy than a hairy ear that is left damp and unbrushed, where mats and moisture hide problems.

What should a hairy ear check record?

Stop and get help: when is a hairy ear a professional job?

A hairy ear is a professional job when there is a strong smell, discharge, redness, swelling, pain, head shaking, scratching, a sore, a lump, a tight mat, or hair that is matted into the canal entrance. It is also a professional job when canal hair needs assessment, when the dog has repeated ear problems, or when the ear cannot be checked because hair, mats or pain prevent a clear view. Seek veterinary advice promptly for any warning sign, and seek groomer advice for brushing, trimming and mat management around the ear, with hands-on teaching before you attempt any trimming. Tell the professional about the hair, the history, and what the check found, so the plan suits the ear shape and coat. Introductory hairy ear care is observant, gentle and limited, and it hands over canal hair and problem ears promptly, which is the safest way to care for a hairy ear at home.

← Back to Ears