Should You Pluck a Dog’s Ear Hair? Here’s Why We Stopped
Ear hair plucking is one of the most debated topics in professional dog grooming. If your dog is a Poodle, Schnauzer, or another breed that grows hair inside the ear canal, you’ve probably heard a groomer or vet mention it — but the recommended approach has changed.
For years, plucking ear hair was standard practice. Groomers and veterinarians believed removing it improved airflow and helped prevent ear infections. Newer research tells a different story, and at Gordon’s Grooming, we’ve changed how we handle ear hair as a result.
Why Groomers Used to Pluck Ear Hair
Breeds that grow hair inside the ear canal — Poodles, Schnauzers, and several terrier breeds among them — were routinely plucked because the hair was thought to trap moisture and restrict air circulation, creating conditions for infection. Plucking was simply the accepted fix.
What We Know Now About Ear Hair Plucking and Infections
Pulling hair out of the ear canal can cause microscopic tears in the delicate tissue lining it. If bacteria are already present, those tiny injuries give infection an easy way in. A growing number of veterinarians no longer recommend routine ear plucking for every dog that grows hair in the canal — the practice that was supposed to prevent infections may actually have been causing some of them.
Why Gordon’s Grooming Trims Instead of Plucks
We made this call for two reasons.
1. Plucking hurts. Watch a dog get its ears plucked and you’ll see the truth of it — most dogs fight, wiggle, and try to pull away. Some cry out or try to bite. As a pet owner, you want your dog to look forward to the groomer, not dread it.
If you or your veterinarian still want a dog’s ear hair fully removed, we recommend having your veterinarian do it, since they’re equipped to manage any bleeding or irritation on the spot.
2. The “ear infection after grooming” calls stopped. Since we switched from plucking to trimming, we haven’t gotten a single call about a dog developing an ear infection right after a grooming appointment — the kind of call that used to get chalked up to “water in the ears.” Water was rarely the real cause. Pulling hair out of the canal was.
Ear Hair Serves a Purpose
Hair inside the ear canal isn’t just there — it helps block debris from getting in. It shows up most in breeds bred for digging and burrowing, like terriers, where dirt and debris are a constant hazard. Removing that natural barrier entirely can do more harm than good.
Our Approach: Trim, Don’t Pluck
At Gordon’s Grooming, we trim the hair in the ear canal instead of pulling it out. It keeps airflow open, avoids unnecessary pain, and doesn’t strip away the ear’s natural debris barrier.
FAQ
Does my dog’s ear hair need to be removed? Not routinely. Trimming keeps airflow open without the tissue damage that plucking can cause. Full removal is rarely necessary unless a vet identifies a specific medical reason.
Can plucking ear hair cause an ear infection? Yes — the microscopic tears left behind by plucking give bacteria an entry point, which is a well-documented cause of post-grooming ear infections.
Which breeds grow hair in the ear canal? Poodles, Schnauzers, and many terrier breeds are the most common examples.
Should I ask my groomer to pluck my dog’s ears? We’d recommend against it. If you or your vet feel it’s necessary for a specific health reason, have your veterinarian perform it rather than your groomer.
