18/08/2026
Does your dog keep getting ear infections?
A large UK study of more than 900,000 dogs under veterinary care found that 7.3% of dogs, about 1 in 14, developed otitis externa (ear inflammation) in a single year, making it one of the most common conditions veterinarians treat.
Researchers discovered that breed and ear shape matter. Compared to dogs with upright, erect ears, dogs with pendulous ears had 1.76 times the odds of developing ear infections, and dogs with V-shaped drop ears had 1.84 times the odds. Some of the highest-risk breeds included:
🐾 Basset Hounds (nearly 6x the odds of crossbred dogs)🐾 Chinese Shar-Peis (over 3x the odds) 🐾 Labradoodles (almost 3x the odds) 🐾 Beagles (2.5x the odds) 🐾 Golden Retrievers (over 2x the odds)
Interestingly, some breeds actually showed lower odds of ear infections than crossbred dogs, including Chihuahuas, Border Collies, Yorkshire Terriers, and Jack Russell Terriers, a good reminder that ear shape and breed genetics really do shift risk in both directions.
The good news? Ear infections are often preventable with proactive care.
✔️ Check your dog’s ears weekly for redness, odor, discharge, or excessive wax. ✔️ Keep ears clean and dry, especially after swimming or bathing. ✔️ Address underlying allergies, because chronic inflammation often starts from the inside out. ✔️ Feed a fresh, anti-inflammatory diet and support a healthy gut microbiome, since allergies and ear disease frequently go hand in hand.
Remember, floppy ears don’t cause infections, but they can create a warm, humid environment where yeast and bacteria thrive. If your dog’s breed is on the higher-risk list, that’s not a guarantee of trouble; it’s just a sign to be a little more proactive with routine ear checks.
Healthy ears start with healthy skin, a balanced immune system, and good preventive care. Read my blog on tackling ear issues, link in comments 🐕
