Ear Care for Standard Poodles

A standard poodle is a medium-sized breed of dog typically trained for performing or sporting. Characterized by a heavy, curly solid-colored coat, this intelligent breed of dog typically displays a good nature and a cheerful disposition. Regular ear care is important for a standard poodle as the warm, moist, long and downward pointed ear makes the dog more susceptible to infections.

  1. Weekly Examination

    • One important part of regular ear care for a standard poodle is a weekly examination for signs of an ear infection. During the examination, check for any bad odors, dark spots, debris or dirt in the ear. Any trace of a brown substance in the ear is a sign of a possible foreign body or infection. Another sign of an ear infection is a continual shaking of the head by the poodle and crying during head shaking.

    Plucking

    • Plucking is a practice in which a person removes the hair in the ear canal of a poodle. The purpose of plucking is to clear the ear canal and reduce the risk of the poodle developing an ear infection. When plucking, a person should use an ear powder designed to reduce any pain and aid hair removal. It is best to pluck in a well-lit area, remove small sections of hair at a time and avoid pinching the skin in the ear canal. The decision to pluck is individual, as some veterinarians recommend plucking and some do not.

    Cleaning

    • An essential part of ear care for standard poodles is the cleaning of the ear canal. To clean the ear canal, pour an ear cleaner into the outer ear and massage the ear, allowing the cleaner to seep into the ear canal. Take a cotton ball and swab the outer canal to clear any excess ear cleaner. This cleaning routine is effective when conducted weekly.

    Treating Infections

    • In the case that a poodle develops an ear infection, there are several different treatments. Typically, mild infections present wet and smelly ears combined with discharge. These infections are generally treatable at home with over-the-counter products. For ear infections that are persistent or become worse, seek medical attention from a veterinarian immediately.