English Setter Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

The English Setter has a reputation as the gentleman of the bird-dog world. Calm in the house, sweet with children and happy to lean against your knee, it can turn into a determined hunter the moment it hits open country. Owners love the look too: a white coat flecked with color, a soft expression and long, silky ears that sway as the dog moves. Those ears are beautiful, and they take a little work.

In this guide you will learn why Setter ears need regular attention, which signs suggest a problem, what commonly causes it, when your vet should take over and an easy routine for a mellow companion.

Why English Setter ears need extra care

English Setters were developed in Britain to search wide fields and brush for game birds, then freeze in a crouching "set" when they found them. Their build reflects that job, and several features affect the ears.

• Low-set, hanging ears. The ears attach at about eye level or a little below and hang close to the cheeks. The flap rests over the canal opening, so very little air reaches inside.
• Long, silky feathering. The ear leather carries a fringe of fine hair. It adds warmth and weight, and it soaks up rain, dew and pond water.
• A coat that picks things up. Fine feathering on the ears, chest and legs gathers burrs, seeds and twigs on any walk through cover.
• Fieldwork and long walks. Working and pet Setters alike love to range through meadows and hedgerows, where grass awns are common.
• Gundog and drop-ear status. UK primary-care data on ear inflammation has found gundogs and breeds with pendulous ears at higher odds than many other dogs. The English Setter is both.
• Skin sensitivities. Allergic skin is reported in the breed, and itchy ears are a frequent early sign.

About the belton coat

Setter owners use the word "belton" for the speckled pattern on a white background. It comes in blue (black flecks), orange, lemon, liver and tricolor. On a heavily speckled ear, redness or wax can blend in, so part the hair and look at the skin directly. On lighter orange or lemon beltons, brownish staining on the white ear hair can sometimes be the first hint of extra wax or discharge.

The coat on a Golden Retriever is thicker and more water-resistant, but the ear risks look similar: a feathered, hanging flap that stays damp. Many of the drying habits Golden owners use work just as well for a Setter.

For the heavier black-and-tan setter from Scotland, see our Gordon Setter ear guide.

Warning signs to watch

English Setters are mellow and tolerant, which is lovely in a family dog but means they may quietly put up with a sore ear. Look for:

• Head shaking that starts during or after a walk and keeps going
• Rubbing the side of the face on the carpet or the arm of the sofa
• Scratching at an ear with a back foot
• Brown, dark or greasy wax on the inner flap
• An unpleasant smell when you lift the ear
• Redness, heat or swelling inside the ear
• Seeds, burrs or tangles stuck near the base of the ear
• Seeming quieter or more withdrawn than usual

Usual culprits

Seeds and awns from cover. Barbed grass seeds catch in the feathering and can be carried down to the canal opening. Once inside, they need professional removal.

Dampness under the flap. Long, heavy ears trap moisture from wet grass, rain and swimming. A canal that stays warm and humid gives skin yeast and bacteria room to overgrow.

Allergies. Seasonal or food allergies can inflame the ear lining and set up repeat flare-ups.

Mats and tangles. Knots at the base of the ear hold dirt and moisture against the skin.

Ear mites. More likely in puppies or dogs from multi-dog homes. A vet can confirm them under the microscope; see our guide to ear mites in dogs for more background.

English Setters can also be affected by inherited deafness, so if your dog seems not to hear you, raise it with your vet rather than assuming it is wax.

When to see your vet

Routine cleaning suits ears that look and smell normal. An ear that hurts or drains needs an exam first. Call your vet if you notice:

• Pain: your Setter yelps, flinches or will not let you touch the ear
• Head tilt, loss of balance, circling or unusual eye movements
• Bleeding, or a swollen, puffy ear flap (this can be a blood blister called an aural hematoma)
• A bad smell together with discharge
• Redness or swelling that is getting worse
• Symptoms that have not improved after a few days, or keep coming back

Please avoid hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, vinegar and homemade oil drops, which can irritate the canal and are risky if the eardrum is damaged. Cotton swabs should never go into the canal.

An easy routine for a gentle Setter

Most healthy English Setters do well with a hands-on check after each walk through long grass and a full ear clean about once a week. Clean after swimming as well. Your vet may set a different schedule if there is a history of problems.

Because the breed is so laid-back, many Setters will lie on their side on a blanket for ear care. Pick a quiet moment, such as after dinner.

1. Comb the fringe. Work a wide-tooth comb through the ear feathering from base to tip and remove anything caught in it.
2. Lift and look. Fold the ear back and inspect the canal opening. Stop and call your vet if you see redness, swelling or discharge, or smell something strong.
3. Fill the canal. Hold the ear up and fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner.
4. Massage the base. Rub gently for 60 to 90 seconds.
5. Let your dog shake. Hold a towel up so the spray does not hit you.
6. Wipe the flap and opening. Use cotton or gauze only where you can see.
7. Dry the feathering. Blot the fringe with a towel so it is not left wet.

Grooming note: Many owners have a groomer thin the hair on the underside of the ear and around the ear base. That lightens the flap and lets air in. Leave hair inside the canal to your vet.

About EcoEars: EcoEars is a botanical dog ear cleaner with no antibiotics or steroids, made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility. As directed on the label, fill the ear canal, massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds, let your dog shake, and wipe away loosened debris. Use it twice daily for 10 days in a row, then weekly or as needed. It is for dogs 12 weeks and older and for dogs only, since it contains tea tree oil.

Not convinced a weekly habit is worth it? Read our 5 reasons to regularly clean your dog's ears.

English Setter ear FAQ

Do show-type and field-type English Setters need different ear care?

The routine is the same. Show-line Setters often carry heavier feathering, so combing and drying take a little longer. Field-line dogs may meet more seeds and burrs, so post-walk checks matter more.

My Setter's ear hair is stained brown. What does that mean?

Staining on white ear hair can come from saliva, licking or extra wax. If it appears with odor, scratching or discharge, have your vet look inside the ear.

Should I shave my Setter's ears to keep them dry?

Shaving is rarely needed. Thinning the underside of the feathering is usually enough. Talk with your groomer and your vet before removing much hair.

My Setter does not respond when I call. Could it be ear wax?

Wax rarely causes noticeable hearing loss on its own. Since the breed can be affected by inherited deafness, ask your vet to check.