Gordon Setter Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Gordon Setter people tend to describe their dogs the same way: devoted, a bit of a clown, slow to grow up and firmly attached to one favorite human. The breed comes from Scotland, where it was prized for stamina on the moors, and it is the heaviest and most solidly built of the setters. Its glossy black-and-tan coat and long, feathered ears give it a regal look. Keeping those ears healthy is a standing job for any Gordon household.

Read on for what makes Gordon ears high-maintenance, the early signals of trouble, the most likely causes, when to bring in your vet and a routine for a strong, sometimes stubborn dog.

The Gordon's ear risks

Gordons were bred to hunt grouse and other birds across rough Scottish ground, working steadily rather than at a sprint. Their bodies are deep-chested and well-boned, and the ears match: long, thin in the leather and set low on the head.

Three features of that ear stand out. First, the flap hangs in a fold close to the cheek, so the canal opening stays covered and air hardly moves. Second, the ear wears a heavy curtain of silky black feathering that holds moisture and anything the dog walks through. Third, black hair absorbs warmth in the sun, which can leave the area under the flap warmer than you might expect after a summer outing.

Lifestyle adds to the picture. Gordons love long hikes through brush and wet heather, and many will wade or swim when they find water. In UK practice records, gundogs and dogs with long hanging ears have shown higher odds of ear inflammation than many other breed groups, and the Gordon belongs to both. Allergies can also play a part, as in most sporting breeds.

How a Gordon differs from an Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is lighter, racier and famously exuberant, with a solid mahogany coat. A Gordon is heavier and steadier, with denser black-and-tan feathering that can be thicker on the ears. In practice that means a Gordon's ears may take longer to dry and hide debris better against the dark hair. Gordons also mature slowly and can be strong-willed, so training them to accept ear handling early pays off for years. The English Setter sits between the two: lighter than a Gordon, with a speckled belton coat and long, silky ear feathering.

Signs of trouble in a Gordon

A loyal Gordon may hide discomfort from strangers but show it to its favorite person. Notice changes like these:

• Shaking the head hard enough to make the ears slap
• Pressing one side of the head into your lap or the floor
• Scratching behind an ear, then sniffing or licking the paw
• Black or brown waxy debris at the canal opening
• A sour, fermented smell from under the flap
• Red, swollen or hot skin inside the ear
• Sticky, clumped feathering near the base of the ear
• Growling or turning away when you reach for the head, which is unusual for most Gordons

On a dark-coated ear, discharge can be hard to see. Wipe the inner flap with a white cotton pad and look at what comes away. Our article on what ear discharge color and texture mean can help you describe it to your vet.

Likely causes

• Trapped moisture. Wet heather, rain, dew and swimming all leave water under a long, heavy flap. Warm, damp skin is where yeast and bacteria that normally live there tend to overgrow.
• Allergies. Pollen, grasses and some foods can make the ear lining itchy and inflamed. Repeat episodes at the same time each year are a common pattern.
• Burrs, stickers and seeds. Dense black feathering hides plant material well. Grass awns that reach the canal need your vet to remove them.
• Matting. Tangles at the ear base hold dirt and dampness against the skin and pull on it when the dog shakes.
• Wax collecting in the folds. With so little airflow, wax can build up quickly on the inner flap.
• Thyroid issues. Gordons are among the breeds in which an underactive thyroid is reported. It can affect skin and coat, so mention ongoing ear or skin problems to your vet.

When to see your vet

Use home cleaning only on ears that look and smell normal. If an ear is sore or draining, the vet comes first. Call your vet if you notice:

• Pain: your Gordon 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

Hard, energetic head shaking with heavy ears is a classic setup for an aural hematoma, so do not wait if a flap suddenly looks puffy. Also avoid peroxide, vinegar, alcohol and homemade oil remedies, and keep cotton swabs out of the canal.

Ear routine for a sturdy Gordon

A healthy Gordon usually does well with a full ear clean once a week, plus a quick feel through the feathering after every walk in long grass and a towel-dry after any swim. If your dog has had ear trouble, your vet's schedule takes priority.

Start handling ears in puppyhood and keep it calm and predictable. An adult Gordon is strong, and a dog that has learned ear care is a pleasant routine will be far easier to manage.

1. Pick a set spot. The same mat or step every week tells your Gordon what is coming.
2. Work through the feathering. Use your fingers, then a comb, to find seeds, burrs and mats. Tease tangles apart gently rather than pulling.
3. Examine the canal. Lift the flap and look closely in good light. Redness, swelling, discharge or a strong odor means stop and call your vet.
4. Fill and massage. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner, then massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
5. Let it shake. Expect a big shake from a heavy-eared dog.
6. Wipe with white pads. Clean the inner flap and opening only, and check the pads for color.
7. Dry and reward. Blot the feathering and finish with praise from your Gordon's favorite person.

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.

Gordon Setter ear FAQ

My Gordon only lets me touch its ears. Is that a problem?

Not for home care, but vet visits go better if your dog accepts gentle handling from others. Practice short, rewarded ear checks with family members and friends.

How much should the ear feathering be thinned?

A groomer can thin the underside and the area around the ear opening so air gets in, while leaving the outside full. Leave hair inside the canal to your vet.

Are Gordon puppies prone to ear issues?

Puppies can pick up ear mites and get dirty ears like any young dog. Start gentle checks early, and let your vet examine any puppy that scratches its ears a lot.

Why do my Gordon's ears seem worse in summer?

Heat, humidity, swimming and pollen all peak in warmer months. If flare-ups follow the seasons, ask your vet whether allergies could be involved.