Old English Sheepdog Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Under all that shaggy gray-and-white hair, an Old English Sheepdog has two small ears you may rarely see. The famous coat that tumbles over the eyes also blankets the sides of the head, so a lot can go on beneath it without anyone noticing. For the breed's clownish, affectionate dogs, ear care is really a grooming job.

This guide explains why OES ears are hard to keep fresh, the signs to look for under the coat, common causes, when to see the vet and an ear routine that fits around brushing and clipping.

Why Old English Sheepdog ears are easy to neglect

The Old English Sheepdog was developed in England to drive cattle and sheep to market. Its coat protected it in all weather, and that coat is the main reason the ears need attention today.

• Small drop ears hidden under hair. OES ears are modest in size and lie flat against the head. Long hair covers them completely, which keeps the canal warm and dark.
• Hair in the ear canal. Like several long-coated breeds, many Sheepdogs grow hair inside the canal. It can hold wax and moisture deeper in the ear.
• A profuse double coat. A dense undercoat and shaggy outer coat mat easily, and mats behind and below the ears hold dampness and dirt against the skin.
• Slow drying. After a bath or a wet walk, the hair around the head can stay damp for a long time.
• Allergies. Skin allergies in any breed can cause itchy, inflamed ears, and a thick coat makes the early redness harder to spot.

Compare this with similar coats. Our Tibetan Terrier ear guide covers a smaller dog with long hair and heavier ear feathering, and the Collie page looks at a fellow herder with semi-erect ears that get much more air. The OES combines a large frame, fully covered drop ears and one of the heaviest grooming loads in the dog world. If you share your home with the OES-Poodle cross, see our Sheepadoodle ear guide.

Signs of ear trouble in an Old English Sheepdog

You will rarely see a problem at a glance. Part the hair and use your nose. Look for:

• Head shaking, or the shaggy head tossing more than usual
• Pawing at the side of the face or scratching behind an ear
• A sour or yeasty smell when you lift the hair around the ear
• Brown or yellow wax on the hair near the canal opening
• Damp, sticky or discolored hair at the base of the ear
• Red or warm skin on the inner flap
• Tilting the head, or sensitivity when you brush near the ears

What usually causes OES ear problems

Trapped moisture. Water from baths, rain and drinking bowls soaks into the hair around the ears and stays there.

Canal hair holding wax. Hair in the canal can catch wax and debris and limit airflow. Whether to remove it is a decision for your vet or groomer, based on the ear's condition. Do not pluck at home without guidance.

Mats. Tangles near the ears pull on the skin and trap dirt and dampness.

Allergies. Environmental and food allergies inflame the skin of the ear canal and often explain repeat problems.

Yeast and bacteria. These live on all dogs' skin and can overgrow in a warm, damp, irritated canal. Your vet can confirm what is present with a swab.

Debris from the yard. Burrs and seeds catch easily in a long coat and can work toward the ears.

When to see your vet

Do not try to clean your way through an ear that looks sore. A vet should examine it first. Call if you notice:

• Pain: your Sheepdog 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

Skip vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and homemade oil remedies, which can irritate an inflamed canal. Cotton swabs should never go into the ear.

Building ear care into OES grooming

Whether you keep a full show coat or a short puppy clip, tie ear care to your brushing schedule. Many full-coated Sheepdogs need brushing several times a week; check the ears each time, and clean them about once a week or after baths and wet weather. A dog in a short clip is easier to manage but still needs regular checks. For more on why routine cleaning matters, see our 5 reasons to regularly clean your dog's ears.

1. Line-brush around the head. Work through the hair in layers from the skin outward, paying special attention behind and below the ears.
2. Clip the hair back. Use a soft hair clip or your hand to hold the long head hair out of the way so you can see the ear.
3. Lift and inspect. Raise the ear flap and look at the opening. If it is red, swollen or has discharge, stop and contact your vet.
4. Fill the canal. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner.
5. Massage the base. Rub gently at the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
6. Let your dog shake. Stand back while your Sheepdog shakes its head.
7. Wipe and dry. Wipe the inner flap and opening with cotton or gauze, then dry the hair around the ear with a towel or a cool dryer setting.

Grooming tip: Ask your groomer to keep the hair on the underside of the ear flap and around the opening trimmed short. Better airflow helps, even if the rest of the coat stays long.

Puppy clip owners: A short trim makes the ears easier to reach, but hair grows back quickly around the head, so keep up the checks.

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.

Old English Sheepdog ear FAQ

Should the hair inside my Sheepdog's ear canal be plucked?

It depends on the dog. Some ears do better with canal hair removed, others do not. Your vet or groomer can decide based on how the ear looks.

Does a puppy clip help with ear problems?

A shorter coat lets the ears dry faster and makes checks easier. It does not replace regular cleaning or a vet visit if problems keep returning.

Why does the hair around my OES's ears turn brown?

Wax and discharge from the canal can stain light hair. If the staining is new, spreading or comes with odor, have your vet check the ear.

How do I dry my Sheepdog's ears after a bath?

Squeeze water from the head hair with a towel, then use a dryer on a cool setting while lifting the ear flaps. Clean the ears once the coat is dry.