Portuguese Water Dog Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

The Portuguese Water Dog was bred to work alongside fishermen, diving for lost nets and swimming messages between boats. Today's "Portie" may never see a fishing boat, but the love of water is still there, along with a dense, curly coat and drop ears that grow plenty of hair. That combination is exactly why ear care deserves a regular slot in a PWD's grooming routine.

In this guide you will find what makes Portie ears prone to problems, signs to look for, the typical triggers, when your vet should take over, and a cleaning routine for a dog that spends a lot of time wet.

What makes PWD ears prone to problems

A working water dog's ears have to deal with conditions most companion breeds never face. Several breed traits add up:

• Hairy drop ears. The PWD's ears are heart-shaped, set high and hang close to the head. The coat on the flaps is thick and often long, which adds weight and blocks air from reaching the canal.
• Hair inside the canal. Like Poodles, Porties have a low-shedding coat that keeps growing, including inside the ear canal. Loose hair, wax and water can tangle together at the opening.
• Constant swimming. This is the breed's whole history. A PWD that swims often has a canal that is damp more often than not.
• Curly or wavy coat types. The breed has two coat varieties. Both hold water, and both need regular clipping. A damp, matted coat around the base of the ear holds moisture against the skin.
• Allergies. Porties can develop environmental or food allergies, and itchy, inflamed ears are a frequent sign.

The two traditional clips also play a role. In the lion clip, the face and hindquarters are shaved, but the ears often keep long hair. The retriever clip leaves the coat shorter and more even, which some owners find easier to keep dry. Poodles share the canal-hair issue; our Poodle ear guide goes into it further.

Signs a Portie's ears need a closer look

All that hair can hide problems. Look under the flap regularly, and watch for:

• Shaking the head long after the coat has dried
• Pawing at an ear or rubbing the face along the ground after a swim
• Tangled, damp or matted hair right at the canal opening
• Reddened skin on the underside of the flap
• Brown, yellow or greasy wax caught in the ear hair
• A musty or sour smell that does not go away after a bath
• Holding one ear lower than the other, or a slight head tilt

Hairy ears tend to collect a surprising amount of debris. It can help to look at the hair you remove with a cotton ball: lots of dark or sticky material is a reason to check in with your vet.

Common triggers in Portuguese Water Dogs

Water left behind. Lakes, oceans, pools and bath time all leave the canal wet. Under a heavy, hairy flap, it can stay that way for hours.

Hair and wax buildup. Canal hair acts like a net for wax. Over time a plug can form that holds moisture inside.

Allergies. Seasonal flare-ups suggest pollen or grasses. Year-round problems may point to food. Your vet can guide testing or a food trial.

Grooming irritation. Clipping close to the ear, powders, or removal of canal hair can leave the skin sore for a day or two.

Foreign material. Seaweed, sand and grass seeds can catch in the long ear hair after a beach day or a hike.

When to see your vet

Routine cleaning is for healthy ears. If something looks infected, your vet will want to examine the canal and eardrum and usually test a sample before deciding on medication. Schedule a visit if you notice:

• Pain: your Portie 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

Avoid vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and homemade oil mixtures. These can irritate the canal and may be harmful if the eardrum is damaged. Never use cotton swabs inside the ear.

Ear care for a dog that lives in the water

A healthy PWD usually needs a weekly ear clean, plus one after every swim or bath. During swimming season that can mean several cleans a week; if the ears start to look pink or dry, ask your vet about the right frequency.

About canal hair: Whether to pluck the hair inside a Portie's ears is a decision for your vet or an experienced groomer working with your vet's guidance. Some dogs do better with it removed; for others, plucking causes irritation. Do not pull canal hair at home.

1. Towel-dry the head. After swimming, dry the ears and the coat around them as well as you can.
2. Look before you clean. Part the hair, lift the flap and check for redness, swelling, discharge or odor. If you see any, call your vet instead of cleaning.
3. Fill the canal. Lift the flap and fill the ear canal with dog ear cleaner.
4. Massage the base. Rub the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds so the liquid works through the hair and loosens wax.
5. Step back for the shake. Porties shake with enthusiasm, so stand clear.
6. Wipe the opening. Use cotton or gauze on the inner flap and visible canal only. Do not dig into the ear.
7. Finish drying. A few minutes with a towel or a cool dryer setting keeps the curls around the ear from staying damp.

Ask your groomer to keep the hair on the underside of the flap trimmed short between full clips. Better airflow means a drier ear.

About EcoEars: EcoEars is a botanical dog ear cleaner with no antibiotics or steroids, made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility. Following 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.

Wondering whether the effort pays off? Here are 5 reasons to regularly clean your dog's ears.

Portuguese Water Dog ear FAQ

Does the lion clip or retriever clip matter for ear health?

Not directly, but the hair on the ears matters. Whatever clip you choose, keeping the fur under the flap shorter and drying the ears after swimming makes the biggest difference.

Should I stop my Portie from swimming?

No. Swimming is part of what this breed was made for. Dry and clean the ears afterward, and talk to your vet if problems keep returning.

Is canal hair the reason my PWD keeps getting ear problems?

It can contribute, but allergies are often the underlying cause of repeat flare-ups. Your vet can look at both and help decide whether hair removal makes sense.

How is a Portie's ear care different from a Labradoodle's?

The basics are similar, but PWDs are a purebred water dog with more consistent canal hair and coat. Our Labradoodle ear guide covers a mixed breed whose coat can vary widely.