Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is not a dog in a hurry. It quarters close in front of the hunter, checks back often, and goes into cold water without complaint. Owners love that steady, cooperative nature. The trade-off is a dog with flat, hanging ears, a bushy mustache and a coat that holds onto whatever it walks through, all of which can add up to ear problems if nobody is keeping an eye on them.

Here is a practical look at Griffon ears: what makes them vulnerable, early warning signs, the most common triggers, red flags that mean a vet visit, and a cleaning plan that suits a slow, thorough gundog.

The Griffon's ears, coat and work

Flat drop ears with short hair

Griffon ears are medium-sized, set high and lie flat against the head. The hair on them is shorter and softer than the rest of the coat, so they look neat, but they still form a lid over the ear opening. Air exchange under a lid like that is slow, especially after rain or a swim.

A harsh, medium-length coat

The body coat is rough, straight and medium in length, often steel gray with brown, sometimes chestnut or roan. It is designed to shed water and brush, but the bushy eyebrows and mustache around the face collect moisture and plant bits. Those furnishings sit right next to the ears.

A close-working, water-loving gundog

Breed fans sometimes call the Griffon the "supreme gundog," and much of its work happens in marsh, cattails and ponds. Working close and slow means a lot of time with the head down in dense, wet cover. Seed heads, mud and water have plenty of chances to reach the ears.

Skin sensitivity

As with many sporting breeds, some Griffons have allergies. Ears are a common place for allergic itch to show up, sometimes along with paw licking or itchy skin elsewhere.

A large UK study of ear inflammation in dogs found gundogs and dogs with drop ears at higher odds than other dogs, a pattern that fits the Griffon well. The Griffon has a lot in common with other versatile hunters; our Vizsla ear care guide covers a smooth-coated pointing breed with a similar drop ear and a very different coat.

Signs to watch for

Griffons tend to be affectionate and attentive, so behavior changes are often the first hint. Look for:

1. More head shaking than usual, sometimes followed by a pause and a tilt
2. Rubbing the mustache and cheek along furniture or the ground
3. Scratching behind the ear, then sniffing the paw
4. Waxy or wet discharge on the inside of the flap
5. A musty smell when you lift the ear
6. Pinkness or warmth on the skin of the inner ear
7. Reluctance to have the head handled

The color and texture of any discharge can hint at what is happening. Our guide to ear discharge in dogs walks through the common types, though only a vet exam can confirm the cause.

Common causes in Griffons

Most ear trouble in this breed has an underlying driver. Moisture is the obvious one: water retrieves, wet marsh grass and soggy facial hair all keep the canal damp, and damp skin lets yeast and bacteria that are normally present grow out of balance. Allergies are the other big one, and they are often the reason problems keep returning even when the dog has been dry.

Debris plays a part, too. Burrs and grass seeds that catch in the eyebrows and on the ear leather can work their way toward the opening. A seed inside the canal can cause sudden, intense head shaking and needs your vet to remove it. In younger dogs, ear mites are possible, especially in homes with cats; your vet can confirm them from a sample.

When to see your vet

An ear that already looks sore is not one to clean at home. Your vet needs to look at the canal and the eardrum before anything goes in. Book a visit if you notice:

• Pain: your dog 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

Pass on online suggestions like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or homemade oils. They can irritate inflamed skin and are risky if the eardrum is not intact. Cotton swabs also stay out of the canal.

A cleaning plan that matches the Griffon's pace

Most healthy Griffons do well with a clean once a week and an extra one after any day involving water. Between cleans, a quick look and sniff after outings is enough. If your dog has had ear problems before, follow the frequency your vet recommends.

Griffons are generally patient and eager to please, which makes ear care easier than with some sporting breeds. Use that. Pick a calm moment, keep a few small rewards handy, and turn it into a short, predictable ritual.

• Dry the furnishings. Towel the mustache, eyebrows and cheeks first so water does not drip back toward the ear.
• Brush the ear leather. A slicker or comb lifts out burrs and seeds caught on the outside.
• Check inside. Lift the flap and look. Redness, swelling, discharge or odor means pause and call your vet.
• Fill and massage. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner, then massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
• Let the shake happen. Step aside while your Griffon shakes out the loosened debris.
• Wipe gently. Use cotton pads on the inner flap and the opening only, never deeper.

If your Griffon is hand-stripped, ask the groomer to keep the area around the ear opening tidy. Talk to your vet about any hair growing inside the canal before removing it.

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.

For more on the tools and technique, read how to clean your dog's ears and the tools you'll need.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon ear FAQ

Do Griffon ears need trimming?

The ear leather has short hair already, so little trimming is needed. Keeping the hair around the opening neat helps airflow; leave anything inside the canal to your vet.

My Griffon swims all summer. Is daily cleaning a good idea?

Not usually. Over-cleaning can irritate a healthy ear. Dry the head well after each swim and clean after water days, then ask your vet if the ears start looking red.

Why does my Griffon's mustache smell?

Food and water get trapped in facial hair. That smell is separate from the ear, so sniff the ear itself. A sour smell from inside the ear deserves a vet check.

Are Griffons prone to ear problems as puppies?

Puppies can pick up ear mites and are still learning to accept handling. Start gentle ear checks early and let your vet confirm anything unusual.