Clumber Spaniel Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Few dogs fill a doorway quite like a Clumber Spaniel. Long, low and heavy-boned, with a broad head, soft hooded eyes and a white coat flecked with lemon or orange, the Clumber moves through life at its own unhurried pace. Its ears match the rest of it: big, vine-leaf-shaped flaps set low on the skull that drape forward over the cheeks. Those ears collect drool, dinner and whatever the garden had to offer.

Below you will find why the Clumber's build puts its ears at risk, what early trouble looks like, the usual causes, when to call your vet and how to handle ear care on a big, heavy dog that would much rather lie down than stand still.

How the Clumber's build affects its ears

The Clumber is the heaviest of the spaniels, developed on English country estates to work slowly and methodically through thick cover, flushing birds within easy range of the guns. Almost every feature that suited that job also shapes its ear health.

Large, low-set drop ears. Clumber ears are broad at the top and shaped a little like a vine leaf, hanging forward and close to the head. Set that low, they cover the ear opening almost completely, and warm, still air collects underneath.

Loose skin and heavy lips. The breed's loose facial skin and pendulous flews mean saliva runs down toward the ear leather, especially after a drink. A damp, sticky ear flap is common by the end of the day.

Droopy lower eyelids. The relaxed eyelids that give the Clumber its soulful look also mean tear staining and wet fur on the face, adding to the moisture around the head.

A dense, straight white coat. The coat is thick and sheds generously. Loose hair and the light feathering on the ear catch burrs and seed heads in the field and dust at home.

A low, steady worker. Clumbers push through brambles and undergrowth with their heads down, so the ears brush against plant matter for the whole outing.

Itchy, allergic skin. Like many spaniels, some Clumbers have allergies, and the ears are often where it shows first.

Spaniel types in general turn up more often than other dogs in UK research on ear inflammation, and the Clumber's mix of size, skin and ear set fits that picture. Our list of 20 breeds predisposed to ear infections explains how ear shape and coat play into it. If you also know the Basset Hound, the Basset Hound ear guide describes another heavy, low dog with loose skin, though its ears are longer and narrower and its coat far shorter.

What to look for in a Clumber

A Clumber is rarely a dramatic patient. Many will simply sigh, flop down and push one side of the face along the carpet. Watch for:

• Rubbing the head on furniture, rugs or your legs more than usual
• Slow, heavy head shakes that slap the big ears against the skull
• Brown or yellow staining on the white hair around the ear opening
• A sour or musty odor that is stronger than the usual Clumber smell
• Sticky, dark wax on the inside of the flap
• Pink, warm or puffy skin inside the ear
• Carrying the head lower than normal or tilted to one side
• Turning away when you reach for the face or ears

Usual causes of Clumber ear problems

• Moisture from drool, water bowls and baths. Under a heavy, low ear the canal dries slowly, and constant damp lets the yeast and bacteria that normally live on the skin in small numbers multiply.
• Allergies. Environmental and food allergies inflame the lining of the canal and are a common reason ear trouble keeps returning.
• Plant debris. Grass awns and seed heads ride in on the feathering and can work their way down the canal. A seed in the ear is a job for your vet.
• Wax buildup. Poor airflow lets wax collect, and some Clumbers simply produce more of it.
• Ear mites in young dogs. Puppies from homes with other pets can pick up mites, which cause intense itching and dark, crumbly debris. Your vet can confirm them.

When to see your vet

Cleaning is for ears that are healthy. If your Clumber's ear is red, swollen, painful or smells bad, let your vet examine it before you clean anything. Book a visit if you notice:

• Pain: your Clumber 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 hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, rubbing alcohol and home oil blends. They sting an inflamed canal and are unsafe if the eardrum is damaged. Cotton swabs stay out of the canal, too.

Ear care for a big, heavy spaniel

Most healthy Clumbers do well with a full ear clean once a week, a wipe of the ear leather after meals and a quick check after every walk through long grass or woodland. A dog with a history of ear trouble may need a schedule from your vet.

Work at floor level. Hoisting a heavy Clumber onto a grooming table is hard on your back and on the dog's joints. Sit on the floor with your dog lying on its side on a non-slip mat, clean the upper ear, then roll the dog over for the other one.

Manage the drool. Keep a small towel by the water bowl and wipe the lips and the lower edge of each ear after drinking. A deep, narrow bowl helps keep the ear tips out of the water.

1. Brush the ear feathering. Run a pin brush over the ear leather to lift out loose hair and seeds.
2. Look and sniff. Fold the ear back. Redness, swelling, discharge or a strong smell means stop and call your vet.
3. Fill and massage. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner and massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
4. Let your dog shake. A Clumber's shake sends out drool as well as cleaner, so stand to one side.
5. Wipe the opening. Use cotton or gauze on the inside of the flap and the entrance to the canal only.
6. Dry the face. Finish by wiping the lips, the eye area and the underside of each ear.

Groomer tip: Ask your groomer to thin the hair on the underside of the ear and around the opening so a little more air can get in. Any hair inside the canal is a question for 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.

For a closer look at tools and technique, see how to clean your dog's ears and the tools you'll need.

Clumber Spaniel ear FAQ

Why do my Clumber's ears always seem damp?

Drool, water from the bowl and tear staining all run toward the ears on this breed, and the low flaps hold the moisture in. Wiping the lips and ear edges after drinking makes a noticeable difference.

My Clumber's white ear hair is turning reddish-brown. Should I worry?

Saliva and tears can tint white hair over time. Staining right at the ear opening that comes with odor, wax or scratching is different, and worth showing your vet.

Is it safe to clean the ears of a dog this heavy on my own?

Yes, if you work on the floor rather than lifting. Most Clumbers settle well lying on their side, and a helper to steady the head makes it easier.

Does a working Clumber need more ear checks than a pet?

A dog that spends the day in dense cover picks up more seeds and debris, so check and brush the ears after every outing during the season.