Kerry Blue Terrier Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Kerry Blue Terriers arrive in the world jet black, then slowly clear over their first year or two into that soft, wavy blue-gray that gives the breed its name. They grow up into bold, clever, sometimes stubborn dogs with a beard, a fall of hair over the eyes and a coat that never stops growing. If you own one, you already know how much grooming that coat takes. The ears are part of that job, and they are easy to overlook.

Below you will find what makes Kerry Blue ears prone to trouble, the early signs, the most common triggers, when a vet visit is the right call, and a simple ear routine to fold into your regular brushing.

A terrier ear built for trouble

The Kerry Blue started out as an all-purpose farm terrier in Ireland, expected to hunt vermin, herd a little and guard the yard. Its ears were never designed with easy airflow in mind, and modern grooming adds a few extra challenges.

• V-shaped ears that fold forward. The ear is small to medium, fairly thick, and folds over so the tip falls forward toward the outside corner of the eye. That fold covers the canal opening and slows drying.
• A coat that keeps growing. The soft, wavy, single-layer coat sheds very little, so loose hair stays on the dog instead of falling to the floor. Some of it ends up in and around the ear.
• Hair inside the canal. Like many low-shedding breeds, Kerries grow hair inside the ear canal. Mixed with wax, it can form a dense mat that traps moisture and debris.
• A beard that collects water. After drinking or eating, a wet beard rubs against the lower edge of the ear and keeps the area damp.
• A busy outdoor nature. Kerries love to dig, patrol and chase. Soil, grass seeds and burrs can catch on the ear and work under the fold.

Allergies, both seasonal and food related, can also show up as itchy, inflamed ears in this breed, just as in many others.

How Kerry Blue ears compare with the Wheaten

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is the Kerry Blue's closest cousin in coat and temperament, and the ear routines overlap heavily. Both have folded ears, soft non-shedding coats and canal hair. The Kerry's ear leather tends to be a little heavier and the fold is set higher on the head. For more on its cousin, read our guide to Wheaten Terrier ear infections.

The Bedlington Terrier is another non-shedding terrier whose ear hair keeps growing, with a very different ear shape.

Early clues to watch for

Terriers can be tough about discomfort, and a dense blue-gray coat hides a lot. Check the ear itself rather than waiting for obvious distress. Typical clues include:

• Repeated head shaking, especially after a nap or a drink
• Scratching at the base of one ear until the hair there looks thin or broken
• Rubbing the head against furniture, walls or your legs
• Darker, damp-looking hair at the edge of the ear fold
• Waxy brown or yellow debris, or a musty smell when you lift the flap
• Red, shiny skin on the inside of the ear
• Grumpiness or snapping when the head is handled, which is unusual for a dog that normally enjoys grooming

If you see discharge, our article on what the color and texture of ear discharge can mean explains the common types. A vet still needs to identify what is causing it.

Common causes in Kerries

Matted hair and wax. A plug of hair and wax in the canal keeps heat and moisture in, which allows normal skin yeast and bacteria to multiply.

Moisture. Bath time, rain, a wet beard and the occasional swim all add water under the fold.

Allergic skin. Environmental allergens and some food ingredients can trigger itching that starts in the ears and spreads to the paws and belly.

Plant material. Seeds and bits of vegetation picked up while digging or exploring can slide into the canal.

Mites. More common in puppies, ear mites cause severe itching and dark, gritty debris.

When to see your vet

Routine cleaning is meant for ears that look and smell healthy. A sore ear should be examined first so your vet can see the canal and eardrum and choose the right treatment. Call your vet if you notice:

• Pain: your Kerry 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 hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, alcohol and homemade oil mixes, and keep cotton swabs out of the canal. Ask your vet whether the hair inside your dog's ears should be thinned, and who should do it.

An ear routine for a dog that is always being brushed

Most healthy Kerry Blues need their ears checked every few days and cleaned about once a week, plus after baths or swims. Since the coat needs brushing several times a week anyway, add the ears to that session. Here are five reasons regular ear cleaning is worth the effort if you need convincing.

1. Brush the head and beard. Comb out tangles around the ears and squeeze the beard dry.
2. Open the fold. Lift the V-shaped flap back toward the top of the head and look into the canal. Stop and call your vet if it is red, swollen, smelly or painful.
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. Allow the shake. Let your Kerry shake its head to bring loosened wax up.
5. Wipe the surface. Use cotton or gauze to wipe the inner flap and the visible opening, never deeper.
6. Dry the fold. Pat the inside of the ear and the surrounding hair dry before letting the flap fall back.

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.

Kerry Blue Terrier ear FAQ

Is it normal for my Kerry Blue puppy's ears to look black and the adult coat blue?

Yes. Kerry Blue puppies are born black and usually clear to blue-gray as they mature. The color change has no effect on the ears themselves, though dark ear leather can make redness harder to spot.

Do Kerry Blue ears need to be glued or set as puppies?

Some breeders train the ear fold in young puppies for the show ring. Any ear setting should be done carefully and with guidance from your breeder or vet, and the skin should be checked for irritation.

How often should I have my Kerry professionally groomed?

Many owners book a professional trim every month or two. Ask the groomer to show you the ear area so you know what healthy looks like between visits.

My Kerry's beard is always wet. Can that affect the ears?

It can keep the hair around the lower edge of the ears damp. Wiping the beard dry after meals and drinks is an easy habit that helps.