Wire Fox Terrier Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Give a Wire Fox Terrier a patch of soft ground and a whiff of something underneath, and the excavation starts. Dirt flies, the bearded face disappears into the hole, and those neat little folded ears get a coating of soil. Most of the time a shake sorts it out. Sometimes it does not, and that is when ear trouble can quietly start.

Read on for the features that shape a Wire Fox Terrier's ear health, the clues to watch for, what tends to cause problems, when your vet is needed and a quick routine for a busy little earth dog.

Small ears, big digging habit

The Wire Fox Terrier is a compact, square, energetic terrier originally used to bolt foxes from their dens. Its coat is mostly white with tan, black or black-and-tan markings, usually on the head and body. The outer coat is dense and wiry, sometimes described as broken, with a short, softer undercoat.

The ears are small, V-shaped and moderately thick. They fold forward and drop down close to the cheeks, with the tips pointing toward the eyes. That small flap sits like a lid over the canal.

Ear risk in this breed is generally moderate rather than high, and it comes mostly from habits and coat:

• Digging. Soil, sand and plant fragments land on the ears and can work under the fold toward the opening. Grass seeds are a particular concern in summer.
• Wiry hair around the ears. The coat grows close around the ear opening and on the flap, catching dirt and wax.
• Grooming routine. Hand-stripping or clipping can leave skin around the ears tender for a day or two, while long gaps between grooms let hair crowd the opening.
• Allergic skin. Some Wire Foxes have itchy skin, which may first show as scratching at the ears or licking the feet.

How the Wire Fox differs from the Airedale

Both terriers have wiry coats and small, forward-folding V-shaped ears, but the Wire Fox is a fraction of the size, its ears drop closer to the cheek, and its job was to go to ground. That makes dirt and debris from digging a more central concern than in the larger, longer-legged Airedale. If you also love a white terrier with prick ears, our Westie ear guide shows how different ear carriage changes the risks.

For the big version of this coat and ear type, see our Airedale Terrier ear guide.

What to watch for

Wire Fox Terriers rarely sit still long enough for you to notice small changes, so look during calm moments:

• Sudden, repeated head shaking after time in the garden or at the park
• Scratching at one ear with a hind leg, then resuming play
• Rubbing the head along rugs, cushions or grass
• Dirt, sand or bits of plant that stay in the ear after shaking
• Brown wax or a darker stain on the white hair around the ear
• Redness or swelling inside the folded flap
• A sour smell when you lift the ear

The look of the debris can be a useful clue for your vet. Our guide to what ear discharge color and texture can mean explains what owners commonly see.

Usual triggers

In a Wire Fox, ear inflammation usually begins with something that irritates the skin of the canal. The common culprits are:

1. Soil and plant debris from digging and burrowing, including grass awns that can lodge deep in one ear
2. Allergies, environmental or food-related, often affecting both ears
3. Wax and hair around the opening that hold moisture in place
4. Bath or rain water trapped under the fold
5. Ear mites, particularly in puppies or homes with cats

Once the skin is irritated, yeast and bacteria that normally live in the ear in small numbers can overgrow. Your vet can identify which is present and choose a suitable plan.

When to see your vet

Home cleaning suits ears that look and smell healthy. If you think your terrier's ear is infected, your vet should examine the canal and eardrum first. 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

If shaking starts right after a dig, a seed or bit of debris may be inside the canal. Do not try to fish it out yourself. Also skip vinegar, peroxide, alcohol and oil-based home mixtures, and never use swabs inside the ear.

A quick routine for an earth dog

Most healthy Wire Fox Terriers need an ear check once a week and a clean every week or two. Add a look after every digging session and a clean if the ears come back dirty or damp. Cleaning healthy ears every day is unnecessary and can irritate them.

After digging: brush loose soil off the head and ears outside, lift each flap and look into the opening with a light.

To clean:

1. Settle your terrier on a table or your lap; a small dog is much easier to handle at your level.
2. Lift the flap and check for redness, swelling, discharge or odor. If you see any, stop and call your vet.
3. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner.
4. Massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
5. Let your dog shake, then wipe the opening and inner flap with cotton or gauze. Do not reach into the canal.
6. Comb the hair around the ear once it is dry.

Keep sessions short and upbeat with a reward afterward. A Wire Fox that learns ear handling means a snack will tolerate it far better.

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 smells, see why dogs' ears stink.

Wire Fox Terrier ear FAQ

Should I stop my Wire Fox from digging?

Digging is a deep-rooted terrier instinct. A designated digging spot with loose, clean soil and a quick ear check afterward is usually more realistic than a ban.

Why is the white hair around my terrier's ear turning brown?

Staining can come from wax, discharge or licking and scratching. If it comes with odor or itching, have your vet check the ear.

Is a Smooth Fox Terrier's ear care any different?

The ear shape is the same, but the smooth coat has less hair around the opening, so it may trap less debris. The routine is otherwise similar.

Should the groomer trim around the ears?

Neat trimming of the hair around the opening and on the flap helps air flow. Removing hair from inside the canal is something to discuss with your vet first.