Watch any Lab climb out of a lake: a full-body shake, then a few head shakes, ears slapping like wet laundry. That’s normal. If the head shaking’s still going an hour later, I’d take a closer look, because Labrador ears are a classic trouble spot.
Here’s the short version. Labrador ears are soft, floppy “drop ears” that hang close to the head. They look great and they’re lovely to rub, but the fold traps warmth and moisture, which makes ear infections one of the most common problems in Labs. A quick weekly check, drying after swims and cleaning only when needed will prevent most of the trouble. Below I cover the anatomy, the odd ear shapes some Labs have, the problems to watch for and exactly how I clean a Lab’s ears.
How a Labrador’s ear is built
I find it easier to look after something when I know how it works. A dog’s ear has three parts, and only one of them is easy to see.
The pinna, or drop ear
The flap you see and rub is called the pinna. In Labs, it’s a “drop ear”: it hangs down close to the cheek instead of standing up. The AKC Labrador Retriever breed standard asks for ears that hang moderately close to the head, set rather far back and somewhat low on the skull.
The flap covers the opening to the ear canal. That helps keep out some dirt and debris, but it also limits airflow, which is the main reason Labs get more ear infections than prick-eared dogs.
Inside the ear
Under the flap, every dog’s ear has the same basic layout. This is how it works:
| Part | What it contains | What it does | Why it matters for Labs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer ear | Pinna and ear canal | Collects sound, funnels it inward | Where most infections start |
| Middle ear | Eardrum and tiny bones | Passes vibrations inward | Deep infections can reach it |
| Inner ear | Cochlea and balance organs | Hearing and balance | Problems here cause head tilt |
A dog’s ear canal isn’t straight like ours. It runs down, then bends inward toward the eardrum, forming an L shape. That bend’s the reason water and debris get trapped so easily, and it’s also why you should never push anything deep into the canal.
Why do Labradors have floppy ears?
Based on my research, the honest answer is a mix of domestication and breeding.
Wolves and most wild dogs have upright ears. Floppy ears showed up as dogs were domesticated, and they’re one of several traits, along with curly tails and spotted coats, that tend to appear in domesticated animals. Scientists call this pattern domestication syndrome, and one leading theory links it to changes in a group of cells in the early embryo that also shape the ear’s cartilage. It’s still a theory, not settled science.
Breeders then shaped what they liked. Retriever breeders kept the soft, low-set ears that became the Lab’s trademark. Some people think the flap helps keep water out when a Lab swims, and Labs certainly love the water, but in my view the bigger effect works the other way: once water gets in, the flap keeps it there.
What about Labradors with pointy ears?
Now and then you’ll see a Lab whose ears stand up a bit or fly out to the sides. There are a few common reasons:
- Teething puppies, whose ear cartilage can lift and twist for a few weeks, then settle
- Alert moments, when the ear base lifts and the flap points forward
- A mixed background, if a prick-eared breed is somewhere in the family tree
- Injury or swelling, such as an ear hematoma, which makes the flap thick and puffy
The puppy phase is normal and passes. A swollen, puffy flap isn’t, and it needs a vet.
Unusual ear shapes in Labradors
Not every Lab’s ears hang perfectly flat. Two shapes come up a lot.
Rose ears
A rose ear folds backward, so part of the inside of the ear shows. It’s the correct ear for breeds like Greyhounds, Whippets and Bulldogs. In a Lab, it doesn’t fit the show standard, but it isn’t a health problem. Some Labs carry one ear rose-folded all their lives, and I think it adds character.
Folded ears
In a folded ear, the tip folds forward or over on itself. It also misses the breed standard, and it can come from genetics or from how the ear set while the puppy was growing. Hearing isn’t affected. The only practical point is that a tight fold can trap more moisture, so I’d check those ears a little more often.
Henry’s pocket
Ever spotted a small slit or pouch on the outer edge of your Lab’s ear, near the base? That’s Henry’s pocket, or the cutaneous marginal pouch. Cats and many dog breeds have one. Nobody knows for sure what it does. One theory says it helps with high-pitched sounds, another that it gives the ear flexibility for movement.
The practical bit: it’s a great hiding spot for ticks, fleas, grass seeds and dirt. I check it whenever I check for ticks after a hike.
Common ear problems in Labradors
Most Lab ear trouble falls into a few groups. Here’s a quick overview before the details:
| Problem | Main signs | How urgent |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infection | Smell, discharge, redness, head shaking | Vet within a few days |
| Ear mites | Intense itching, dark coffee-ground debris | Vet within a few days |
| Foreign body (grass seed) | Sudden violent head shaking, tilted head | Vet the same day |
| Ear hematoma | Puffy, swollen flap | Vet within a day or two |
| Balance problems | Head tilt, circling, falling | Vet right away |
The last row’s the one I’d never wait on. Loss of balance can mean a deep infection or a problem in the inner ear, and it needs a vet the same day.
Ear infections
Ear infections, called otitis externa when they affect the outer canal, are among the most common reasons Labs see the vet. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the usual culprits are bacteria and yeast, and allergies are often the underlying trigger. Labs are prone to allergies, so it’s no surprise their ears suffer.
Signs I watch for:
- Scratching or pawing at the ear
- Head shaking or a tilted head
- A sour or yeasty smell
- Brown, yellow or black discharge
- Red, swollen skin inside the flap
- Yelping or pulling away when you touch the ear
If you see these, book a vet visit. Your vet will look down the canal with an otoscope, often check a sample under a microscope, then clean the ear and prescribe drops or other medication. Don’t use leftover drops from an old infection, because the wrong product can make things worse, especially if the eardrum’s damaged.
Repeat infections usually have a root cause. Food or environmental allergies, too many swims without drying and too much hair or wax all play a part. Buck has a mild sensitivity to chicken meal, and that’s one reason I keep a close eye on his ears and skin; your vet can help you work out whether diet plays a role for your dog.
Ear mites
Ear mites are tiny, very contagious parasites that live in the ear canal and feed on wax and skin oils. They’re more common in puppies and in dogs that live with cats.
The signs are hard to miss:
- Constant, intense scratching
- Head shaking
- Dark, crumbly debris that looks like coffee grounds
- Scratches or scabs behind the ears
Your vet can confirm mites by looking at a swab under a microscope. Treatment usually means a prescription product and cleaning, and every pet in the house often needs treating at the same time.
Grass seeds and other foreign bodies
Grass seeds, especially the barbed foxtails common in the western US, are a real summer hazard. They catch in the fur, slip into the ear canal and work their way inward. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists foreign bodies among the main causes of outer ear disease.
The classic sign is sudden, violent head shaking right after a walk through long grass, often with the head tilted to one side. Don’t try to dig the seed out. Your vet will need to remove it, sometimes under sedation. After a summer hike, I’d run your fingers over your Lab’s ears and check the openings before you get in the car.
Too much hair or wax
Some Labs grow extra hair in their ear canals, and some make more wax than others. Both can trap moisture and debris. If your vet thinks the hair’s a problem, a vet or groomer can remove it carefully. Don’t pluck deep inside the canal at home, since that can irritate the skin and invite infection.
Narrow ear canals
Some dogs have narrow canals, from birth or from long-term swelling after repeated infections. Narrow canals trap more debris and heal more slowly. Your vet may suggest a regular cleaning routine, and in severe long-term cases, surgery is an option.
Ear hematomas
When a dog shakes or scratches hard, a blood vessel in the flap can burst and the flap fills with blood, becoming thick and puffy. That’s an aural hematoma. It’s not an emergency, but it does need a vet, and the cause of the shaking (often an infection) needs treating too.
How to clean your Labrador’s ears, step by step
Healthy ears don’t need constant cleaning. Over-cleaning can irritate the canal. I’d check a Lab’s ears once a week, clean them when they look dirty or smell off, and at least dry them after every swim.
What you’ll need
Gather these before you start, so you aren’t chasing a wet dog around the house:
- A dog ear cleaner your vet recommends
- Cotton balls or gauze pads
- A towel
- Small treats
Never use cotton swabs in the canal, and skip hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can sting and dry the skin.
The steps
These are the steps I follow, based on the method in VCA’s ear cleaning guide:
- Sit your Lab down somewhere you don’t mind a mess, like the bathroom or the yard.
- Lift the ear flap gently and look inside. Check for redness, swelling, smell or discharge.
- Fill the canal with ear cleaner, following the bottle’s directions.
- Massage the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds. You should hear a squishing sound.
- Step back and let your dog shake his head. (This is the messy bit.)
- Wipe out the visible part of the ear and the flap with a cotton ball. Don’t go deeper than your finger reaches.
- Give a treat and plenty of praise.
If the ear’s red, painful or smelly before you start, skip the cleaning and call your vet. Cleaning an infected ear can hurt, and if the eardrum’s damaged, some cleaners can cause problems.
Getting your Lab used to ear handling
Some Labs love an ear rub and hate an ear clean. Start young if you can. Touch the ears gently every day, give a treat, and stop before your dog gets worried. Then add a cotton ball, then the bottle, then a tiny bit of cleaner. Keep sessions short and positive.
After swimming
This is the habit that matters most for water-loving Labs. After every swim or bath, lift each flap and dry the visible part of the ear with a towel. Buck’s obsessed with retrieving dock bumpers, even in freezing weather, so lake days at my house mean a lot of wet ears. For dogs like him, ask your vet about a drying ear cleaner for heavy swim days. It takes two minutes, and in my view it’s the single best habit for a water-loving Lab’s ears.
Ear care by age and lifestyle
Ear care isn’t the same for every Lab. A puppy, a lake dog and a 12-year-old couch potato need slightly different routines. This is how I’d adjust it:
| Dog | How often to check | How often to clean | My take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 6 months) | Every few days, as handling practice | Only when dirty | Build the habit early |
| Adult, rarely swims | Weekly | Every 2 to 4 weeks, or when dirty | Less is more |
| Adult, swims often | After every swim | Dry after swims, clean weekly or as advised | Where most infections start |
| Dog with allergies | Several times a week | As your vet directs | Treat the allergy, not just the ear |
| Senior (8+) | Weekly | When dirty | Watch for hearing loss too |
The allergy row’s the one people miss. If your Lab’s ears flare up every spring or after a food change, cleaning alone won’t fix it. Your vet can help you find and manage the trigger, and my guide to common allergies in Labradors covers the usual suspects.
Hearing loss in older Labs
Labs, like people, can lose some hearing as they age. It usually happens slowly, so many owners don’t notice until the dog’s quite deaf. Long-term ear infections can also damage hearing, which is one more reason to treat them early.
Signs your Lab’s hearing may be fading:
- Not waking up when you come home
- Ignoring cues it used to know, especially from behind
- Barking more, or louder, than before
- Startling when touched while asleep
If you notice these, ask your vet to check the ears. An infection or a wax plug can sometimes be treated and hearing improves. Age-related hearing loss can’t be reversed, but deaf dogs adapt well. I’d start teaching hand signals for sit, down, come and “good dog” long before a Lab needs them, because it’s much easier to teach them to a dog that can still hear you. Approach a deaf dog so it can see you, and touch it gently on the shoulder rather than startling it awake.
When to see the vet
Call your vet if you notice any of these:
- Smell, discharge or redness that lasts more than a day
- Head shaking that doesn’t settle
- Pain when the ears are touched
- A swollen, puffy ear flap
- Head tilt, circling or loss of balance (same day)
- Any sign of a grass seed in the ear (same day)
Ear problems can get worse quickly, and long-term infections can damage the canal for good. I’m not a vet, and an ear’s one place where guessing at home usually backfires. My guide to common Labrador health issues covers other conditions worth knowing.
Do other Lab mixes have the same ear problems?
Usually, yes, and some have it worse. Mixes with long, heavy ears, such as a Lab crossed with a Basset Hound, trap even more moisture. My Bassador guide covers that mix in detail. Mixes with prick-eared parents may have more upright, airier ears and fewer infections.
From my experience, the routine doesn’t change much from one Lab mix to the next: weekly checks, drying after swims and a vet visit at the first sign of trouble.
FAQ
Why does my Labrador keep shaking its head?
A Labrador that keeps shaking its head often has something bothering its ear: water, an infection, mites or a grass seed. A few shakes after a swim are normal. Shaking that lasts, especially with scratching, smell or a head tilt, needs a vet visit.
How often should I clean my Labrador’s ears?
Check your Labrador’s ears weekly, and clean them only when they look dirty or after swimming or bathing. Many Labs need a clean every week or two, others less often. Too much cleaning can irritate the ear, so follow your vet’s advice.
What does a healthy Labrador ear look like?
A healthy Labrador ear is light pink inside, with little or no wax and no strong smell. There should be no redness, swelling, discharge or crusts. Your Lab shouldn’t mind you gently touching the ear.
Why does my Labrador have one ear that sticks up?
One ear sticking up is common in teething puppies, whose ear cartilage can lift for a few weeks. In adults, it can be a rose or folded ear, a mixed background or, if the flap is puffy, a hematoma. A swollen ear needs a vet.
Can I use vinegar or peroxide to clean my Lab’s ears?
It’s best not to. Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can sting and irritate inflamed skin, and they shouldn’t go into an ear with a damaged eardrum. Use a dog ear cleaner your vet recommends instead.
My final word
Labrador ears are the first thing most people reach for when they meet a Lab, and I get it. Just give those ears a quick sniff and a look once a week while you’re at it. It’s the easiest way I know to catch trouble early.
