Basset Hound, Shar Pei and Labradoodle Breeds Most Prone to Ear Infections
Basset Hounds, Shar Peis, and Labradoodles, followed by Beagles and Golden Retrievers, top the list when it comes to dog breeds most prone to ear infections. New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) aims to help owners better spot the signs and respond to suffering from ear problems in dogs by revealing the true extent of the condition in the UK, as well as what breeds and what type of ear conformation are most prone to this painful disorder.
The study is the largest of its kind to use anonymized veterinary health records to understand better why dogs in the UK get ear infections. It included 22,333 dogs that were followed for one year, and 7.3% (1,631 dogs) were identified as having had an ear infection during that year.
In addition to the five breeds mentioned, Poodle and Spaniel types of dogs, in general, had a higher risk of ear infections. Dogs with long, floppy ears had a much higher risk compared to dogs with pricked ears. Smaller breeds, under 10kg, had a lower risk of ear infection than larger breeds. Research also shows that dogs older than one year are at increased risk compared to those younger than one year.
Prioritize health over beauty
Dr. Dan O'Neill, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and lead author of the paper, notes: "Humans invented dog breeds with all sorts of extreme body shapes more than a hundred years ago. But it is only now that we realize how much these body shapes affect the health of these breeds. This study explores the health issues associated with floppy ears in dogs that many people find so appealing, but the results may lead us to question whether we've gone too far in our quest for variety in our dogs' looks. Avoiding breeds with extreme body shapes is a conversation everyone should be having now before deciding which breed to buy."
Making owners more aware of how often these infections can occur will help them take more preventive measures, including gently cleaning the ears with a dry tissue, careful use of ear cleaners with antimicrobial properties, and avoid excessive ear cleaning or waxing. This is especially important for dog breeds identified as being at high risk for ear infection in this study.
key findings
One in 14 dogs in the UK (7.3%) suffers from an ear infection each year.
16 breeds have a higher risk of ear infection compared to crossbred dogs.
Four breeds have a reduced risk of ear infection compared to crossbred dogs: Chihuahua (x 0.20), Border Collie (x 0.34), Yorkshire Terrier (x 0.49), and Jack Russell Terrier (x 0. 52).
"Designer" breeds (eg, Labradoodles, Cockapoos) overall had a 1.63-fold increased risk of ear infection compared to crossbred dogs.
Poodles overall had a 1.91 times higher risk of ear infection compared to other breeds.
Spaniel-type breeds overall had a 1.24-fold increased risk of ear infection compared to other breeds.
Compared to breeds with pricked ears, breeds with floppy ears had a 1.76 times higher risk and dogs with floppy V-shaped ears had a 1.84 times higher risk of ear infection.
Male dogs had a 1.21-fold increased risk of ear infection compared to females.
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