3d • General discussion
To pluck or not to pluck… that is the question.
One of the most debated topics in the grooming industry is whether a dog’s ear hair should be plucked.
Ask a vet, and you may hear that it’s part of a groomer’s role.
Ask a groomer, and many will say anything inside the ear canal is strictly veterinary territory.
Then there’s the client perspective… some are told plucking causes ear infections, while others are told not plucking causes them.
So which is correct?
The truth is — this topic has become clouded with conflicting advice, outdated practices, and blanket approaches that don’t consider the individual dog.
If we come back to the fundamentals, dogs’ ears were designed to have some hair within the ear canal. This hair serves a purpose — it acts as a protective filter, helping to trap debris and prevent dirt from travelling deeper into the ear where it can cause irritation or infection. In its natural state, ear hair is not the enemy.
The idea of plucking largely comes from the fact that many modern breeds are far removed from their original blueprint. Selective breeding has led to denser coat types, heavier hair growth within the ear canal, and reduced natural airflow.
In some dogs, this excess hair can trap moisture, hold debris, and create a warm, stagnant environment — and that is where problems can begin.
The issue isn’t plucking, and it isn’t not plucking. The issue is blanket rules. Plucking every dog because “that’s what we do” is just as inappropriate as refusing to ever pluck at all.
This is where a more thoughtful approach is needed.
Before reaching for powder or forceps, we need to pause and assess the dog in front of us. Look at what the ear is telling you — is it clean or inflamed? Is there odour, discharge, redness, or sensitivity? How dense is the hair, and how is the dog responding to handling?
From there, we adjust our approach based on what we observe, not on habit or routine.
That might mean leaving the ear hair completely, removing only loose or excessive hair at the entrance, referring to a vet if the ear is already compromised, or choosing comfort and welfare over cosmetic “perfection.”
Because the welfare component matters most. Plucking can be painful, invasive, and stressful — especially when done routinely, aggressively, or without consideration of the dog’s emotional state. Repeated negative experiences can create handling sensitivity, increase grooming anxiety, and escalate behavioural responses over time.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer — and that’s exactly the point. Good grooming is not about rigid rules, but about informed decision-making.
It requires an understanding of anatomy, breed variation, skin health, and behaviour, and the ability to apply that knowledge in real time.
Instead of asking, “Should I pluck this dog’s ears?” we should be asking, “What does this dog need, in this moment?”
That shift in thinking is where better outcomes begin — for both the dog and the groomer.
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To pluck or not to pluck… that is the question.
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