The "Drop Eared Breed" Guide

Floppy Ear Care: How to Clean and Protect Drop Eared Breeds

If you own a Cocker Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beagle, Basset Hound, or any of the long eared crossbreeds (Spoodles, Cavoodles, Beagliers), you already know that those gorgeous ears come with a maintenance bill.

Drop eared breeds were specifically bred so the ear flap covers the ear canal. In hunting and working dogs this was an evolutionary advantage that kept dirt, water, and grass seeds out. In a modern Australian backyard, it also means the inside of the ear flap stays warm, dark, and damp, which is the exact environment that produces a musty smell and waxy buildup.

The Symptoms You Cannot Ignore

Owners often overlook floppy ear issues because the ear canal itself looks fine when they peek inside. The problems hide on the underside of the ear flap and around the ear margin (the very edge of the ear).

Watch for:

1. A musty or sweet "corn chip" smell coming from the head area.
2. Brown waxy residue on the inside of the ear flap.
3. Dry, crusty, or thickened skin around the ear margin.
4. Constant head shaking or scratching at the side of the head.
5. Matted, clumpy fur on the underside of the ear flap.

The good news is the everyday musty smell, waxy residue, and dry margins can be managed entirely at home with the right weekly routine.

The Mistake: Cotton Buds and Alcohol Wipes

Two products that should never go anywhere near your dog's ears: cotton buds, and human alcohol based ear cleaners. Cotton buds push wax further down the canal where it compacts. Alcohol wipes strip the protective skin oils and sting any inflamed tissue, making the problem worse.

The 3 Step Floppy Ear Routine

Step 1: Trim the Ear Flap Fur

The fur on the underside of the ear flap traps moisture, debris, and old wax. Keeping it short is half the battle. Use the Grooming Scissors (curved style works best for following the ear shape) to trim the fur on the inside of the flap to roughly 1cm long. Be slow and careful. Do not cut blind. Hold the flap open against your hand so you can see the skin underneath.

Step 2: Clean the Flap and Margin

Wet a soft cloth with warm water and lather a small amount of Barkmere Soap Bar onto the cloth. Gently wipe the underside of the ear flap and around the ear margin. The coconut and sunflower oils lift away the waxy residue without stripping the skin.

Crucially, dry the area completely afterward. Use a Travel Towel to blot the inside of the flap until it is bone dry. Any moisture left behind will restart the cycle.

Step 3: Protect the Margin

The ear margin (the thin skin at the edge of the ear) is especially prone to drying out, cracking, and getting crusty in older drop eared dogs. After cleaning, smear a tiny amount of Bark Butter Balm along the ear margin and around the base of the ear flap.

The beeswax forms a soft moisture barrier, the calendula soothes any reddened skin, and the jojoba keeps the thin ear leather supple. For dogs with very dry or scaly ear margins, do this nightly. For maintenance, twice a week is fine.

Lifting the Ears to Dry

A simple habit that prevents 90% of floppy ear issues: after every bath, swim, or rainy walk, lift each ear up and gently towel dry the inside of the flap. Some owners even peg the ears up on top of the head for 10 minutes after a bath using a soft cloth or one of our Ear/Head Cover accessories, which lets the air circulate and the inside of the flap properly dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should I clean my Cavalier's ears?

For a healthy dog, a gentle wipe of the underside of the flap once a week is plenty, plus a full clean after any bath or swim. Dogs that get recurring buildup benefit from a twice weekly routine. The goal is prevention, not waiting for the smell to appear.

Can I use Bark Butter Balm inside the ear canal?

No. The balm is for the outer ear flap, the ear margin, and the surrounding skin only. Never put any product inside the actual ear canal. The canal is self cleaning and is best left alone.

Why do my Spoodle's ears get so matted?

Spoodles, Cavoodles, and other Spaniel crosses inherit the long thick ear fur from one parent and the curly Poodle coat from the other, which is a mat factory. Regular brushing with the Coat Brush (pin side) plus monthly trimming with the Grooming Scissors keeps it manageable. A light spray of All Day Spritzer before brushing helps the brush glide through.