Springer Spaniel Ear Infections: Field Dogs and Chronic Otitis

By Emiel Maddens  ·  Reviewed in consultation with licensed veterinary professionals  ·  Updated June 2026  ·  16 min read

The English Springer Spaniel is a versatile, athletic sporting dog bred for flushing and retrieving game in field conditions that are inherently rough on ears. Heavy feathered ears, an active outdoor lifestyle involving water and dense vegetation, and breed-specific skin conditions create a combination of factors that makes the Springer one of the most ear-infection-prone breeds. While their close relative the Cocker Spaniel typically holds the top position in ear infection prevalence studies, Springer Spaniels are consistently not far behind.

If your Springer Spaniel is dealing with ear infections, or if you want to prevent them, this guide explains the specific factors that drive ear disease in the breed and provides a tailored prevention and treatment protocol for both show-bred and field-bred Springers.

Why Springer Spaniels Are Highly Susceptible

1. Heavy, feathered, pendulous ears

Springer Spaniels have long, lobular ears that hang close to the head and are covered in dense, wavy feathering. This combination of ear length, weight, and hair coverage creates maximum obstruction of the ear canal. The heavy ear flap seals the canal opening, the feathering adds bulk and weight that presses the ear more firmly against the skull, and the hair itself absorbs and retains moisture from the environment. The result is a warm, dark, humid pocket over the ear canal that provides ideal growth conditions for yeast and bacteria. For a broader perspective on how ear shape affects infection risk, see our guide on floppy ears vs. erect ears.

2. Primary seborrhea: the oil and wax overproduction problem

English Springer Spaniels are one of the breeds most commonly affected by primary seborrhea, a genetic condition involving abnormal keratinization (skin cell turnover) and excessive sebum production. Within the ear canal, seborrhea manifests as increased cerumen (ear wax) production and altered wax composition that is richer in the lipids that Malassezia yeast feeds on. This breed-specific glandular tendency shares similarities with the ceruminous gland hyperplasia seen in Cocker Spaniels, and both conditions create an ear canal environment that actively promotes yeast overgrowth.

Primary seborrhea in Springers affects the entire body, not just the ears. If your Springer has a chronically oily or flaky coat, a persistent "doggy" odor, or greasy skin folds, these are signs of seborrhea that is also affecting the ear canal. Managing the skin condition systemically helps control the ear component. If your Springer is chronically itchy in addition to having ear problems, the two issues are very likely connected through seborrhea and/or allergies.

3. Working dog environmental exposure

Springer Spaniels were bred to work in challenging field conditions, and many continue to work as hunting dogs or participate in field trials. This working heritage means intense exposure to environmental factors that promote ear infections. Flushing game through marshes and wetlands involves repeated immersion in water. Running through dense brush and tall grass introduces plant material, allergens, and potential foreign bodies (grass awns) into the ears. Working in rain, mud, and humidity adds moisture exposure on top of the already-sealed ear environment. Even Springers kept solely as pets retain an active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle that exposes them to more environmental triggers than many indoor-oriented breeds.

4. Allergic dermatitis

Springer Spaniels have elevated rates of atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies) and food allergies. Allergic inflammation in the ear canal compounds the seborrhea-driven wax overproduction and the anatomical ventilation problem, creating a triple threat to ear health. For allergic Springers, ear infections are one manifestation of a systemic inflammatory condition that also affects the skin elsewhere on the body. Controlling the allergic inflammation is essential for controlling the ear infections.

5. Hair growth around and inside the ear canal

In addition to the external feathering, some Springers grow hair inside the ear canal that traps moisture and wax, further obstructing ventilation and drainage. This internal hair growth is less extreme than what is seen in Poodles or Shih Tzus, but it adds another layer of obstruction to an already compromised ear canal.

Springer Spaniels vs. Cocker Spaniels: Ear Infection Comparison

Because both breeds belong to the spaniel family and share many ear infection risk factors, comparing them is informative. Cocker Spaniels typically rank slightly higher in ear infection prevalence due to their more extreme ceruminous gland hyperplasia and the American Cocker's lower-set, longer ears. However, Springer Spaniels compensate with greater environmental exposure from their more active working heritage, a stronger primary seborrhea predisposition, and heavier ear feathering that traps more environmental debris.

In practice, both breeds require the same high level of ear care commitment. If you have experience managing Cocker Spaniel ears, you will apply the same principles to your Springer, with additional attention to post-field and post-water ear care protocols.

Show-Bred vs. Field-Bred Springers

Show-bred English Springer Spaniels

Show-bred Springers typically have heavier bone, more profuse coat, and longer, heavier ear feathering than their field-bred counterparts. This means more ear coverage, more weight pressing the ear flap against the head, and more hair to trap moisture. Show-bred Springers may require more frequent ear grooming (feathering trimming, ear hair management) to maintain adequate ventilation.

Field-bred English Springer Spaniels

Field-bred Springers have lighter bone, less coat, and shorter ear feathering, which provides somewhat better ear ventilation. However, they compensate with dramatically higher environmental exposure. A field Springer working a full day in wet, brushy conditions subjects its ears to an intensity of moisture, debris, and foreign material exposure that far exceeds what a show-bred or pet Springer encounters. Field-bred Springers need a rigorous post-work ear care protocol to counterbalance their intense environmental exposure.

The Springer Spaniel Ear Prevention Protocol

Weekly ear inspections and cleaning

Clean your Springer's ears at least once per week using a veterinary-approved ear cleaner with ceruminolytic properties. Because of their seborrhea-driven wax overproduction, many Springers benefit from cleaning every 5 to 7 days. Part the ear feathering to access the canal opening, fill with cleaning solution, massage the ear base for 20 to 30 seconds, let your dog shake, and wipe accessible areas with cotton balls. For detailed guidance, see our article on how often to clean your dog's ears.

Post-field and post-outdoor ear care

After every hunting outing, field trial, hike, or vigorous outdoor session, inspect and clean your Springer's ears. Check for foreign bodies (grass awns, plant material, burrs), remove any visible debris from the ear feathering, dry the inner ears thoroughly, and perform a cleaning if the ears are visibly dirty or wet. This post-activity routine is the single most important prevention measure for working Springers.

Post-water ear drying

After swimming, wading, or any water exposure, dry each ear thoroughly and apply an ear drying agent. The heavy feathering on Springer ears acts as a sponge, absorbing and retaining water that is then held against the ear canal for hours. This prolonged moisture exposure is one of the most common triggers for yeast infections in the breed. For more on water-related infections, see our guide on ear infections after swimming.

Ear feathering management

Have your groomer regularly trim the ear feathering to a manageable length that reduces moisture retention and debris trapping. For show Springers, this may need to balance breed standard requirements with ear health practicality. For field and pet Springers, keeping the ear feathering shorter improves ventilation significantly. Additionally, have any hair growing inside the ear canal trimmed or carefully managed at each grooming visit.

Seborrhea management

If your Springer has primary seborrhea (characterized by oily or flaky skin, a persistent odor, and excessive wax production), managing this condition systemically will significantly benefit ear health. Veterinary treatment options include antiseborrheic shampoos, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, and in some cases, retinoid therapy. Controlling the excess sebum and wax production reduces the nutrient supply that feeds yeast in the ear canal.

Allergy management

If your Springer shows signs of allergic dermatitis (seasonal itching, paw licking, recurrent skin infections), work with your veterinarian on an allergy management plan. Controlling allergic inflammation reduces one of the key drivers of ear infection recurrence. Options include anti-itch medications, allergy testing and immunotherapy, elimination diet trials, and environmental management strategies.

Treating Springer Spaniel Ear Infections

Step 1: Thorough cleaning

Springer ears often have significant wax accumulation due to seborrhea, and this debris must be removed before medication can be effective. Use a ceruminolytic ear cleaner to dissolve and flush wax and discharge. For severe infections with heavy impaction, a professional ear flush by your veterinarian under sedation may be necessary.

Step 2: Dual-action antimicrobial treatment

Springer ear infections frequently involve Malassezia yeast, often with concurrent bacterial involvement. A treatment combining ketoconazole (antifungal) with chlorhexidine gluconate (antiseptic) covers both pathogen types effectively. This simplified dual-action approach is practical for a breed that often requires frequent treatment courses. For home treatment guidance, see our home treatment guide.

Step 3: Extended treatment duration

Like Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels often require longer treatment courses (minimum 14 days) because their seborrhea-driven wax production and heavy ears make it difficult for medications to maintain therapeutic contact with infected tissue. Treat for at least 7 days beyond apparent clinical resolution, and confirm clearance with veterinary follow-up cytology before stopping. Premature treatment discontinuation is a primary driver of recurring infections in spaniels.

Maintenance therapy

For Springers with chronic ear problems, maintenance therapy with a medicated ear cleaner once or twice weekly between clinical infections is often the most effective strategy for reducing recurrence. This ongoing treatment keeps yeast and bacterial populations below the clinical threshold even when the breed's seborrhea and ear anatomy are continually creating favorable growth conditions.

Chronic Otitis in Springer Spaniels

The progression from acute to chronic ear disease follows the same pattern in Springer Spaniels as in Cocker Spaniels, but Springers have an additional complicating factor: their primary seborrhea causes ongoing glandular changes within the ear canal that accelerate the transition to chronic disease. Repeated infections cause epithelial hyperplasia, fibrosis, and stenosis, while the seborrhea drives continuous glandular hyperplasia and dysplasia. This double process can narrow the ear canal more aggressively than in breeds without seborrhea.

Early, consistent prevention is the best strategy for avoiding chronic ear disease in Springers. Once chronic changes develop, they are irreversible and progressively worsen. Understanding why dogs keep getting ear infections and addressing all contributing factors is critical for this breed.

When to See a Veterinarian or Dermatologist

See your veterinarian promptly if your Springer's infection does not respond to home treatment within 5 to 7 days, if there is significant swelling or pain, if the discharge is purulent or bloody, or if a sudden-onset unilateral infection suggests a foreign body (common in field dogs). A referral to a veterinary dermatologist is appropriate for Springers with more than 3 infections per year despite good prevention, for management of concurrent seborrhea and allergies, or when the ear canal shows signs of chronic changes requiring advanced assessment with video otoscopy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are English Springer Spaniels as prone to ear infections as Cocker Spaniels?

English Springer Spaniels are close but generally rank slightly below Cocker Spaniels in ear infection prevalence studies. Cockers have more extreme ceruminous gland hyperplasia and, in the American variety, longer ears. However, Springers compensate with their primary seborrhea predisposition and intense environmental exposure from their field dog heritage. Both breeds require the same high level of ear care commitment, and the prevention and treatment protocols are very similar.

Q: My Springer smells oily all the time, even after bathing. Is this related to ear infections?

Yes. A persistent oily odor is often a sign of primary seborrhea, which is common in Springer Spaniels. The same excess oil production that causes the body odor is happening inside the ear canals, creating the waxy, lipid-rich environment that feeds Malassezia yeast. Managing the seborrhea with antiseborrheic shampoos, dietary supplementation, and veterinary guidance will benefit both the coat and the ears.

Q: Should I trim my Springer's ear feathering to help prevent infections?

Trimming ear feathering can meaningfully improve ear ventilation and reduce moisture retention. For pet and field Springers, keeping the feathering shorter is one of the simplest and most effective prevention measures. For show Springers, discuss with your groomer how to balance breed standard requirements with ear health. Even moderate thinning of the feathering can improve airflow without dramatically changing the ear's appearance.

Q: How often should I clean my Springer Spaniel's ears?

Weekly cleaning is the minimum recommended frequency, and many Springer owners find that cleaning every 5 days is more effective given the breed's seborrhea-driven wax production. Always clean after water exposure, field work, or any activity that introduces significant moisture or debris to the ears. During active infections, daily cleaning for the first few days may be needed.

Q: My field-bred Springer gets ear infections after every hunting season. Can I prevent this?

A rigorous post-hunt ear care protocol is the most important prevention measure. Inspect and clean both ears after every field outing, check for foreign bodies, and dry the ears thoroughly before kenneling. Consider increasing your maintenance ear cleaning frequency to twice weekly during hunting season. Starting a maintenance therapy protocol with a medicated ear cleaner 1 to 2 weeks before hunting season begins can also help prepare the ears for the increased exposure.

Q: Can primary seborrhea be cured in Springer Spaniels?

Primary seborrhea is a genetic condition that cannot be cured, but it can be managed effectively with appropriate treatment. Management typically includes regular bathing with antiseborrheic shampoos, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, and in some cases, retinoid therapy or other medications. Consistent management of the seborrhea reduces the excess oil and wax production that fuels yeast growth in the ear canals. Work with your veterinarian or a veterinary dermatologist to develop a long-term management plan.

Sources

Saridomichelakis, M.N. et al., 'Aetiology of Canine Otitis Externa: A Retrospective Study of 100 Cases,' Veterinary Dermatology, Vol. 18, 2007.

Angus, J.C. et al., 'Breed Variations in Histopathologic Features of Chronic Severe Otitis Externa in Dogs,' JAVMA, Vol. 221, 2002.

Miller, W.H. et al., Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th ed., Elsevier, 2013.

Merck Veterinary Manual, 'Otitis Externa in Dogs and Cats,' Updated 2024.

Related Reading

• Why Is My Springer Spaniel So Itchy?
• Cocker Spaniel Ear Infections: Why This Breed Suffers Most
• Labrador Ear Infections: Why Labs Are So Prone
• Dog Ear Infections After Swimming
• Best Ear Cleaners for Dogs with Chronic Infections

Emiel Maddens

Founder of Vetified. Develops topical antifungal and antimicrobial formulations for companion animals. Vetified products are listed on DailyMed and manufactured through FDA-registered facilities in the United States.