"Kathleen" wrote in message
...
If the need for this sort of intervention seems unnatural it's because it
is. Poodles, and by extension, many of the various "Oodle" crosses are
subject to an abnormal growth of hair in the ear canal, an incidental side
effect of the genes creating the dense, curly coat. The extra hair traps
wax and moisture, predisposing the dog to ear infections.

Huh. The same problem exists with miniature schnauzers. Which would
clearly make it almost certain for any combination of the breeds.

Our miniature schnauzers get their ears plucked about every three weeks - or
roughly at their six week groomings and then halfway between. They don't
like being made to lie down to have it done but the actually pulling of the
hair doesn't bother them. Well, that's true of the ones deep down in the
ear. Once you get to the hairs further out - where you actually *could*
clip or trim them - there seem to be more nerves there. I would say there
aren't any nerves for pain deeper in.

If this is a problem with poodles, I wonder if the miniature schnauzers
inherited it when the standard schnauzer was bred down in size by the
introduction of poodles (among other breeds)?

I haven't ever asked if standard schnauzers need this ear hair pulling done.

The problem of infections within the ear can happen with any drop eared
dog - our beagles were always prone to it. We'd make sure their ears were
clean but never plucked hairs.

Our schnauzers have cropped ears - so no explanation via the drop ear
theory - but one of them in particular would definitely have recurrent
infections if we didn't stay vigilant.

Judy