Disclosure: Some links on this page go to companies that run affiliate programs. If ChocolateLabs.com joins those programs, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. Read our disclosure.
Check your Lab’s ears weekly, especially after swimming or baths. Clean when you see wax or smell odor, using a vet-approved cleaner, and avoid over-cleaning healthy ears. VetCompass found more ear infections in chocolate Labs, so stay alert to redness or head shaking. Answer page →
The data
In the VetCompass study, otitis externa (outer-ear infection) was the single most common disorder recorded in Labradors. Chocolates were affected markedly more often than black or yellow dogs (McGreevy et al., 2018).
Signs to watch for
Sign
What it can mean
Head shaking, scratching at ear
Itch or discomfort, the earliest sign
Brown, waxy or yellow discharge
Yeast or bacterial infection
Bad smell
Infection
Red, swollen ear canal
Inflammation, often allergy-driven
Head tilt, loss of balance
Possible middle or inner ear involvement. See a vet promptly
Why Labs are prone
Ear shape. Folded ears keep the canal warm and humid.
Water. Retrievers swim, and wet canals grow yeast.
Allergies. Environmental and food allergies often show up first as itchy ears and paws (Merck Veterinary Manual).
A prevention routine (after vet clearance)
After every swim or bath, gently dry the outer ear with cotton and apply a vet-recommended drying ear cleaner (dog ear cleaners on Chewy).
Fill the canal as the label directs, massage the base for 20–30 seconds, let your Lab shake, then wipe out. Never push swabs deep into the canal.
Weekly sniff test. A healthy ear is pale pink and doesn’t smell.
If infections recur, ask your vet about allergy workups. Treating the allergy is what breaks the cycle.
Cost and insurance angle
A single ear infection usually means an exam, ear cytology and medication. Chronic cases add allergy testing, prescription diets or long-term medication, which adds up over years. Ear infections are a classic example of a condition that becomes pre-existing and excluded if it shows up before you buy insurance. That’s why insuring early matters most for chocolates.
Floppy ears trap moisture, Labs swim a lot, and allergies are common in the breed. The VetCompass study found chocolates had the highest prevalence of the three colors, possibly due to breeding history.
Can I treat my Lab's ear infection at home?
Not safely without a diagnosis. Yeast, bacteria, mites and a ruptured eardrum all need different treatment. See your vet first, then use cleaners as directed.
How often should I clean my Lab's ears?
Many vets suggest checking weekly and cleaning after swimming or bathing, or as directed for dogs with recurring infections. Over-cleaning can irritate healthy ears.
Best Pet Insurance for Labrador Retrievers Best pet insurance for Labs: how Trupanion, Embrace, Lemonade and Fetch handle a Lab's big risks, and the policy clauses to check.
How Long Do Chocolate Labs Live? A UK study of 33,000+ Labs found chocolates lived a median 10.7 years vs 12.1 for black and yellow. What explains the gap and what extends a Lab's life.
