Ears turning white....

by Ada
(Ottawa, Canada)

My one year old springer spaniel has lovely, healthy liver colored ears- I've noticed in the last few months that his hair on his ears (starts at the top of his ear and dissipates as it gets lower down the ear flap) is coming in a silvery grey color. I've seen this on a few other spaniels, but all of them at a late age.....
What causes this and is there anything I can do to stop it?

Thanks

Comments for
Ears turning white....

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 05, 2013
Rating

springers ears turning white NEW
by: maggies mom

i am happy to hear that our springer is not the only one to have white ears. when she is groomed, i no longer have her ears shaved just cleaned up a bit. but, the color never did return.

Dec 30, 2012
Rating

grey springer ears NEW
by: cajun3694

We are having the same problem as many of you. Our 2 yo springer's ears have turned from liver to grey since her last grooming. I won't have them shaved again.

Aug 28, 2012
Rating

Grey ears NEW
by: Nadejacko

I was so surprised to come across this Page and realise my 2 year old springer is not the only one who's ears have turned a dull grayish colour. He has always had lovely rich dark Liver ears but as he's got closer to 3 years old they going more grayish by the day. We regularly clip him as he gets so long and is always in the water but this colour change has only happened on his ears so this makes me wonder is it just through him being clipped?.

Jan 26, 2012
Rating

ears turning white... NEW
by: maggies mom

hi there-
i have asked the groomer not to shave her ears from now on. but, her ears never did get their color bag. the groomer said that some dogs just have a tendancy to lose their color after grooming. i have a feeling the shaving somehow shocks and causes the loss of color. she said that show dogs have their ears dyed!!
my other springer never really had her ears shaved when she was groomed and her ears never changed color.
i saw a picture in a magazine, the springer had one white ear but, that was his natural coloring
so, im glad that my dog is not the only one as well.
aileen/maggies mom

Jan 26, 2012
Rating

My Male Springer NEW
by: Tana

Hello,
My 2 year old male spriger has the SAME ISSUE...it happened after his grooming visit, after his ears were shaved, started at the top and has progressed. They are GREY now..his sister "Ginger" (same litter) has never had her ears shaved, just trimmed, because her coat is not as dense and coarse as his. Her ears have not changed colors. The groomer said she has no idea what is causing it, I am glad he is not the only one with this problem. I am not going to have them shave the ears next time to see if that makes a difference..

Jun 06, 2011
Rating

my springer spaniels ears are turning white
by: maggie's mom

i asked the vet, he had no explanation. on her last visit to the groomer i asked why this had happened. the groomer said it was from the clippering (which is pretty much what i had thought). some dogs are more prone than others.
i was happy to know it is not a health issue.

Mar 28, 2011
Rating

my springer spaniels ears are turning white
by: maggie's mom

march 2011
we noticed the same thing on our springer when she was two years old (she is 3 now). after her visit to the groomer, her ears were white. starting at the top of the ear and gradually disappating going down her ears.
it must have something to do with genetics and im glad to know she is not the only one. i had asked the groomer/breeder but, she really had no explanation.
i am going to ask the vet on her visit this week and will post an explanation if i get one.
our springer recently had a blood test which did indicate that her thyroid was on the "underactive" side of within the normal range. im wondering if that would be an explantion

Mar 28, 2011
Rating

Feb 03, 2011
Rating

My dog has the same problem
by: Hilary

I have a springer spaniel who is going on 2 years old (in April) and after his last visit to the groomers, we noticed little gray patches behind his ears and it has progressively spread down his ears over the past few months. I'd love to know what the deal is (if it is anything beyond genetics) but it's nice to know my springer isn't the only one!

Apr 29, 2010
Rating

same issue.
by: Anonymous

Same exact thing is now happening to my 5 year old springer. Only in addition to the ears, the other liver colored spots are getting white/silver as well.

Jul 23, 2009
Rating

You have a Unique Dog
by: Anna@love-springer-spaniels

Hi there
This I have to admit is a first for me, but I have done a bit of research and asking around and it could be just genetics, just like some of us grey early so do dogs.

If you are really concerned then I would advise that you speak with your vet, otherwise enjoy your unique looking rather distinguished Springer.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Springer Spaniels FAQs