Ear infection (otitis externa) in dogs

Measured in 85 breeds across 8 sources. Figures are grouped by how they were measured, because those groups are not comparable with one another.

19.1%Highest recorded
85Breeds measured
$154Typical treatment cost

1-year clinical

Share of dogs recorded with the condition in a single year of veterinary records.

Not a lifetime risk. A dog that develops this at age 9 is not counted in a year it was not diagnosed.

  • Chinese Shar-Pei

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Shar Pei 2023, 2013 n = 1,913

    1,913 Shar Pei under UK primary veterinary care

    16.4% 14.7% to 18% $154 typical

  • French Bulldog

    clinical or cohort VetCompass 2018, 2016 n = 2,228

    2,228 French Bulldogs under UK primary veterinary care during 2013

    14% 12.6% to 15.5%

  • Bulldog

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Bulldog 2019, 2013 n = 206

    1,621 Bulldogs under UK primary veterinary care

    12.7% 11.1% to 14.4% $154 typical

  • English Cocker Spaniel

    clinical or cohort VetCompass English Cocker 2023, 2016 n = 10,313

    10,313 English Cocker Spaniels under UK primary veterinary care

    10.1% 8.9% to 11.3% $154 typical

  • Labrador Retriever

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Golden Retriever

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • German Shepherd

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Dachshund

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Poodle

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • German Shorthaired Pointer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Bulldog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Cane Corso

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Yorkshire Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Australian Shepherd

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Doberman Pinscher

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Miniature Schnauzer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Boxer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Pomeranian

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Bernese Mountain Dog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical
Show the other 43 breeds

  • Great Dane

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Boston Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Chihuahua

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Havanese

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Border Collie

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Shetland Sheepdog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Siberian Husky

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Brittany

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Belgian Malinois

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Cocker Spaniel

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Basset Hound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Vizsla

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Maltese

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Pug

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Collie

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Mastiff

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Rhodesian Ridgeback

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Papillon

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Portuguese Water Dog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Shiba Inu

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • West Highland White Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Newfoundland

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Australian Cattle Dog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Whippet

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Bichon Frise

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Dalmatian

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Giant Schnauzer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Italian Greyhound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Weimaraner

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Samoyed

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Scottish Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Bloodhound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Akita

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Saint Bernard

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Great Pyrenees

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Airedale Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Irish Setter

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Bullmastiff

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Chinese Shar-Pei

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Lhasa Apso

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Old English Sheepdog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Chow Chow

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2021, 2016 n = 22,333

    Random sample of 22,333 UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016

    7.3% 7% to 7.6% $154 typical

  • Boxer

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Boxer 2023, 2016 n = 230

    3,219 Boxers under UK primary veterinary care

    7.2% $154 typical

Lifetime, owner-reported

Share of dogs whose owners report the dog has ever had the condition.

Counts everything a dog has ever had, so it runs higher than a one-year rate and is not comparable with one.

  • Pug

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 36

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    19.1% 14.2% to 25.4%

  • English Springer Spaniel

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 27

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    18% 12.7% to 24.9%

  • Labrador Retriever

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 226

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    13.5% 11.9% to 15.2%

  • Shih Tzu

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 25

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    13% 8.9% to 18.4%

  • Poodle

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 58

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    12.5% 9.8% to 15.8%

  • Golden Retriever

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 179

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    12.2% 10.7% to 14%

  • Beagle

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 22

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    10.7% 7.2% to 15.6%

  • German Shepherd

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 55

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    9.1% 7% to 11.6%

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 15

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    8.8% 5.4% to 14.1%

  • Boston Terrier

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 12

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    7.5% 4.4% to 12.7%

  • Havanese

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 11

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    6.1% 3.5% to 10.6%

  • Boxer

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 12

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    6.1% 3.5% to 10.3%

Owner survey

Share of dogs whose owners reported the condition at one point in time.

Depends on owners noticing and recalling. Mild or resolved cases are undercounted.

  • Rhodesian Ridgeback

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    3.2% 1.7% to 6% $154 typical

  • Dalmatian

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    3% 1.7% to 5.5% $154 typical

  • West Highland White Terrier

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    2.9% 1.9% to 4.2% $154 typical

  • Poodle

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    2.4% 1.1% to 5.1% $154 typical

  • German Shepherd

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    2.1% 1.5% to 3% $154 typical

  • Rottweiler

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    1.9% 0.89% to 4.2% $154 typical

  • Labrador Retriever

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    1.6% 1.3% to 1.9% $154 typical

  • English Springer Spaniel

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    1.5% 1% to 2.1% $154 typical

  • Lhasa Apso

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    1.3% 0.59% to 2.8% $154 typical

  • Cocker Spaniel

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    1.2% 0.86% to 1.6% $154 typical

Where these figures come from

  • Dog Aging Project breeds 2023 Grade B

    Forsyth KK, McCoy BM, Schmid SM, Promislow DEL, Snyder-Mackler N, the DAP Consortium. Lifetime prevalence of owner-reported medical conditions in the 25 most common dog breeds in the Dog Aging Project pack. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2023;10:1140417.

    View source
  • VetCompass Shar Pei 2023 Grade A

    Is it now time to iron out the wrinkles? Health of Shar Pei dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2023.

    View source
  • VetCompass 2018 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Baral L, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Packer RMA. Demography and disorders of the French Bulldog population under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. 2018;5:3.

    View source
  • VetCompass Bulldog 2019 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Skipper AM, Kadhim J, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Packer RMA. Disorders of Bulldogs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013. PLOS ONE. 2019;14(6):e0217928.

    View source
  • VetCompass English Cocker 2023 Grade A

    Engdahl KS, Brodbelt DC, Cameron C, Church DB, Hedhammar A, O'Neill DG. Demography and disorders of English Cocker Spaniels under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2023;10:1.

    View source
  • VetCompass 2021 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, James H, Brodbelt DC, Church DB, Pegram C. Prevalence of commonly diagnosed disorders in UK dogs under primary veterinary care: results and applications. BMC Veterinary Research. 2021;17:69.

    View source
  • VetCompass Boxer 2023 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Skipper AM, Barrett K, Church DB, Packer RMA, Brodbelt DC. Demography, common disorders and mortality of Boxer dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2023;10:4.

    View source
  • KC survey 2017 Grade C

    Wiles BM, Llewellyn-Zaidi AM, Evans KM, O'Neill DG, Lewis TW. Large-scale survey to estimate the prevalence of disorders for 192 Kennel Club registered breeds. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. 2017;4:8.

    View source

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