Ear plucking is the process of pulling or plucking out hair from inside a dogs ears using tweezers. It is believed that plucking excess hair will help keep the ear canal open and decrease the potential for ear infections. However, this is a controversial topic in the grooming world, and there are differing opinions on whether it is necessary or harmful. Some breeds, such as Poodles and Schnauzers, grow hair in their ear canal, and ear plucking was once considered a standard grooming procedure for these and similar breeds. However, it has been determined in recent years that ripping this hair out can cause microscopic tears in the ear canal, which can pave the way for bacteria to invade and cause infection. Therefore, some veterinarians no longer recommend every dog that grows hair in the ear canal have it plucked out. If your dog has chronic ear infections, plucking inside their ears can help with air circulation, which helps keep moisture in the ear at bay. However, if your dog does not suffer from recurring ear infections, there is no medical reason to pluck their ears as long as you keep them clean. If you or your veterinarian really want your dog’s ears plucked, it is recommended that you ask your veterinarian to pluck the ears. It is important to note that plucking a dogs ear hair can be painful for the dog, and some dogs may fight, wiggle, scream, or try to bite during the process. Therefore, it is recommended that you defer to your vet on whether a professional groomer is appropriate.