Entropion, where a dog’s eyelid rolls inward and pushes fur against the eye surface, is largely a genetic condition, so true prevention starts before a puppy is born. For dogs already at risk or showing early signs, prevention shifts to catching it early, treating underlying eye irritation quickly, and intervening before the cornea is damaged. Here’s what you can do at each stage.
Why Some Dogs Get Entropion
The most common form in dogs is primary or developmental entropion, caused by the inherited shape of a dog’s eyelids, eye sockets, or facial skin folds. Certain breeds have skull and skin structures that make inward eyelid rolling almost inevitable. A large UK study found that Shar-Peis had the highest rate by far, with about 15% affected annually, and were 92 times more likely to be diagnosed than the average dog. Chow Chows came next at roughly 9%, followed by Neapolitan Mastiffs, Clumber Spaniels, Saint Bernards, and English Bulldogs.
Secondary entropion develops later in life from external causes. Chronic eye infections, allergies, conjunctivitis, or corneal ulcers can trigger intense squinting (blepharospasm), which forces the eyelid inward. If this squinting persists, the tissue can scar into a permanently rolled position. Older dogs can also develop entropion when the tissues around the eye lose volume or the eyelids become lax with age. These secondary forms are the ones most within your control to prevent.
Responsible Breeding Is the First Line of Defense
Because developmental entropion is inherited, the single most effective prevention strategy happens at the breeding level. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) runs an Eye Certification program where board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists screen dogs using specialized equipment. Dogs are examined after pupil-dilating drops, and results are graded into two categories: “NO,” meaning the dog should not be bred, or “BREEDER OPTION,” meaning caution is advised. There are ten eye disorders that automatically disqualify a dog from certification.
If you’re buying a puppy from a breed predisposed to entropion, ask the breeder whether both parents have current OFA Eye Certifications. Breeders who screen their dogs and remove affected animals from their breeding programs are actively reducing the incidence of entropion in future generations. A guide dog program studying Labrador Retrievers demonstrated this principle: by combining selective breeding with early surgical correction, they tracked measurable progress in reducing entropion rates across generations.
Breeds With the Highest Risk
If you already own or are considering one of these breeds, awareness is your best tool. The breeds with the strongest statistical predisposition include:
- Shar-Pei (by far the highest risk, with roughly 1 in 6 affected)
- Chow Chow
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Clumber Spaniel
- Saint Bernard
- English Bulldog
Other commonly affected breeds include Boxers, Bull Mastiffs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Pugs, and Irish Setters. Owning one of these breeds doesn’t guarantee entropion will develop, but it means you should be checking your dog’s eyes regularly and acting quickly if you notice signs.
Spotting It Early in Puppies
In that guide dog study, puppies were diagnosed with entropion at a median age of just 6.7 weeks. That’s remarkably young, which means signs can appear almost as soon as a puppy’s eyes open and the facial structure starts filling out. Watch for excessive tearing, discharge, squinting in one or both eyes, or a visible inward curl of the eyelid margin. Puppies may paw at their face or keep one eye partially closed.
For puppies in high-risk breeds, your vet may recommend a temporary procedure called eyelid tacking. Small stitches hold the eyelid in a more natural position while the puppy’s face is still growing and changing shape. This is typically done between 5 and 12 months of age. Some puppies outgrow the tendency as their skull matures, and tacking buys time to see if permanent surgery will be needed. It’s a minor procedure that can spare the cornea from months of irritation during a critical growth window.
Preventing Secondary Entropion
Secondary entropion is the form you have the most power to prevent, because it develops from treatable conditions rather than genetics. The key principle: any source of chronic eye pain or irritation can trigger squinting severe enough to roll the eyelid inward. If that squinting lasts long enough, the eyelid tissue remodels and the entropion becomes permanent.
Allergies are a common culprit. Dogs with environmental or food allergies often develop itchy, inflamed eyes and chronic conjunctivitis. Keeping allergies well managed reduces the amount of time your dog spends squinting and rubbing at its face. Similarly, corneal scratches from rough play, foxtails, or debris should be treated promptly rather than left to “wait and see.”
Routine eye hygiene helps, especially in breeds with prominent skin folds or long facial hair. Use a warm, damp cloth to gently clean discharge from around the eyelids. Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed short so it doesn’t drag across the eye surface and trigger irritation. These simple habits reduce the chronic low-grade inflammation that can snowball into spastic entropion over time.
What Happens if Prevention Isn’t Enough
When entropion does develop despite your best efforts, corrective surgery is highly effective. In the Labrador Retriever study, surgical repair was successful without recurrence in about 91% of cases. The prognosis is excellent when surgery happens before the cornea is damaged.
The risk of waiting too long is corneal injury. Eyelashes and fur scraping against the eye surface can cause ulcers, which a vet can detect by applying a fluorescent dye that sticks to damaged areas. Untreated corneal ulcers lead to scarring that can permanently impair vision. In some dogs, entropion stays mild and is more of an annoyance than a serious threat. In others, it progresses quickly. The difference often comes down to how early it’s caught.
Signs that entropion may be causing corneal damage include a cloudy or bluish tint to the eye surface, increased squinting or holding the eye shut, heavy tear staining, and visible redness. If your dog already has entropion and you notice any worsening of these signs, that’s a signal the cornea may be breaking down.
A Practical Prevention Checklist
- Before getting a puppy: Choose breeders who screen for eye disorders through the OFA Eye Certification program, particularly in high-risk breeds.
- During puppyhood: Watch for squinting, tearing, or eyelid rolling starting as early as 6 to 8 weeks. Ask your vet about eyelid tacking if signs appear before the face has finished growing.
- Throughout your dog’s life: Treat eye infections, allergies, and injuries promptly. Keep facial hair trimmed and eyes clean. Don’t ignore chronic squinting or discharge.
- In senior dogs: Be aware that age-related tissue changes can cause late-onset entropion even in breeds not typically predisposed. Regular vet exams become more important as your dog ages.