Maintenance and Everyday Care of your Papillon

Bathing
The amount of baths your Papillon needs depends on
your life style.
Some pet dogs are very seldom bathed, but if they are
brushed at a regular time, they can stay very clean.
A sink, tub with a shower attachment and a non slip
surface to stand on , is all you need.
Avoid getting water in the ear canal.
(I do blow dry their hair after bathing , brush them,
and let them wear a sweater for a while, to keep
them from getting chilled.)
Always brush your dog before bathing.
Mats, not combed out, will only harden and tighten to
the point where cutting them is the only solution.

Trimming feet and hocks

Trimming the feet and hocks will make your Papillon not only
look better, but he will track less dirt into the house.
Trim around and under the feet and trim the long feathery hair
on the back of his legs a little; up his leg to his hock (heel bone) .
A trimmed hock will show off the dainty, elegant appearance of
your Papillon.

Long Life
Papillons are a breed of long lives if healthy.
16-20 years is not uncommon.
Before you adopt a Papillon you might
reconsider the long term commitment.
The Papillon can be a wonderful member of
the family for a long time.

Grooming

Regular brushing, combing, trimming and bathing, in
combination with dental care and nail trimming will
make your Papillon feel and look good.

The Papillon has a soft, silky coat with no "under coat",
that requires little grooming. The Papillons
long-haired coat, along with ear fringes look dramatic,
but require less grooming than most long-haired coats,
and they do not need professional grooming.

Brush/comb your dog a couple of times per week to
keep mats out, improve blood circulation and bonding!!
Pay attention to your Papillons culottes , the hair
under his belly, inner thighs and - most-around his ears.
These spots are matted easily .
Spray a little mist on him to prevent his hair from
breaking.
Start brushing him from the first day on to get him used
to it; no matter how long his coat is.
Wipe his ears with a soft damp cloth to remove dirt
and built-up wax.

Nail Clipping
If you can hear your Papillons nails
clicking on the floor, his nails are too
long. Make sure you know how to
identify the "quick" in each nail before
trimming the nails.
Perhaps a groomer or veterinary service
can show you how to trim his nails.

Feeding & Dietary Recommendations

Studies have proven that a balanced, high- quality diet is essential for the dog's behavior, activity level, and a
healthy coat.
.

Feed kibble rather than canned food for better dental maintenance, check the ingredients of the item and
choose those who produce chicken, beef, turkey, rather than "chicken by-products",
You’ll be surprised to learn that many leading dog food brands use animal by-products, corn gluten and
artificial preservatives.
Make sure that the 'real meat" is mentioned as the first, and, or second, ingredient (This is very important!)

All dogs like to have a little extras in their diet:
my Papillons get a little cottage cheese, fresh chicken, chicken liver with brown rice and vegetable, or fresh
farm egg bits and pieces. They like berries for treats, semi cooked pasta, whole grain bred.....
All of this in small quantities, and earlier in the day time, so they don't "sleep on it"
go to: Weight Gain Diet & Tips for Papillons and other small Toy Dogs

Dental Health/Care

Papillons, like all other Toy Breeds should get their teeth
cleaned once per year.
They have a full set of teeth in a tiny muzzle, the buildup of
bacteria happens fast and leads to teeth loss, and can lead to
liver, kidney and heart problems.