Papillons – Tips and critical information you need to know
Description and General Appearance
A Papillon is a toy spaniel that has a butterfly look, and the name Papillons is from the French word for butterfly. They usually have small heads, large dropped ears, long tail, short muzzle with round eyes that are dark and medium sized. They also have a single coat of fur that is long and covers the legs, ears and chest.
These dogs have fringed like hair on the ears which makes them distinct from the other types of spaniels. They come in two colors of white and either black, sable, silver, red, or lemon, and tanish black.
Their coat, although single is flowing, silky, fine, long and abundant. It is downy soft but of resilient quality
Basic Temperament
The Papillon temperament makes them perfect with kids, other pets and even strangers. They are affectionate, playful and energetic as well. Being intelligent dogs they can learn new things in a short period of time. They are fragile and must be handled with extra care so do not let small children hold them. However if they feel that they are isolated or separated from the household they might become aggressive.
They have enough energy to remain active with the family yet they also hold calmness during rest hours and are perfect as companion dogs. They are not shy and are adventurous, friendly and happy types of dogs.
Care Required
Papillon care requires regular brushing because of their long coat. Also brush their teeth with toothpastes that are recommended for pets, not those that are used by you. Make sure that you keep them well fed and that you watch out for any signs of obesity in your pet. It is also important that you put away things that are within your Papillions’ reach. They are very curious and will take anything that they see and claim it.
They also shed a lot, so brushing is a requirement for these breeds. It must be done at least twice or three times a year. Matting must also be avoided so brushing in the ear and stomach areas are very important. The teeth must also be cleaned to avoid tartar build-up. Give it a bath using a dry shampoo and as frequently as necessary.
Exercise Requirements
Papillons exercise requires them to walk to avoid getting fat and suffering from health problems. You can walk with them on a lightweight and short leash and play with them from time to time.
Training Tips
It is best to Train Papillons while they are young so that you can teach them how to obey you properly. Their high intelligence and affectionate nature makes them easy to train in a short period of time.
Height and Weight
They weigh around 5-10 pounds and their height is around 11 to 12 inches. Height to the shoulder blade should be around 8-11 inches.
Health and Longevity
With proper exercise, care and diet, Papillons can live from 12 to 15 years. Their biggest enemy is hypoglycemia that results in seizures, fainting and weakness. In cases of emergency you can give your pet a teaspoon of honey before bringing it to the vet. This will help raise their sugar level up.
They suffer from a retinal disorder called “PRA” (“progressive retinal atrophy”) and knee problem known as “patellar luxation”. If PRA is left unaddressed, it will lead to blindness in your dog, so be vigilant in watching out for this problem.
Suitability as a Pet
Papillons do not require much space but like any other dog they need time to go out and exercise. They are perfect for older children and adults but not for smaller children as these breeds are delicate and easily injured.
For more information about Papillons, check out the highly recommended The Insider’s Complete Guide to the Papillon package today!
Other Informative Articles:
• SAVE 42% off the normal price of DIY Dog Training for Papillons
• Dog Obedience Training For Your Papillon
• Dog Eye Infection in Papillons – An Explanation and Treatments
• Little Packages with Big Barks: Papillon Dog Barking Training
They contain some great Papillon information.
All the best.
