Weightloss Diet for Papillons, Phalenes, overweight Dogs.

Small breed dogs, like your Papillon, Phalene are easily over- pampered, spoiled, by giving him too many snacks, goodies, and leaving his food all day out for him to nibble on.
So, you ended up with an overweight Papi, or even obese Papillon.
If you are not sure, test, by stroking along the sides of his body. Do you fee his ribs? If you have troubles to feel his ribs, then your dog is at least plump.

Plump, fat, overweight, obese dogs are just as unhealthy as people are in that situation; leading to kidney problems, heart disease, you name it.
And like in people, the main reason  that your Papillon is overweight, is: over feeding. Too many calories.
Buy him kibbles, offered as light dog food.  Buy him a very good, nutritious , quality light food. you must read the labels very carefully. the first ingredient should be chicken or turkey, not fillers like corn.
I can recommend Purina One Healthy Weight Formula( first ingredient is turkey), available in groceries shops. Read the instructions on the bag, select the amount of your dogs supposed weight, take a measuring cup, fill in the exact amount of food for the day. feed twice/day, leave out for 29 minutes or so, and than take away the food.
And, as hard as it is: absolutely no snacks!!
Do not forget the exercise your Papi needs. Exercise will improve your dog's muscle tone, metabolism, and weight.
 It might do you good yourself walking your dog. A dog is the best exercise program there is!!

Or: you can always bring your Papi to Road's End for a week, and we send him on that famous field out there to the daily ball game. He will be skinny in no time.

Open Fontanle (Fontanelle) in Papillons, Phalenes & other Toy Breeds

As in a human, the dogs skull is made out of several bones, shaped like plates.These bones are first soft, just like in a human baby, and are somewhat separated from each other. Most dogs have these plates closed at birth,or will usually close when the puppy is 4-6 weeks of age, or may close slowly over  three to six month period.
The  plates harden as the puppy grows,fusing to each other, and closing in the brain. The plates meet in the center, on top of the skull, and this center, the fontanel (fontanelle) is the last open space to close.
It can happen, that the fontanelle never closes, therefore leaving a whole in the skull.
Prevalent are toy breeds, especially: Chihuahuas, Maltese, Pomeranians and Yorkshire Terriers. But Papillons, Phalenes are not excluded.
 In Chihuahuas, the fontanel, remains unclosed and this does not harm the dog.
If you detect an open fontanell in your puppy, make sure to give him a thorough check up at 5-6 months. Consult your veterinarian, to make sure that there are no  underlying birth-defects, such as Hydrocephalus.

There is no treatment for an open fontanel. Be careful,and  particularly aware, as to the sensitivity of this area .  Avoid touching the area due to the potential for accidentally damaging brain tissue.
 However, keep in mind that many dogs with an open fontanel live normal active lives.
Dogs with an open fontanell should not be bred.