You Ask: How to trim Papillons/Phalenes Paws-Feet.

Unfortunately get to I see many images of Papillons with paws looking like those in the pic below:

Please, do your dog a favor and trim his paws; especially between his toes, as well his pads (underneath). Your Pap will have better traction, bring less dirt into your home. Moisture on his paws will dissipate more quickly.
U ask how to trim the paws of my Papillon/Phalene.
First, let me mention that I am not a professional groomer.
I will show you here my:"make do" style. I do brush and take care of my Papi's feet often, but I am not a perfectionist, and not a groomer.
But they always look neat and clean to the most part, and I have gotten a lot of compliments on their clean looks.

I am not going here into nail clipping either. The best is for you to have that shown at a vet's office, or grooming place. But if you do know already have experience in nail clipping but your dog gives you trouble to let you get to his paws by wiggling and jumping, a dog grooming hammock might be the solution to the problem.

Sometimes I use just the shears, and sometimes I use the clippers + shears. So, if you just have a nice, sharp set of shears, it will do. But be careful not to cut into the paw pads!!

Trim all hair around the paw, in an oval shape, just like the paw's shape is. Some people prefer to leave some of the hair above the tows a little longer, to show the "spaniel breed" in the dogs. I prefer to round it off all the way.

The hair between the paw pads should be trimmed. It will also drag less dirt into your house.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 A paw done in a hurry. But it works!!
To have your Papillon's dainty small legs, and paws show their best appearance, you should incorporate the "hock trimming".
Article and pics coming later.....

Papillon, Phalene, U Ask: Short Hair vs Long Hair

I re-posted the following post a few years ago.

The Paps you see here are all older now, or no longer living with us.

You are asking often about Short Haired Papillons. So, let me focus here on both kinds:
Some Papillons have a shorter hair coat, others have a longer coat.
There are several factors involved, such as why, and how short/long the hair is on a full grown Papillon, or Phalene.

• Genetics; have a look at your Papillons Pedigree, and photos of his parents, grandparents, and down the line.
• Climate: if you live in the tropics with him, do not expect the same hair length, or hair volume, as the dog of your friend in Alaska.
• Diet: a poor-quality diet produces a poor hair coat. 
• Maintenance: regular brushing and bathing helps to a shiny coat on your dog, regardless of length, and will support hair growth/length of a longer coat.
• Neutered vs not- neutered: a neutered dog grows much nicer hair, he/she does not have to go through the constant hormone changes, whelping, litter, and stress from heat cycles.
• Play-time: especially here with a look at his ear fringes and culottes (hair on his hind legs). The more your Papillon gets to play with other dogs, the more fringes, and other hair will get ripped out, or damaged, broken.

Praline, with all her hair & fringes requires daily brushing.
Praline is spayed and is not very interested in playing with other dogs. 

Pros and Cons: more brushing to do on a long hair coated papi, more maintenance overall.
The original Papillon was meant to be a wash and go dog. Next to no maintenance.
Do you want to deprive your dog of play, so just that he will grow longer hair?

Matti is a low maintenance dog, only her fringes need attention more often.

My Road's End Papi Story:
I have Papillons with long and shorter hair coats. The long hair dogs are high maintenance, I love their coats, but I pay for it. There is always a chance, as my Praline did, that they choke on their own fringes, or their chest hair gets caught in their teeth.

Our tiger Man wears a bandanna, he gets his chest hair frequently tangled in his teeth.
Tiger is a high maintenance dog; he has a lot of hair (dense). Needs frequent baths with brushing.

All my dogs get to play, so that in the beginning they do not show too much fringe. When they get older, they play less, and everything starts to grow better on them.
Some of my dogs wear little bandannas, which keep their chest hair cleaner and more away from their mouth. I tried snoods for their ear fringes before, but again, you will have to restrict your dog pretty much from playing with other dogs. In our case, the snoot was removed right away by other dogs while at play.
(A snood is nothing but a tube with elastic band on both ends. The tube goes over his head. (A snoot is a different thing))

Phalene Blitz has nice long hair, but it is very silky and not so dense. He requires some brushing and bathing. Very little sticks to his fur.

Brolle is a high maintenance dog. Everything sticks to his dense hair coat. His groin area needs to be bathed frequently and brushed; his fringes need to be addressed daily.

Practical, affordable, & accessible raw food for cats and dogs at RawPawsPetFood.com

You Ask: How to trim Papillons/Phalenes Hocks.

In continuation to "how to trim a Papillon's paws" which should include his hocks.

Comb your dogs hair straight out from his hocks,

trim evenly a little off, and as well around his paws.

This should be the end result:

p.s. he is just standing the other way around. it's the same lower leg.

You Ask: Jogging, Running with Papillons.

Many of you ask, if you can jog with a Papillon, or Phalene.
 Look at yourself first; establish the level of your fitness program.
Are you running long distance, or just a mile or two, here and there.?
Toy breeds are not for long, or endurance running. Think how small they are, and those little legs!!
And have a look at the Papillon, or Phalene, you already have. Does he weigh only 4 LBS, is he one of those ever wanted tiny sizes? Not suitable!!! Not all Papillons are agile, fast, and fit. Just like people.
But if you enjoy jogging 2-3 times per week for a couple of miles, you may be able to train your Paplloni to come along,- on a cool day.

But you have to train him to reach that level of fitness, just like you did with yourself.
Start with small distances, bring water for him, and observe how he performs.
He will give you all the signs after a few times, whether he is, or will be "fit" for this.

If you are looking for a new Papillon , Phalene puppy in your live to jog with, don't get one from a litter of underweight papis, or advertised "teacup" puppies. All those are much too small, and too frail to do such thing with.
Papillons, Phalenes come in sizes between 8-11 inches (AKC breed standard). Get a larger puppy, with a little more weight, and heavier bone structure.
High energy breeds, work breeds, such as mid size of 40-50 LBS are the best for runners.

U-Ask: How to detect Ear Mites , in Dogs,Papillons, Phalenes

You ask:  How to detect Ear Mites , in Dogs,Papillons, Phalenes.

Ear mites are little  external parasites that can infect your dog. They live on the body and in the ears of canines, but most frequently infect the ears.
Dogs that are afflicted with ear mites will typically scratch at the ears excessively and shake their heads, even pulling out their own hair as they scratch.
Also, an infection by ear mites often produces a dark discharge, and a strong odor from the afflicted pet's ears.
If you have more than 1 dog, watch out, this type infection is highly contagious.

Dogs that are most susceptible to ear mite infections include young dogs and those that live in shelters or that have been abandoned. Puppies tend to be more susceptible because they have not yet built up any resistance to these insects. Adult dogs, only other hand, generally have developed a resistance which helps to protect them from these troublesome and irritating infections.
There are several products to treat ear mites, available in pet stores, feed stores, or your veterinarian.
Complications may arise when an animal is not treated , and has an immune hypersensitivity reaction that results in intense irritation of the external ear.
Some dogs will shake their heads so much that an hematoma of the ear will form (with blood pooling in the ear due to breakage of a blood vessel). Also a concern is when dogs will scratch at their ears to the point that damage is done to the ear canals or ear drums.

U Ask: When are Growth Plates closed in a Papillon, Dog,

(Original posted in 2009!!)


In continuation of Dukes Leg Fracture surgery, a frequent question comes up:
When will the growth plates close in a young Papillon, Phalene,  Dog?
The leg bones grow from areas located near their ends. These soft areas of immature bone are called growth plates. Calcium and minerals harden the soft area, and when the process of hardening is complete, growth stops. This will happen in most dogs around 12 -16 month.
Papillon dogs are to the most part full grown at around 8 months, after that they will "fill in "gain muscle, gain on weight.
Before the growth plates close, they can be injured or fractured more easily than mature bone. An injury to the growth plate can cause the bone to stop growing or to grow incorrectly.
We are very lucky, that Dukes growth plates where not injured.
It is best not to expose your young Papillon to High Impact Exercises, such as:

• Jogging (especially over hard ground, such as concrete)
• Frisbee playing (Leaping after flying disks or over jumps)

If you have a Papillon, Phalene, Toy Dog ,  (weigh less than 25 LBS) you can begin playing and exercising those mentioned activities at around 9 months, since your youngster has stopped growing.  All other dogs have to wait at least 'till they are about 15- 18months old, pending on their size, and weight.

When to Spay, Neuter Papillon, Phalene Dogs

The question of when to spay or neuter our beloved Papillon Dogs pops up frequently, and here are some thoughts to it:

I hear that some people get advised to neuter their dog  already at the age of 12 weeks; but my advice, even though I am not a veterinarian, is to wait with your little girl or boy until it reaches the age of 6-10 months, pending on the individual development, body weight, and over-all stamina of your puppy.
The hormones our dogs produce are in every aspect necessary for their development.
Here are some case- scenarios I came across, or heard of, when the little puppy girl, or boy was neutered before being sexual mature:

• Girls (bitches) may "dribble" constantly at a later age, because the urethra did not have a chance to develop properly, and the appropriate muscles are not able to control the urine.
• Boys (dogs) tend to grow too much leg than they should, their chest may stay narrow, under-developed. And they may have problems with urinary stones because their urethra is also underdeveloped, hence not large enough. 

Dog's Coat, Undercoat, Fur Coat, Hair Coat, Single Coat, Double Coat

U ask:
Are Papillons double coated, difference between single coat and double coat:

A dog is either double coated or single coated.
Coat describes the hair (fur) on the dog's body.
The term hair coat describes a dog with a single coat (no under coat).
The term fur coat describes a dog with a double coat.
Under coat describes a layer of softer, lighter, down-like fur on a dog, below the coarser top layer of fur.

Most dogs shed their undercoat in the spring and grow it back for the next cold winter season.It is also referred as blowing the coat.
Many breeds shed their coat twice/year, and in some (warmer) climates, the coat (top coat + under coat) , may shed continuously and varies quantities.

The Papillon and Phalene are dogs with a hair coat (single hair coat with no under coat).

U Ask: Ticking, Brown, Black Spots in Papillons + Phalenes

U Ask:  Brown, Black Spots in Papillons + Phalenes.

All dogs have about 10 genes which affect its color. Each gene is in a different chromosome, and therefor are independent from each other.
The T Locus is responsible for those brown, black spots. It calls ticking, or freckling.
The amount of ticking varies from none to all over the body. In Papillons, Phalenes it usually occurs on their legs and muzzle.
Ticking is not seen at birth, but can be seen as early as a few weeks of age or later at one-two years of age.

How to give a Papillon, Phalene, (small) dog a Pill.

U Ask  :  How to give a Papillon, Phalene, (small) dog a Pill.

Take the pill and chop-, grind it into either small pieces, or powder .

Take your dogs kibbles, mix with a little bit of delicious canned food, sprinkle the converted pill onto the food and mix.
If your dog is sick, will not eat, try to roll the pill in some extra goodies; as cheese, turkey, chicken;
just a small, bean size roll.
If that does not work, go to the least desired technique:

(small pill only) stick your finger tip in a P nut jar, the push the pill on to that finger tip, open his mouth, put the pill way back into his mouth, close quickly, lightly, keep your hands around his muzzle, wait 'till he licks his chops (that is a sign that he swallowed the pill, and is not hiding it to spit out later, when you don't see it!!)

U ask: Papillon/Phalene Grooming: which brush to use

In reference my the recent post : Papillon, Phalene Hair, Coat, Fur Development
You are asking:

• What kind of a brush I am using.

So, here it is: my Walmart special:

The next question was:

• What to do about the snags that gets into the dogs hair.

I try first to hand pick on them. One hair strand at the time. It's a tedious thing, but it 's a lot better than getting to the last solution: cutting the snag out.
So, have a seat, turn the TV on and pick, grab the hair in layers from the bottom up, brush one layer, then the next, when you get to the snag, pull one very small hair bundle out at the time.
I have used since a long time a horse product calls:
Show Sheen. There are also other-, numerous products in this group available.
When sprayed on the snag, it will soften the hair, and coat it. It will come undone much easier. Hair Conditioners also will help you.
Regularly brushing is the very best prevention to snags. Look at brushing as a "bonding" time with your friend!!

 

 

U Ask: Is my Papillon, Dog allowed to lick his incision after surgery?

Our 6.5 months old boy Boulee was neutered yesterday.
That brings up a frequently asked question:

 

Is is OK to allow my Papillon, dog, pet, to lick on his incision?
The answer is NO, and here are the reasons, why not.
Licking:

• Can cause an infection
• Can remove the stitches from the wound, and open up the incision.
• Process of healing may be delayed.
• Can develop into a nervous habit.

Check the post operative wound frequently, he may be licking, when you don't see it. If the wound is red, or inflamed, it's time to get into action, to stop your babe from licking.

• Have a E (Elizabethan) collar already stashed away for those occasions, and place it around his neck. Available on line, or Pet shops.
• A T shirt, or his own clothing, you have, would be good to cover up a incision on his chest, or upper abdomen.
• A sock, tube sock, or bandage would be good for a wound on a limb.

Boulee's story:
He started licking his wound, as soon, as he arrived home.
I did had a E collar  ready for him, but it turned out not to be his size. The diameter of the collar did not exceed beyond his jaw.

So, I made a "make do" E collar.
Here is, what I did.
I took cardboard (school supplies) not too thick, not too thin. (An old X ray film would be better)
Draw the appropriate circle, and an inner circle for the neck, cut a slit, lay it around his neck, and tape back together.

I will have a new E collar in a couple of days.

Boulee is still looking for a loving family to be with. He comes with the guarantee to full fill your dreams of having a small, loyal, most snugly, and hug gable little being. He is clean, calm, playful, patient; walks on lead, has been in cars, and public. You will have a for-ever friend.

You Ask: Symptoms of Heatstroke, Hyperthermia, in Papillons, Phalenes, Dogs

U ask: Symptoms of Heatstroke, Hyperthermia in Papillons.

Papillons and other small dogs have low body mass that make them lose heat easier.
Big dogs have the bigger chance to get a heatstroke, than a small dog, but if any dog's temperature reaches about 101 degrees, he will no longer be able to maintain his normal body temperature. At 106 degrees, you got only minutes to safe his life, because his internal organs are in the breakdown process.If he is not cooled down quickly, he will die. Even at that stage, if you did bring his temperature down, he may already have suffered irreversible internal damage.
To regulate his temperate, the only tool your friend has is : panting. He will have an enlarged tongue while panting, when hot.. This helps to increase the surface area through which heat can be dissipated.

If it is a hot and humid day, he is unable to cool his body effectively, and as a result his temperature rises rapidly.
Symptoms of a Heatstroke

• Pale gums, bright red tongue;
• Disorientation and your dog doesn't respond to his name;
• Increased heart rate;
• Thick saliva;
• Vomiting;
• Breathing difficulties;
• Collapse;
• Coma;
• Death

Papillons, Phalenes Prone to Heatstroke

• Young puppies and older dogs;
• Overweight dogs;

• Dogs with an existing illness or recovering from illness or surgery;

Treatment of Heatstroke
Some  techniques to cool your dog  includes spraying him down with cool water, or immersing his entire body in cool – not cold – water; wrapping the dog in cool, wet towels;  cooling with fans; Stop these procedures when temperature reaches 103° F (using a rectal thermometer) to avoid dropping below normal body temperature.
Do not give your dog  ice or very cold water, as this may cause blood vessels near the surface of the body to constrict and may decrease heat dissipation. A shivering response also is undesirable, as it creates internal heat. Lowering the temperature too quickly can lead to other health problems, a gradual lowering is best. The same guideline applies to drinking water. Allow your dog to drink cool, not cold, water freely. However, do not force your dog to drink.
The very best is always to prevent a heatstroke.

Preventing a Heatstroke

Papillons especially do not always know when to stop.

• Try and keep your dog's activity to a minimum particularly on hot and humid days;
• Exercise early morning best, or late at night on hot days.

If possible keep your dog indoors during the the hot day in a well ventilated or air conditioned room.

U Ask: Is buying a 12 week old Papillon /Phalene puppy OK, or is it already attached emotionally to it's previous owner (breeder)?

Since I still can not answer questions in the comment box in my Google accounts name, I will post this interesting question here:
You ask:

Is buying a 12 week old Papillon /Phalene puppy OK, or is it already attached emotionally to it's previous owner (breeder)?

Many puppies are kept with their breeders 12-15 months, and longer. Papillon puppies have in general no problems to adjust to their new life style with someone else, even later on in life, as mature dogs. As long you provide them with what their needs are.
The later time is also very good in selecting a puppy with a matching personality, of your life style. Even though the temperament is already recognizable at 6-8 weeks, it becomes much clearer, and definite at 12 weeks or older.

The reason why many breeders hold on to their puppies longer is, that they want to see better what they want to keep for their breeding program to improve their line.
But think of it: you also will see much better what you get. For instance, the weight of a Papillon/Phalene @ 12 weeks doubled, is the approximate weight of your papillon puppy selection as an adult.
Many times, the ears of a Papillon are not "up" at 8 weeks of time, or one is up, one is down. Of course, this can go on up to 4 months, and longer, but in most circumstances at 12-15 weeks the ears are set, up for a Papi, down for a Phalene.

U Ask: Can small dog eat big dog food.

Your Papillon, Phalene, or any other Toy Breed, can eat dog food , made for larger breed of dogs, but it is advisable to give him kibbles made for his small mouth and tummy.
Here are the reasons why:
Toy, and small breeds in general have  much larger energy requirements (per pound of body weight), than their medium + large brothers.
The energy requirements for your Papillon, or small breed puppy is 2-4 times higher than of it's adult version.
Puppies, especially in their first 6 months,  also need more minerals and protein in their diet, for their bone + teeth development.
Small dogs have small stomachs, but they need to eat large amounts of food in relation to their size/ body weight. They need small meals, given several times / day, to fulfill these requirements.

Kibbles, in bite -size, is the best dog food for our small companions. 

You Ask: Small dogs vs Big dogs

You are asking about the difference of small dogs, vs big dogs. Here are some differences:

Big dogs carry more fat reserves and have a greater heat storage ability than little dogs (surface to volume -ratio)Puppies for instance do not have the body mass to be able to survive rapid dehydration, and adult, or big, dogs tolerate better low temperatures.Small dogs have low body mass that make them lose heat easier. Even the long haired doggies can not adjust their body heat as well as larger breeds.

Small dogs have smaller stomachs and small appetites. You will need to make sure your dog gets the proper nutrition in his small meals. Feed more often (3x per day) and provide high- calorie,with sufficient nutrition.Small dogs need more calories to maintain their body heat: they produce less heat than big dogs, and radiate more of their surface (skin).

U Ask: Is my over sized Papillon, Phalene a mixed breed.( Papillon, Phalene size)

The AKC Breed Standard disqualifies Papillons, Phalenes over 12 inches; the European Papillon is only accepted  a hair taller, and bigger, but not by much.

So, does this mean your 14 inch tall Papillon, or Phalene is a mix breed?

Look at it like this: the Papillon, Phalene , a 500 year old breed is originated from other Spaniels, which all are bigger dogs than these little toy spaniels.
So, one might get out of the best Papillons, Phalenes, a larger dog, than what the standard calls for. Papillons do carry those genes. The breeder of your Papi might have put together big/tall + big/tall. The chances that they produce big/tall are ,what do you think?
If you know the parents, grandparents of your Papillon, and he looks exactly like a Papillon, and has all the traits of a Papillon, then you do have a Papillon. 

Big, and tall Papillons, Phalenes make excellent agility dogs, and are great in many of the performance dog sports.

You Ask: Name of Louis XIV Papillon. (History of Papillons)

Your question of what the name is of King LouisXV Papillon, needs a little bit of further historical explanation:
It is thought that both Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour helped the Papillon become fashionable and they both admired and owned this breed.

Madame de Pompadour

 Madame de Pompadour was the mistress of King Louis XV, and owned Inez and Mimi which were her two pet Papillons.
Marie Antoinette had a Sevres porcelain model of a Phalene (Papillon with drop ears) in her room that was only found after her death..

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette is said to have walked to the guillotine clutching her small dog under her arm  . 
Marie Antoinette's dog was a small spaniel that had been brought to the French court from Spain on the back of pack mules. According to the story, her pup was spared and cared for in a building in Paris still called the Papillon House.
Marie Antoinette's dog was said to have descended from a very old drop-eared breed known as the Epagneul Nain Continental, or Continental Dwarf/Toy Spaniel that appeared in church frescos and paintings as early as the 13th century .
 Her house in Paris, France is known today as The House of the Papillon.

 Toward the end of the 19th century, breed fanciers bred a version of the spaniel whose ears stood up. This dog was said to have been nicknamed papillon based on the impressively large, erect ears that resembled the wings of a butterfly. The drop-eared variety of the breed came to be called the Phalène (which means "night moth"). Both types may today appear in the same litter..

You Ask :Dog-Papillon-Phalene Drooling, Exessive Drooling

You ask: Why is my dog all of a sudden drooling more than normal:
If you see your Papillon, or Phalene all of a sudden drool more than he normally does, expect that there is something wrong with him; even though it could be a minor problem.

The best thing to do is to consult your vet.

Your Papillon:

•  Could have an injury to his gums.
• Could have a tooth infection.
• He might have an object stuck between his teeth, or throat.
• He could have a digestive problem, a stomach upset, or poisoning.
• Allergic reactions, or a insect sting.

You Ask: Papillon/Phalene scoots his Bottom across the floor?

U ask: why does my Papillon scoots his bottom across the floor?

• Your Papillon could have a worm infestation. When did you last deworm your Papi?
• Your Papillon can express his anal glands, by scooting over rather coarse surfaces, as asphalt, concrete, carpet.....If he does this occasionally once or twice, and he stops, he most likely has the job well done. But if he continues to do so, then you must check his anal glands, make sure that they are not compacted.

Read here about one of my previous articles about Anal Sac (Infection)