How to Groom a Papillon?
How to Groom a Papillon?
The butterfly-shaped ears of a Papillon breed are its most distinctive feature. Although Papillon has a long coat, this dog is highly cooperative in grooming sessions. The grooming demands of a Papillon are quite minimal and you can easily groom your Papillon at home.
Papillon is a toy breed dog and possesses long and silky fur over its body. This breed is very affectionate and is one of the famous breeds to keep as an indoor dog. Grooming is necessary to make your Papillon look his best and always stay in a fresh state.
As a proud Papillon parent myself named ‘Daisy’, I do her grooming regularly to make her look stunning as always. With that being said, here is a detailed answer to your question about how to groom a Papillon.
Papillon’s Coat & Its Grooming
The affectionate and robust nature of Papillon makes this breed admirable and best to keep at home. Papillon dogs lack the undercoat as they have a single coat distributed throughout the body. Another advantage is that the Papillons are very easy to train, and they get used to the grooming pretty quickly.
There are several coat color variations in the case of Papillon and all are in the form of a single coat. The hairs are silky and therefore, require regular grooming. The long hair around the ears and the tail needs special attention to keep them free from dirt, ectoparasites, and oil.
Necessary Grooming Tools for Papillon
Grooming tools are as important in Papillon grooming as weapons in the war. Below is the list of all the tools you’ll need to do effective grooming in the case of a Papillon dog.
- Dog Slicker Brush
- Canine Metal Comb
- All-Natural Dog Shampoo
- Clipping & Shearing Scissors
- Bathtub, Towel & Dryer
- Dog Nail Trimmers
- Dog Ears & Eye Cleaning Solutions
Keep the Coat Brushed & Tidy
Whether your Papillon stays indoors and takes cuddles from you or competes for a dog show, fur is the most crucial aspect. A Papillon with a silky and clean coat can automatically become the center of attraction for everyone around.
To make the Papillon’s coat look great, regular brushing is mandatory. In the case of Papillon, brushing is quite quick and easy to do because of its single coat layer. A good quality slicker brush can do the job just fine and can straighten out the fur from roots to tips.
However, the long coat of Papillon is also prone to get a lot of tangles if regular brushing is not performed. You can make use of a bristle brush and slicker brush combination to remove the tangles. A good quality tangle remover spray is a great aid for removing stubborn tangles.
Does Papillon Dog Need Hair Trimming?
Although Papillons look pretty in their luscious long flowing coat, overgrown fur can make them look out of proportion. In Papillons, the long haircut, shorter cut, and body trimming are usually done to enhance the overall look.
If you’re going for a long haircut for your Papillon, expect to see a naturally long-flowing coat. However, be prepared to invest extra time and grooming care to maintain the natural coat condition.
The shorter cut is recommended if your dog is living in a hot climate but doesn’t demand much grooming needs. Your Papillon will have a sleek and clean look with a shorter cut. In body trim cut, the body hairs are clipped short while leaving the long ears and tail hair as such.
How to Bath Papillon Dogs?
Papillons take care of themselves and they don’t usually require frequent baths. If your Papillon is hyperactive and loves to play around outdoors, he might need a bath sometimes. You can give a bath to Papillon once a month if the fur looks too dirty and greasy.
To maintain fur and skin health, it is recommended to use a canine-specific shampoo in Papillon. If you’re lucky enough to find an organic shampoo, it will add extra nourishment to the skin and coat.
Bath your Papillon dog with lukewarm water and use the organic shampoo by gently rubbing it over the entire body. Then, rinse the shampoo completely from the fur as the excessive shampoo will cause skin irritation in the case of Papillons.
Along with that, the use of a high-quality conditioner will add extra shine and smoothness to your dog’s fur. The conditioner must be used in generous amounts to coat the entire fur. You can either go for a towel dry only or use a hair dryer afterward.
Teeth Brushing & Nail Trimming in Papillons
Oral health is as important as the body and fur in Papillon dogs. This breed is fond of treats and its teeth usually experience plaque formation somewhere in the future. It is important to use organic dog toothpaste to gently brush the teeth of your furry Papillon.
Besides, invest in a good dog nail trimmer to keep a check on the nails of Papillon dogs. Make sure the nails are regularly trimmed to prevent them from overgrowing and puncturing the paw pads. Always maintain an appreciable distance of the nail clipper from the nail quickly in case of darker nails of Papillon dogs.
Maintain Ears & Eye Cleaning Routine
How do the Papillons get their butterfly-shaped face? Well, it is because of their long ears with excessive fur covering. Due to the ears’ length, your little Papillon is susceptible to excessive wax buildup. Clean the ears thoroughly using ear cleaning solution and cotton balls in Papillon dogs.
As an outdoor dog, Papillons’ eyes get a lot of external exposure to environmental allergens. This leads to eye irritation, excessive tear production, and crusting. There are a variety of eye cleaners for dogs to make sure your Papillon’s eyes stay fresh and bright without problems.
Final Words
Papillon is an astounding breed to keep as a pet. The lustrous long coat with exceptionally large ears is what makes this toy breed special in the dog world. Proper grooming and maintenance is a vital part of Papillon’s life to keep him joyful and free from diseases.
