How to Groom a Papillion

A member of the American Kennel Club's toy group, the papillon weighs only 4 to 9 pounds, on average. It is a playful, energetic and gentle breed that is friendly toward children, strangers and even other pets. A well-cared for papillon can live 12 to 15 years. Part of caring for your papillon is grooming it. Grooming not only keeps your papillon looking its best, but it can also help prevent health problems such as skin conditions or infections. Most papillons require minimal grooming, but you will need to put some effort into keeping your pup groomed.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire dog brush
  • Dog shampoo and conditioner
  • Dog nail trimmer
  • Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Cotton balls or washrags
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your papillon's long coat twice weekly to prevent tangles or matting. Use a wire brush to avoid ripping the dog's silky coat. Spray your papillon with water to dampen its fur before brushing. Gently run the brush through the coat. Avoid ripping or pulling. Broken fur can increase tangling and matting.

    • 2

      Bathe your papillon whenever its coat begins to look dirty or feel greasy. Papillons are not excessively dirty dogs, so the frequency of your papillon's baths will depend on your individual dog. Wash the coat with a dog formula shampoo and then apply conditioner. The conditioner will help remove tangles and prevent matting. It will also help keep your papillon's skin from drying out. Rinse your papillon thoroughly after applying both the shampoo and conditioner.

    • 3

      Trim your papillon's nails with trimmers that are built for small dogs. Large trimmers will take too much of the nail and cause bleeding. Look for a pink or dark spot within the nail if your papillon's nails are white. Avoid cutting into this area; this is the quick, and it will bleed if it is cut. If your papillon has black nails, you will have to do more guesswork. Trim a little off of the end at a time until you see a circle pattern forming in the nail. When you see the circle, it's time to stop.

    • 4

      Use a dog toothbrush to brush your papillon's teeth at least once a week. Avoid using human toothpaste, which can be harmful to your dog. Brush your papillon's teeth to remove plaque that can spread harmful bacteria into your dog's system.

    • 5

      Clean and dry your papillon's ears thoroughly. Use a cotton ball or damp rag to clean any dirt out of your papillon's ears. Do the same to remove any excretions around the eyes. Always dry the insides of your papillon's ears if the dog gets wet. This will help prevent eye and ear infections.