How Do I Take Care of a Papillion Dog?

Feed your papillon the correct amount of dog food to make sure that it stays at a healthy weight. A healthy weight for a male is about 8 to 10 lbs. and a healthy weight for a female is 7 to 9 lbs.

Exercise your papillon at least once a day. Take it for a walk around the block or neighborhood. When you return home, make sure your dog has plenty of water.

Brush your dog at least once a week. Your papillon may need to be brushed every day. However, they do not need to be groomed as much as most long-haired dogs because papillons do not have an undercoat. Use a brush that has fine bristles to make sure its fur doesn't mat.

Brush your dog's teeth with a finger or soft toothbrush. You can also use a dental gel or oral paste that you apply directly into the dog's mouth; it helps to fight off plaque and bacteria. To apply, use your finger or a finger toothbrush and rub the recommended amount of paste into the dog's mouth. Depending on the amount of plaque in its mouth, you will need to follow the bottle's instructions as to how often you should repeat this. Do not feed the dog 30 minutes before or after application for best results.

Watch for health issues like knee or skull problems. Because these are common in a papillon, it is important to discuss with your vet the signs and symptoms of fontanel or a kneecap problem and what to do to correct them if they occur (sometimes surgery may be required).

Take your papillon to the vet every 12 months minimum. Make sure that it is up-to-date on all its shots, especially heart worms and rabies. You need to talk to your vet about other medications as well, such as flea or tick medicines that your vet might offer.