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Representatives of the dog breed Papillon is often compared to a graceful flower. But a more common option is considered a comparison with a butterfly. The reason for such comparisons is due to the fact that the shape of the ears really looks like butterfly wings. This feature is considered the most distinctive.
But in fact, this type of dog has many names, the most popular of which is a dwarf toy spaniel. And the most common option was Papillon. No matter how anyone calls this dog, it will still remain as spectacular in appearance and intellectually developed.
The origin of the breed
The first representatives of dogs with ears, butterflies appeared and became known 800 years ago. But then they were also called Toy Spaniels.And only sometimes the name Papillon flashed.
There is still controversy about the origin of these dogs, because researchers cannot agree on this. Despite the fact that the exact date of origin is unknown, what can be said for certain is the connection of these pets with the royal dynasties. There are legends that Henry III, who was the French king, doted on souls in these lovely dogs, and spent a whole fortune on them. But, besides him, they loved the papilions Louis XIV, Louis XV, and XVI, as well as the well-known Marie Antoinette. At this time, this species was considered a royal dog room.
But in the XX century, the breeders of England decided to cross this species with the spitz. And it was the best solution, because later modern papillons got a more beautiful, thick, and also shiny hair, the tail began to be placed higher, and the ears became a little lowered.
Papillon character
It is believed that these dogs are very clever, but this is not only guesswork, because they occupy the honorable 8th place in the ranking of smart dogs.
Together with well-developed intellectual abilities, this dog has friendliness, loyalty and devotion.Due to the fact that they are small in size, the papillons are quite active and need games. They are also called “eternal children” because of their constant playfulness and small size. They are restless. And being in a state of observation of what is happening in the hands of the owner is alien to the dogs. Papillons are very exciting and love to catch flies and small mice.
But even with their character, you need time to take care of socialization. Otherwise, they may not be friendly at all, and on the contrary, they are aggressive. And playing with such animals, you can get bites instead of pleasure. Starting to socialize them is from a very young age.
Such pets are good because they can cheer up the owner even on the most overcast day. Papillon perfectly capture the mood of its owner, and can even adapt to it. For children, a dog with butterfly ears will be a great friend and a perpetual companion to the game.
These animals can not be left alone for a long time, because they are very attached to their owners. Therefore, the long absence of a person adversely affects their well-being. This can even lead to depression.Shouting to this pet is also not worth it, because they perceive crying and rude remarks very close to their hearts.
Sometimes the nature of the papillon is compared with the human. And this is not only because of the presence of highly developed intelligence, but also because of good memory. They are inherent in many human traits like curiosity, as well as jealousy. But besides this, they have the charm that they use to endear themselves to people.
Standards of appearance papillon
Many people call the appearance of these dogs luxurious, and in fact it is. All the characteristics of the appearance of the dog are quite harmonious. Their body is tiny, and the face is very small, with subtle features. The muzzle itself is smaller than the skull. The height of the dog is small, but the body is slightly elongated. The coat is very thick and silky. Well, the most characteristic features are butterfly ears, and a tail that is always omitted.
The head of this pet differs from the standard spaniel by its small size. But, nevertheless, it is proportional to the body. The transition from the muzzle to the forehead is expressive. The muzzle is a little pointed and turned up.But even despite the small size of the jaw, their grip is very strong. The tongue should not stick out of the mouth, otherwise it is considered a significant drawback.
The eyes of this dog are expressive, almond-shaped, but at the same time wide. According to the standard, they should not bulge. The eyes are low and their color should be dark.
Of course, the main distinguishing feature is the ears. They can be both hanging and standing. At the end they must have hard cartilage. The ears can be located far apart - so that the roundness of the animal's skull can be considered.
In total there are two types of these continental toy spaniels. The first ones are the papilions that are discussed in this article, and the others are fallen. Visually they can only be distinguished by the shape of the ears. Phalenes have drooping ears, and papillons are erect. Their ears are set quite high, and, accordingly, the ears are open, only turned to the sides. The outer part of them is covered with long hair. The tail of the papilions, though lowered, is rather high on the back. The ring-shaped tail is unacceptable.
The paws of these small dogs look like hare's, and their claws are very thick and dense. The advantage is given to those who have black color.But, if the dog has a light or white color, then light-colored nails are allowed. Between the paws long hair.
The gait is rather graceful, even aristocratic, which indicates its royal roots.
Maintenance and care of papillon
Despite the fact that it seems that the represented pets need considerable care, it is worth noting that this is not the case. Caring for papillon is pretty simple.
If we talk about puppies, then first of all they need care and love. They are very vulnerable and sensitive, and feel the mood and attitude of the host towards them.
In order for puppies to be healthy and happy, you must adhere to the following rules:
- ears with nose, as well as hair and eyes must be clean;
- arrange at least two walks a day, at least half an hour;
- proper and healthy nutrition - this item is especially important for a growing body.
Caring for older pets is similar to the one described above. Here are some things worth paying more attention. Wool is an indicator of health, so care for her is the most intense.It should be combed daily with a comb or a special mitten. You can bathe, but only with significant contamination. But it concerns the period of molting.
Experts recommend shearing the hair between the toes and also on the belly. These measures are necessary for dog hygiene. Claws are periodically important to inspect and trim as necessary.
Upbringing pet
It is a pleasure to bring up this dog, because it very quickly grasps information. But in order to avoid incidents, you need to raise your pet, starting from the first days of living in a new house.
Even from a very young age, Papillon understands everything that is required of him. Immediately it is worth making the puppy understand what you can do and what you should not. To do this, use commands and some actions. But in fact, these dogs do not even need to order them to understand. Words and calm intonation are enough for them. When the pet will behave as it should, it is worth consolidating a positive result by means of a treat or simply a kind word.
The ability to adapt is the main advantage of a dog of this species.They quickly and easily absorb new knowledge and immediately apply it in practice.
If the right approach to educational work, then neither the dog nor the owner will not grieve each other.
What to feed papillon
The diet for a dog with ears butterflies must be balanced. Its compilation depends on several factors, which include the age of the dog, its activity and individual needs. You can also give preference to dry food. Puppies should be fed quite often, up to 5-6 times a day. The older the pet becomes, the fewer meals it needs.
If natural food is chosen, then it should contain not only animal food, but also vegetable food. Freshness of food - these are the main priorities in the choice of food. After all, the longevity of an animal depends on its quality. But also do not forget about fresh drink.
Remember, do not overdo it with food, because you can not overfeed these pets. And after eating a dog should rest a bit. To improve the condition of your pet, you can add to it in food various vitamins and supplements that will be necessary for growth and health promotion.But, if we are talking about dry food, then it already contains all the necessary trace elements, so you can not add vitamins.
It is forbidden to feed papilions with sweet, food with spices, and also to give them to eat bones, onions.
So that the pets have no problems with posture, their plate with food should be put on a special elevation. Obesity is something that should be avoided. Excessive unbalanced eating leads to this. An adult individual should not be well-fed, and the criterion that the dog eats normally is protruding ribs. Only puppies can be a bit fat.
How to choose a puppy Papillon
Before acquiring this smart pet, it is worth understanding whether it is needed and whether there will be enough time to bring it up. You do not need to take a papillon puppy just so that the children have something to do. As mentioned above, these dogs need care, care and good attitude.
If the decision to buy a puppy is hard, you should give your preference to specialized kennels. There you can pick up a pet, based on their preferences. Many choose only in appearance,because they acquire an animal for their pleasure. But some still strive for further breeding and participation in various competitions and exhibitions. And in this case, when acquiring an animal, it is worth paying attention to some nuances:
- This puppy must have all the standards listed above, and they must meet its age and height. After all, the cost of a pet depends on compliance with all stated standards.
- All parts of the body should be proportional to each other and look harmonious.
- Puppies should not be aggressive.
- All limbs, including the tail, must be properly positioned.
- Preference is given to puppies whose parents have already won contests and participated in exhibitions, and they must also have a pedigree.
If the dog is chosen not only as a friend or exhibitor, but also as a guard, you should pay attention to the temperament when choosing a pet.
If we are talking about buying a pet from a breeder, then it is worth buying only from verified persons. The person must provide all the necessary documents, as well as all sorts of information about the future pet.
You should not rush into a choice, because the purchase of a purebred representative of the species depends on it.
Cost of puppies papillon
Due to the fact that this type of data is not very common, its cost is quite high. But still, it also depends on the availability of pedigree and compliance with all stated breed standards. Some representatives can be bought for $ 500, but in the nursery the price for a baby papillon with documents can reach $ 1,200. The cost is only approximate, and it can vary depending on the representative and the preferences of the potential owner.
Video: Papillon dog breed
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