Papillon Owners..help Me?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
Lately i’ve been thinking about papillons.
because i took care of my neighbors for a day and my dad (who usually doesnt like dogs)
said that he would like to have one. the one i took care of was perfect.
he was so cute and smart. he was still a puppy and didnt know any tricks but sit, and in 1 day i taught him now to lay down :]
so, i’d like all the ups and downs of owning them.
i already know that they are hyper, sometimes hard to potty train, and not very much like lapdogs (i’ve heard a few people say they are like mini border collies)
do they shed alot? are they very expensive to own? are they really fragile?
aare they OK for first time dog owners, that are researched on the breed and pretty much know what they’re doing?
are they hard to find (like breeders?)
i havent ever owned a dog before. and my dad has said no to most of the breeds i’ve wanted.
but he really liked that papillon, so i want to know if they are good for me ^_^
thanks everyone.
Related Papillon Training & Care posts:
they shoudn’t be shedding a lot if they’re on a good diet.
nope they aren’t expensive to own, other than the usual costs you don’t need to bring them for regular trimming at the groomer’s etc
they aren’t as fragile as most say, but still be careful of them jumping from certain heights
should be fine for first time owners, just make sure you research the breed thoroughly enough to make sure it can fit into your household
spend more time looking for a reputable breeder, you’ll be grateful you did for the many years to come.
papillons are really gorgeous dogs, they’re really smart too! make sure they don’t outsmart you. firm training from young is required to prevent potential behaviour problems that can surface in any breed. they’re pretty long lifespans too. also, dental care is extremely important, daily brushing is essential unless you are planning to feed a raw diet.
NOT breed specific!
NONE of your questions pertain to *any* dog…ALL DOGS NEED *TRAINING* to be civilized!
Your immature blather about how you”…already know..” is 100% WRONG!!
You are not ready for any live animal more complicated than a goldfish & you imagine *this* is how you RESEARCH??? WRONG again!
I think it would be a good first time dog for you. They are really cute and I think you would enjoy one. Go for it!
Paps are great dogs. They can be easy to train, but you need to put the time into it. Get into some training classes, since you have never owned a dog. Since they are small, shedding isn’t a huge deal. They don’t need a ton of grooming. If you are ready to find one, go to the AKC website. Find a breeder through there. They usually refer you to the parent club for that breed. Get a dog referred by them. Just to try and avoid puppy mills.
http://www.papillonclub.org
Good luck. Check out the above website to research the breed more and find a breeder
Average Food Cost
< £4
Feeding Requirements
They will cost less than £4 per week to feed.
Other Expenses
Depending on the breeder, the cost of a Papillon as a non-breeding pet would be approximately £500 plus, however if wanted for a ‘show dog’ the cost would be considerably higher. Bitches can some times be hard to come by due to the small litters.
Average Puppy Price
£500-800
Lifespan
9 – 15 years
Average Litter Size
3
General Physical Description
A dainty, well balanced little dog who always has an alert and intelligent expression. Easily recognised because of his fringed, erect ears which resemble butterfly wings and the blaze on the forehead a butterfly body. Because of the plumed tail, this breed is also known by the French as the ‘Squirrel Dog’. Whilst a blaze is preferred for the show ring, this is by no means necessary for a pet home.
Intelligence Being intelligent dogs, Paps are easy to train but consistency is needed when young to ensure the puppy does not become a ‘yapper’ throughout his or her life and patience and routine is needed when house-training a puppy. Some make good agility dogs, others are used as P.A.T (therapy) dogs and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
Energy High
Overall Exercise 20 – 40 minutes
Distress Caused if Left Alone Low
Personal Protection Low
Suitability As Guard Dog Medium
Risk of Sheep Worrying Medium
Tendency to Bark High
Ease of Transportation High
Level of Aggression Low
Compatibility With Other Animals Medium
Suitable For Children
Medium
General Character And Temperament Paps are friendly and alert, and whilst the breed will warn of the presence of strangers (they can be trained not to bark), will not be aggressive in any way. The breed loves human company and cuddles and are ‘doers’ and want to get involved in activities as much as possible! They are not suitable for outside living in a kennel. They are a ‘companion’ dog.
hope this info helps you …