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Showing Your Papillon

26 9:00:17

The papillon抯 butterfly-like appearance make it attractive in show rings and owners understandably like to show off their cute little dogs. Showing your dog entails training, grooming and, finally. the actual event.

If you are planning to show your papillon, begin to train it with that in mind when your papillon is a puppy. From the age of 10 weeks a puppy can be socialized. One of the tests dogs get in the ring is meeting the judge, and they lose points for growling or biting. Take your puppy to a 損uppy kindergarten?to let him or her get the feel of being around other dogs and people. Dogs bite out of fear, and gaining assurance that strange dogs and people are not threatening will ensure that your papillon will be calm at shows. By the time your papillon is 8 months old he or she can begin to learn formal obedience, learning to heel, sit, stay and perform a show finish.

Grooming is also important for show dogs. Papillons?silky coats should be shampooed with a clear dog shampoo about every 6 to 8 weeks and brushed as necessary to keep their hair shiny. The ears, skirt, and rear legs are especially prone to mats and should be carefully brushed to prevent matting. If your papillon should have a mat, hold it between your fingers break it down carefully with the tip of a pin brush rather than trying to comb it out. Combing a mat can be painful and discourage cooperation during grooming sessions. Nails need to be trimmed. The white area of the nail is without blood vessels and blood circulates through the pink part, just as it does in your own fingers. Carefully clip the nails only where they are white. Papillon抯 hair does not grow, so a great deal of cutting is not necessary, but it should be trimmed to give the dog a clean, well-cared-for appearance.

For novices in showing dogs, the American Kennel Club and the Papillon Club of America can provide information on the rules for showing your dog and upcoming events. Registration is essential, so make sure that you get the correct forms from the breeder and send them in to the AKC in a timely manner. When showing your dog you will be instructed to have your dog sit and walk for the judges to assess your papillon抯 conformation and training.

Your dog will be judged according to certain breed standards, as defined by the American Kennel Club. In general, papillons are supposed to be 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder and longer than they are tall. They should be white and multi-colored, delicate-boned, and with a weight proportional to their height. They should run quickly with an easy gait and appear happy and friendly. More details are available from the AKC.

When handling your papillon in the ring, try to stay relaxed and have a good time with it. If you are anxious your dog will pick up on it and appear anxious as well. The idea behind the judging is to decide what dogs are best for breeding, to improve the breed. If you win ribbons your papillon抯 puppies will likely be sought-after, but if you do not win you will still have a charming pet, so take it all in stride. Showing your papillon can be fun in itself, and winning is just one more plus for an enjoyable hobby.