Papillon Grooming & Care (Coat, Ears & Dental)

Papillons are surprisingly easy to care for compared with many long-coated breeds, but they do have a few priorities of their own — chief among them their teeth and their delicate frame. The good news is that a sensible routine keeps this elegant little dog looking and feeling its best. Here is how to groom and care for a Papillon properly.

Understanding the Papillon coat

Papillons have a long, silky, single coat with no dense woolly undercoat. That single coat is a real advantage: it sheds less heavily and mats far less readily than a double coat, so Papillons are relatively low-maintenance for a long-haired breed. The coat is longer in flowing feathering on the ears, chest, the backs of the legs (often called trousers or culottes) and the plumed tail, while it is shorter over the body. The famous fringed butterfly ears are part of what makes the breed so distinctive.

How often to brush

Plan on brushing a few times a week to keep the coat and feathering tangle-free and to spread the natural oils that keep it glossy. Pay particular attention to the feathered areas — behind and under the ears, the chest, the trousers and the tail — where the longer hair can knot. A gentle slicker brush and a comb work well; explore our grooming brushes for suitable tools. Regular brushing is also the perfect time to check the skin for any lumps, parasites or sore spots, and it doubles as bonding time. Starting the habit while your Papillon is a puppy makes handling easy for life.

Caring for the ears

Those glorious ears need a little attention. The long fringing can collect debris, so comb it through gently when you groom. Check inside the ears regularly for redness, wax build-up, odour or scratching, which can signal an infection, and wipe only the visible part with a vet-approved cleaner if needed — never push anything into the ear canal. If something looks or smells wrong, see your vet.

Dental care: the big priority

For a small breed, dental care is arguably the most important part of the routine. UK research from the RVC's VetCompass programme shows small dogs are at far higher risk of dental disease than larger breeds, and a Papillon's small, crowded mouth traps plaque that hardens into tartar and leads to painful gum disease and tooth loss if neglected. The fix is largely preventative:

• Brush the teeth ideally daily, or as often as you can, with dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste). Introduce it gradually and make it positive.
• Use dental chews and dental toys as a helpful extra, not a substitute for brushing — browse our dental care range.
• Keep up regular vet dental checks, and have professional cleaning under anaesthetic if your vet advises it.

Good dental habits protect not just the mouth but overall health, and they are one of the best things you can do for a Papillon's long-term wellbeing.

Nails, feet and the patella

Trim the nails every few weeks if they are not wearing down naturally, taking only the clear tip and avoiding the pink quick. Long nails are uncomfortable and affect how a small dog stands and moves — see our nail care options. As you handle the legs, be aware that patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is common in toy breeds: if you notice your dog skipping on a back leg, hopping or holding it up, mention it to your vet.

Keeping a fine-boned dog comfortable

Papillons are delicate, so handle them gently and support them properly when you pick them up. Their thin, single coat offers little protection from the cold, so a well-fitted dog coat is genuinely useful for walks in chilly, wet UK weather. A soft, supportive bed in a quiet spot gives them a safe place to rest.

Diet and weight

On a dog this small, even a little extra weight is a lot proportionally and strains the knees and joints. Feed a good-quality, complete diet in measured portions rather than free-feeding or over-treating, and judge condition by body shape — ribs easily felt, a visible waist from above. Our pet calorie calculator helps you get portions right.

Putting it together

Groom regularly, prioritise the teeth, keep the ears and nails in check, and handle your fine-boned companion with care, and a Papillon is a genuinely manageable, rewarding dog to look after. For more on the breed, see our guides on training and lifespan and health.

*This is general guidance. If you find sore skin, an ear or dental problem, or any sign of knee trouble you cannot easily manage, see your vet or a professional groomer.*

Sources

• The Kennel Club — Papillon grooming and breed care
• RVC VetCompass — dental disease in UK dogs
• PDSA — grooming, dental and weight care for dogs
• Blue Cross — grooming your dog