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The Papillon – The Butterfly Dog, immortalised by such noted painters as Rubens and Boucher, the “Butterfly” dog comes down to us from history as a tough and loyal little dog. Not for him the labels of a lap dog though he will settle amicably to that task as well. He is quite the outdoorsy type and will weather most climates whilst hunting out the odd rat or two, worrying it till it succumbs.
The coat standard calls for a fine, silky texture with no undercoat. It should appear abundant, flowing and straight. Therefore we need to keep the fluffiness out of the coat. We’re looking for that nice polished appearance to the texture of most of the body coat, except for the chest frill which is to be profuse and needs a bit of lift and poof.
The Papillon though appearing delicate of bone is quite a little livewire. Every dog is different and can be at various stages in their coat development so an individual eye each time is important. Learn to evaluate your dog and what it is you would minimise and maximise and then apply the grooming technique which best suits this outcome.
When washing faces always use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing, yet complete cleaning.
You don’t sculpt this breed with the scissor, just your eye and clever lifting and flattening. Decide what is the primary focus for the coat, whether it is shine, pearly whites, conditioning, or smoothness for example, and then select the appropriate shampoo.
Most tend to go for the Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo with Ginseng which tones the coat to give a brilliant finish to whites and enriches the tones of the coloured patches. It DOES NOT lighten or bleach but instead tones with optical brighteners. It reduces yellowing or warm tones in white coats or white areas of the coat and will negate unwanted tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat. It is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a rich formula.
Always dilute the shampoo for ease of application and evenness of effect. Use at a diluted ratio of at least 1:3 (1 part shampoo to 3 parts shampoo) and up to 1:10 for maintenance.
For extra brilliant whitening on any staining use the incredible Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm or red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing 5-10 minutes and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.
If the coat needs shine, then use Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo with Henna and if softening is the quest then use the Plush Puppy Natural Conditioning Shampoo all at the same dilution rate of 1:3.
You do condition this dog but do it lightly. Use Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner. Dilute it right down at 1:10 (1 part conditioner to 10 parts water). You just want a slurry through the coat to keep the pH slightly acidic and not to drag it down heavily.
You can oil this coat too between shows if your Papillon does chase critters outdoors. No point having all that profuse flowing coat on ears and body if he snaps it off in the bushes at the bottom of the garden. Lightly oil with Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil. This will add shine, hydrate and condition the coat. It is a truly beneficial blend of using extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose. Add 1/2 a teaspoon to 1 Litre of water, then either sponge on or sluice well through the coat and LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE. This is quite a unique product in that it is not greasy and totally water-soluble. It gives an outstanding healthy vigour to the skin and coat. It will maintain the texture and moisture in the coat and help to protect it. Use the oil at this dilution rate after shampooing for a show. Again leave in and do not rinse. You will get a nice healthy sheen on the coat with this routine.
Great maintenance regime! So having bathed and conditioned it is time to dry your showman for the big day.
If the coat is too boofy or puffy, then use Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream on the areas you want to flatten or soften. You can either use direct or as I prefer for evenness, diluted as a spray. Dilute 1 teaspoon into 2 cups of water and spray or sponge on to the specific part of the dog.
For straightening lengths and a light flattening to the coat use the Plush Puppy Swishy Coat. Dilute 1/2 tablespoon into 1 – 2 cups of water depending on the abundance of coat. Dry with your fingers or Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush on the short areas of the coat and switch to the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush to ¾ dry the longer lengths.
Finish them off with the Anti-Static Brush until fully dry. This give you the smooth, straight, silky finish you need for the furnishings. Never use a bristle brush on really wet coat as the coat is in a vulnerable state when wet and is prone to over stretch and thus break or split. By ¾ drying with the Pin Brush you are waiting till the coat is in a stronger position before attempting to really smooth the coat which the Pin cannot do well enough.
Finish with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb, built for absolute ergonomic comfort in various sizes. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse pins made of hardened stainless steel with anodic oxide finish that reduces drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.
At times due to various reasons including the weather static electricity can create flyaways. If this occurs use Plush Puppy Anti-Static Coat Control. This is a lightweight spray infused with organic extracts of Witch Hazel Leaf, Linden Flower, Birch Bark and Nettle. It protects the coat with a UV filter to stop sun damage and protect against heat.
For the profuse chest frill and breeches you may want even more substance. For these areas use Plush Puppy Volumising Spray. This is a ‘Ready to Use’ spray for quick and easy fuller coat results. Perfect either before blow drying or used to ‘fluff’ up the coat at the show. Apply a light even spray and brush in until dry or use a dryer. This is a hair thickener to add volume, not a hair stiffener and not easily detectable. It leaves the coat with a natural fuller look and feel.
On show day apply Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream which is a great cover for stains or discolouration. When you really need to cover stains on your whites or intensify white areas, Cover Up Cream will do the trick. Apply with a barely damp sponge using a small amount. Build up coverage as required layer by layer. Add a flurry of chalk to dry and then brush.
Add a tiny bit of Plush Puppy Chalkestral with your fingertips to the white legs to assist holding the white powder you apply. You need something to help grip and to protect the coat from abrasion. Best of all is Plush Puppy Fairy Frost. This ultra-fine and bright white powder that is more effective and innovative than the usual methods of white chalking and adding powder to coats. Fairy Frost will create the brightest white tone that clings all day. Plus, it covers all coats without creating harshness. Fine and easy to use, our formulation means a little goes a long way. Fairy Frost Regular is naturally sourced and contains no chalk or talc. Use this product instead of chalk or mix with your usual white powder. This product is best for glamorous, perfect whites as it never gets clumpy, even when wet. This stays on the coat well and will last the day till washed off. Apply with the Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush. Work well into the area where required for enhancing whites and cover. The absolute best for glamorous perfect whites.
For those windy, dry days, use Plush Puppy Protein Coat Balm which is a great anti-static to use just prior to going in the ring. A small amount onto the hands and wiped over the lengths of the coat to keep the snarls and tangles from the lengths works a charm. You can keep reapplying throughout the day without fear of the coat appearing greasy or separating.
For a final boost of shine and lustre, spray a light mist of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb 30cm above the coat and let the mist fall onto the topline. Keep the mist at a good distance as this is a fine coat texture. Smooth your hand over the body and then lightly brush or comb. You may also like to try this by spraying onto the brush and then applying but the mist approach is a good one and I don’t like extra products apart from the Coat Balm onto the lengths at this point. Your hard work has been done and it ought to be perfect anyway.
You can add a light dusting of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust onto the chest frill and pants and I do mean a LIGHT dusting. The Glitter Fairy is not what we want right now, just a beautiful glamorous Papillon with a light glint and hint of shimmer.
Don’t forget to make him smell good too with the Plush Puppy Odour Muncher as I believe judges do use all their senses when judging.
So, your dog looks good, you look good and you have perfected your ring craft to become a magical performance. The crowd turns as you enter the ring and you know; you and your little Butterfly friend are just the Ants Pants. It’s a great thing to feel and acknowledge you have done your best and put in the hard yard when others sometimes don’t. Your friend and ring partner is descended from those owned by kings and queens – he now looks the part – a regular little Prince.
Plush Puppy Australia
