How to Breed Papillons

Originally known as the Continental Toy Spaniel, the Papillon is one of the oldest known toy dog breeds. Small and fined-boned, they are lively companions ideally suited to apartment life. Papillons are most recognized for their prick ears adorned with long "feathers," reminiscent of a butterfly's wings.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Prepare for Puppies

1. Obtain good breeding stock. Locate a reputable breeder through local breed fancier clubs or the Papillon Club of America. Select breeding stock that is of a champion bloodline, solid temperament and is free of hereditary disease and infection. The breeder you purchase from can help you select Papillons with good markings and characteristics that conform to the breed standard.
2. Register your kennel with the AKC. Breeders often require that the kennel name be incorporated into the dog's registered name. This is done both for reasons of tracking bloodlines as well as to promote your kennel.
3. Establish a relationship with other breeders in your area. Other breeders can be a tremendous resource should you have questions or encounter problems.
4. Select a local veterinarian with a solid reputation. Make an appointment to introduce yourself. In the event of a medical crisis, a good relationship with your vet could save lives.
5. Decide on a mating pair. Whether you will be mating two of your own dogs, or are pairing up with another kennel for stud service, you will want to select a sire and dam that are likely to produce the color, markings and traits that you desire within the breed standard.
6. Breed the dogs when the dam is in estrus, which occurs every 6 to 7 months. Your dam will indicate she is ready to breed by standing in front of the sire, with her hindquarters raised, tail swept to one side.
7. Prepare for the birth. Take the dam to the vet for regular checkups to ensure mother and pups are progressing normally–this should include x-rays to determine the number of pups expected. A typical Papillon litter is 2 to 3 pups. Prepare your home or kennel for the birth by selecting a warm, quite area and furnish it with a "whelping box" lined with towels, newspaper or straw.
8. Monitor your dam closely. Canine gestation typically lasts 63 days after conception. When you notice the dam exhibiting labor signs such as licking her vulva, cramping, or the protrusion of the fluid sac, gently guide her to the whelping box. This is a good time to alert your vet that labor has begun as it will help them be prepared in the event of an emergency.
9. Assist with the birth. You may need to help pups emerge from the birth canal, or assist the dam in cleaning and stimulating the pups to breathe. If the dam in unable to expel a pup, shows signs of severe distress, or if labor stops completely before all the pups are born, consult your vet immediately.

Bringing up Puppies

10. Wean the pups at approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age. After 4 weeks, the pups have grown too big to get all their nourishment from their mother. Supplement their diet with puppy formula and soft puppy food, gradually increasing the food to formula ratio until the pups are eating only slightly moistened puppy food by 12 weeks of age.
11. Socialize the pups. Puppies require frequent handling and interaction to bond with humans. They also need exposure to the sights and sounds of a household. Proper socialization ensures that your Papillons will integrate easily into their future homes.
12. Vet your pups. You and your vet will determine the best time to begin administering shots and de-worming medication. It is common for purebred pup to have had at least some, if not all of their shots before being placed with a new owner.
13. Find homes for your puppies. Use word-of-mouth, the internet and print ads to advertise your puppies. Set a price that will allow you to recover your expenses, including a reasonable profit. Carefully screen potential buyers to ensure they understand the needs of Papillons. Papillons are small, delicate dogs which are not intended to be outdoor dogs. Nor are they well-suited to homes with small children. As the breeder, you have the obligation to safeguard your dogs and ensure their future happiness by selecting responsible, stable homes for them.

Tips & Warnings

• Make it a priority to have your breeding dogs, as well as their offspring, registered with the AKC. Not only do AKC-registered puppies sell for a premium, but it signals to buyers that you are a reputable breeder.
• If you choose to mate your sire or dam with a Papillon in another kennel, be prepared to share your Papillon's medical records with the partnering kennel owner. This is done to safeguard against spreading disease.
• To protect the health of your Papillons, you should wait until the sire and dam have reached full maturity before mating them.
• Some dams may show a drop in body temperature just prior to whelping. However, it is a myth that all dams will experience this.The most consistent indicator of whelping is the dam ignoring food for 24 hours.
• Dogs sold to you for the purposes of breeding will cost more than dogs sold to be family pets. To protect their dog's bloodlines, reputable breeders will require you to sign a spay/neuter agreement and provide proof of the surgery before they will give you the documents necessary to register your dogs(s) with the American Kennel Club (AKC.)
• Never purchase your breeding stock from a pet store or "puppy mill" as their dogs are often inferior due to the poor conditions the dogs are kept in.