How to Trim Papillon Culottes

A Papillon dog has "butterfly" ears.

Papillons are small-sized dogs weighing up to 12 pounds. They have long hair, generally darker on the ears and face, and white along the body. Papillons are said to have butterfly ears, which is what distinguishes the breed. The area around the back thighs of the dog is called the culotte. This area needs to be consistently trimmed in order to keep the hair clean. Their long hair makes it easy for waste to become stuck and matted. With the right tools, and patience, trimming the culotte can be something done at home.

Things You'll Need

• Chair
• Electric clippers
• Table
• Comb

Instructions

1. Sit in a chair and place the papillon belly side up in your lap.

2. Using the clippers, trim the hair on either side of the dog's penis, if it is a male, and a small amount above it. This should form a triangle shape. While you can trim a female papillon in the same manner, it may be unnecessary unless the hair in that area is stained yellow from urine. A female will generally benefit more from trimming the hair on the inner rear thighs so that it does not become stained.

3. Hold the dog with one hand so that it is standing on its rear legs. Continue to trim the same area, letting the hair fall naturally.

4. Place the dog on a table so that it is standing.

5. Brush the hair below its tail and around the anal opening.

6. Tuck the dog under your arm and use the clippers to trim downward from the anus.

7. Trim upward above the base of the anus and an inch into the underside of the tail.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave the hair that grows from the penis there, so the male dog can control where he urinates.

• You do not need to trim down to the skin, you will just need to get rid of excess hair.

• If you notice any leaking or odor coming from the anus, your dog will need to have its anal glands cleaned.

• Rewarding your dog with a treat after each section will make it easier to trim it in the future.

• If you feel tense, your dog will feel tense and be stressed as well. Maintain a calm composure.

• If you feel unsure about clipping your dog, it will be best to bring it to a professional.

References

• Holly Huxford: Papillon Grooming
• Road's End Papillons: Maintenance and Everyday Care of Your Papillon or Phalene
• Dogster: Papillon Grooming
• Dog Forums: My Groomer Messed My Papillon's Fur Up