U-Ask: How to detect Ear Mites , in Dogs,Papillons, Phalenes

You ask:  How to detect Ear Mites , in Dogs,Papillons, Phalenes.

Ear mites are little  external parasites that can infect your dog. They live on the body and in the ears of canines, but most frequently infect the ears.
Dogs that are afflicted with ear mites will typically scratch at the ears excessively and shake their heads, even pulling out their own hair as they scratch.
Also, an infection by ear mites often produces a dark discharge, and a strong odor from the afflicted pet's ears.
If you have more than 1 dog, watch out, this type infection is highly contagious.

Dogs that are most susceptible to ear mite infections include young dogs and those that live in shelters or that have been abandoned. Puppies tend to be more susceptible because they have not yet built up any resistance to these insects. Adult dogs, only other hand, generally have developed a resistance which helps to protect them from these troublesome and irritating infections.
There are several products to treat ear mites, available in pet stores, feed stores, or your veterinarian.
Complications may arise when an animal is not treated , and has an immune hypersensitivity reaction that results in intense irritation of the external ear.
Some dogs will shake their heads so much that an hematoma of the ear will form (with blood pooling in the ear due to breakage of a blood vessel). Also a concern is when dogs will scratch at their ears to the point that damage is done to the ear canals or ear drums.

U Ask: When are Growth Plates closed in a Papillon, Dog,

(Original posted in 2009!!)


In continuation of Dukes Leg Fracture surgery, a frequent question comes up:
When will the growth plates close in a young Papillon, Phalene,  Dog?
The leg bones grow from areas located near their ends. These soft areas of immature bone are called growth plates. Calcium and minerals harden the soft area, and when the process of hardening is complete, growth stops. This will happen in most dogs around 12 -16 month.
Papillon dogs are to the most part full grown at around 8 months, after that they will "fill in "gain muscle, gain on weight.
Before the growth plates close, they can be injured or fractured more easily than mature bone. An injury to the growth plate can cause the bone to stop growing or to grow incorrectly.
We are very lucky, that Dukes growth plates where not injured.
It is best not to expose your young Papillon to High Impact Exercises, such as:

• Jogging (especially over hard ground, such as concrete)
• Frisbee playing (Leaping after flying disks or over jumps)

If you have a Papillon, Phalene, Toy Dog ,  (weigh less than 25 LBS) you can begin playing and exercising those mentioned activities at around 9 months, since your youngster has stopped growing.  All other dogs have to wait at least 'till they are about 15- 18months old, pending on their size, and weight.

The sweetest tiny boy "Zorro" left us today with new mom; heading to Arizona.

It is sooo hard sometimes to let them go.
Could not decide which picture was the better one....

Healthy Dog Snacks

Healthy Dog Snacks

Click on the image to en-large

Fresh Food 101- with Dr. Karen Becker

Dr. Karen Becker gives insight to everything you need to know about feeding raw food to your pets! Join her and other leading experts on the importance of diet in your pet’s life!

Click above link, great information, start 2019 on the right track, switch to fresh, real food.

These 2 little boys are just precious.
7.5 weeks old.
Hard to let them go, but they are already assigned to there future homes. 
Zorro & Panda

Transition from Kibble to Real Food

Road's End Miss Bisou

Bisou- 12 weeks old
Gallery of Bisou

Road's End StormTracker Windy

Girl Windy, 2.5 years old:

Windy's Photo Gallery

Mid - Morning Siesta:

Road's End Roselily Annika

Girl Annika, 13 months old.

Annika's Photo Gallery

Road's End Picante

Our girl Picante, now 1.5 years old.

Picante's Photo Gallery

Papillons, Phalenes & History of the Lap Dog

Papillons and Phalenes are a Toy Breed, and considered as a Lap Dog.
Lapdogs are not a specific breed, but most dogs within the Toy Breed category are lapdogs.
A Lap Dog, or Lapdog is a small dog, which fits easily on your lap, and comes with a friendly disposition, and (some) with a "watchful" eye, to warn you of intruders.
Historically these little dogs where kept by many societies around the world.
History tells us that Lapdogs are one of the very earliest specific dogs bred.
And history tells us that lapdogs where used not only as pets, but for

• Status Symbols
• Fashion Accessories
• Providing warmth on one's lap

And:

• To attract fleas away from the owner!!! 

There where a few lapdogs developed as a "working" dog; mostly out of the Terrier group.
The Pekingese is one of the oldest lapdogs, bred in  ancient China to fit inside the sleeves of a man's robe.

Two women playing with a lap dog, China, 8th century, Beauties Wearing Flowers by Tang Dynasty painter Zhou Fang

Papillons (Phalenes) appear in portraits of European royalty, painted by the Old Masters as early as the 13th Century.

Related links:
http://www.roadsend-papillons-phalenes.com/search/label/Old%20Masters
http://www.roadsendpapillons.com/History.html
http://www.roadsendpapillons.com/OldMasters.html

Old Masters/ Gerard ter Borch

Gerard ter Borch, 1617-1681.
Ter Borch developed his own distinctive type of interior genre, in which he shows us, with grace, the atmosphere of well-to-do, middle-class life in 17th-century Holland.

(Click on the photos to enlarge)

Curiosity, ca1660

About 1668

This is the best known of his Small Dog Paintings: The Flea Catcher.

The Spinner, ca 1652-1653

The Suitor's Visit, ca 1658

Woman sealing her letter with her Maid.

Woman playing her Theorbo to two Men, ca 1667-1668

Note:
 Toward the end of the 19th century, breed fanciers bred a version of the spaniel whose ears stood up. This dog was said to have been nicknamed papillon based on the impressively large, erect ears that resembled the wings of a butterfly. The drop-eared variety of the breed came to be called the Phalène(which means "night moth"). Both types are still bred today and appear in the same litter. The Papillon variety is much more common, although recently the Phalène has undergone a resurgence in popularity.
(Wikipedia)

Murphy with his new friend.
(Photo credit to the new mom/owner of Murphy)

Gallery of RE Paps with other Families

Papillon Hair Growth

Papillons will start to grow their adult hair coat at about 7-8 months of age.

At about 15 months they will make another slight change to get their final look.

It takes quite some time to grow all their beautiful hair coat, especially those ear fringes.So, be patient and don't assume your dog is not getting that nice desired long coat!

The length of the Papillons hair is developed mostly depending on his genes, but  also on his food, health,  environment, grooming.

If you live in a warm climate, your Papillon will have a little less of a hair coat, than if you live in a cold climate.

Look at his pedigree to evaluate the length of hair coat his parents, grandparents have.

Genes do not "blend" or mingle.  If mom is short coated, dad is long coated, then  your puppy may get the short coat from mom. (or long coat from dad).

Papillon/Phalene Mental Development :Birth to 12 Months

8-12 Weeks:
Your Papillon puppy will still want to sleep a lot. so, keep play time short, and bring him in his little crate, or quiet corner, where he can find sleep.
Do not follow your desire to show him off hour after hour, or let your children play with him, as he is like a new toy.
12-16 Weeks:
This is the time where your Babe gets imprinted the most. It is the time where you make or break a loving, positive relationship with him. The more fun things you do at this time, the closer he will be to you. A life-long friend!!
4-6 Months:

"Fear Time". this is the time where your Papillon show lots of anxieties. He will be reluctant to do things.
Do not push him too hard. Do not expose him to very loud bangs, or noises. Let him explore in a calm manner a new situation.
6.9 Months
"Terrible Teens". This is a good time for schooling, in a positive, loving way. Take him to obedience school. teach him something. It's the perfect time.
9-12 Months.
This is the time where even small Papillons may challenge you for leadership. In different ways.
Be calm, but positive with him. This is part of their natural development, but you have to show them, that you are the leader (boss).

Siblings, 6 weeks old.
Such an adorable age.

Above and below boy Zorro, the smallest one.

Above and below boy Panda

Above and below girl Panini

(All 3 puppies are reserved)

Mom Picante

Dad Robby

Today's photos of little Yolanda, 8 weeks old.
Yolanda is still available.
Please click HERE for further information.