Papillon Dog Breed

There is no doubt that when you first see one of these dogs in person, the cuteness factor is going to obscure any Papillon facts you may know. While these dogs can be excellent companions, there are many things to consider before you are overwhelmed with how truly adorable they are. They are typically good as first dogs, but families that have other pets — especially larger dogs — should understand the issues that can arise. Mature children should not be a concern, but very young kids may pose problems. Papillons are great for apartment living, and they are not outside dogs in case you have a large, rural home with lots of yard space.

Here are some Papillon pros and cons:

PROS

• Easily carried
• Beautiful dogs
• Elegant attitude
• Extremely trainable
• Extremely energetic
• Low grooming needs
• Loves to make new friends
• Relatively few health issues

CONS

• Not hypoallergenic
• Typically very vocal
• Requires constant attention
• Can easily become anxious
• Separation anxiety is common
• Extremely fine bone structure makes them fragile
• very serious health concerns in very small Papillons
• Growing popularity means disreputable dog breeders
• Not good in homes with babies, toddlers, and very young kids

The papillon is a small, but sturdy dog. They generally only weigh 4-9 pounds and are less than a foot tall as adults, so the breed will need to be supervised when around children or playing with larger dogs to make sure they don't get injured. Their small size makes them easy to care for, but unlike other smaller dog breeds the papillon is not a lap dog and isn't too fond of cuddling.

Papillons are friendly dogs that should never be aggressive or shy. They are, however, bold and can be bossy towards other pets (as they are a big dog in a small dog's body), but this shouldn't be mistaken for aggression. The breed is intelligent which makes them easy to train.

The papillon has a long, silky, straight coat which lacks an undercoat. They have large ears which resemble butterfly wings (papillon is French for "butterfly") and a fluffy tail which is carried over the back of the dog. Papillons have high amounts of energy and will require 2-3 walks per day to meet their exercise requirements. Even though the breed has a long coat, it requires surprisingly little care. Papillons don't develop a dog odor and their coat doesn't tangle easily, so brushing the coat once to twice a week and bathing as needed are all the coat needs to be well maintained.

Papillon history is as rich as the dog's ears are fascinating — if not more so. Art depicting these dogs have been found from as far back as the 14th century, and a number of Renaissance masters such as Boucher, Rubens, and Watteau have featured the breed in their works. In 1870, a particularly famous painting by Renoir, "Head of a Dog," was produced. European royalty was known to have owned these dogs, and one was believed to have been carried by France's Marie Antoinette when she was led to the guillotine.

Despite the dog's popularity in centuries past, the origins of the Papillon is unclear. There are those who claim the dog ultimate came from the Japanese Chin. Some say it was Belgium, others claim it was France and still others declare Spain was the place these terriers were first known. Likewise, there are many names that this dog has been called: Dwarf Spaniels, Epagneuls Nain, Little Squirrel Dog and Belgian Toy Spaniel are but a few of them.

Although European kennel clubs — such as the FCI — recognizes just one breed (under a different name), the club lists two varieties under it: Papillons from Phalenes. The AKC, which first listed the breed in 1915, only recognizes one breed and has Papillons and Phalenes under "Papillon." (In French, "papillon" means "butterfly" and "phalène" means "moth," which is used to describe the dog's floppy, fallen ears.) The Kennel Club (in England) recognized the breed a few years later in 1923, and the FCI accepted the breed in 1954.

In 1935, the Papillon Club of America was founded, and the members were detailed in maintaining Papillon dog history. Although it dissolved in 1943, it was revived in 1948 and continues to this day. These days, the Papillon is very popular, and there is apparently a U.S.-based campaign to distinguish Papillons from Phalenes.

The Papillon is a small, proud and spritely dog whose fine bone structure, ears and tail all lend to a graceful, elegant, almost floating presence.

These dogs tend to have an alert expression without appearing alarmed. Their eyes are medium in size, somewhat intent in their gaze, and set in a small head. The ears may be erect or may drop forward. (In some countries, regions and kennel club jurisdictions, the ears determine varieties; under the AKC, both the "butterfly" ear Papillon and the drop eared Papillon are considered a single breed.) They have a strong, proud chest that juts forward in a challenging fashion. Unlike most similar small dogs, the Papillon has long feet that are termed "hare feet," and a fair portion rests on the ground like those of a rabbit. The tail is medium in length, held high and plumed, and it will balance the ears nicely.

The Papillon coat is a single layer of fine, long silky hair and comes in a wide range of colors, all of which are described elsewhere on this page.

Understanding the variations of the Papillon can be confusing. The dog goes under different names in different regions. If you see them called a Squirrel Dog or a Continental Toy Spaniel, it is not a variety, crossbreed or anything different; it's still a Papillon. Also, some kennel clubs consider the varieties as separate breeds while other clubs consider both varieties as a single breed.

For the most part, however, there are basically two varieties: the Papillon and the Phalene. The Papillon has fully erect ears which give the dog's face a distinct butterfly appearance. The Phalene, which in French means "night moth," has ears that drop forward. Both dogs can be found in a single litter and will otherwise look the same.

Although there is no formal type of big Papillon or teacup Papillon, there are breeders who will call this dog names based on the size they sell. You may even find some that are called a toy Papillon, but you should know that all Papillons are in the Toy Dog Group. It is typical to have a single litter with Papillons that, once fully grown, can vary widely in their size and weight.

The Papillon temperament tends to be an amicable one. They can be high-strung, however, but for the most part, they are very friendly with kids, other dogs, and friends who are gentle when they meet. These dogs don't bark a lot (unless they are anxious). While they do like to be lapdogs, they are typically very active.

As these dogs are intelligent and somewhat independently minded, their extreme cuteness factor should not be always indulged. They will want to explore as they please, at times, and they may prefer to be left alone even as they remain nearby as you move about. They are not normally shy or overly aggressive. If they are, these are Papillon traits that should be resolved.

Training may be difficult, and you will need a lot of patience. The Papillon personality is one that has a centuries-old history of being pampered, and it's in their nature to do what they want. House breaking, socialization (especially with larger dogs, which they will almost certainly challenge every chance they get) and understanding that they are a good watchdog but not a guard dog are some of the things that they must learn.

The Papillon is a dog that has fewer health concerns than most dog breeds. They tend to live longer, but there are problems that can occur due to their fine bone structures. Very small Papillons that are impregnated can have extremely serious birthing problems. You should sure to only adopt a Papillon that comes from a breeder who gets all the basic health tests and vet certifications.

Here is a list of some of the issues that can affect a Papillon:

• Seizures
• Entropion
• Cataracts
• Hip dysplasia
• Hypoglycemia
• Open Fontanel
• Thrombopathia
• Hypothyroidism
• Patellar Luxation
• Dental problems
• Collapsed Trachea
• Congenital deafness
• Anesthesia sensitivity
• von Willebrand's disease
• Black hair follicular dysplasia
• Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

The average lifespan for a Papillon is 13 to 16 years.