The small and elegant dog-breed has a fine-boned structure. The light and dainty dog has butterfly-like ears that distinguish him from other breeds. They have been frequently portrayed in paintings dating back to the 16th century. The lively and sparkling personality of this dog causes him to be instantly liked by people.
Physical Traits
Area of Origin: France, Spain, Belgium
Used for: Companion, obedience
Average Life Span: 12-16 years
Color: Part-colored or white with patches of any color
Coat: Long and silky
Average Height: 8-11 inches
Average Weight: 4-9 pounds
Group: Toy
History and Domestication
Papillons (meaning butterfly in French) were known as Dwarf spaniels in the 16th and 17 centuries and were often depicted in the laps of French and Spanish noblewomen. They had large, drooping ears. Overtime, another version was developed with erect ears, fringed to resemble the wings of a butterfly. However in the US, the Papillons and Phalenes (drop-eared) are considered to be a part of the same litter and seen as a single breed.
Standard Physical Characteristics
The Papillon gets its name from the French word ‘butterfly’ due to its ears that stand like a butterfly’s wings. This is a small and fine-boned dog. The small head is well-rounded and has a well-defined stop. The short and thin muzzle tapers to the nose. The medium-sized, round eyes are dark and have black rims. Their characteristic feature, the large ears are erect with rounded tips. The hair on the ears is fringed and long giving the appearance of butterfly wings. The long tail also has long hair and is carried high.
Care, Grooming and Health
The long and silky coat needs to be brushed and combed daily. These are clean and odorless dogs and so bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. Trim their nails regularly and keep the mouth clean as they tend to accumulate tartar. This breed sheds moderately and its coat does not mat.
Papillons need to be walked daily. Play takes care of the exercise needs. They will love to romp about in a safe open area, off-leash. Some of them suffer from kneecaps, fontanel and anesthesia.
Living Conditions
Though these dogs can make good city dogs, sometimes they do not make good-apartment dogs as they tend to get very protective of their property. They will end up barking excessively at noises and will not distinguish between alarm-worthy noises and casual noises.
Temperament
The Papillon is happy, alert and lively dog. He is never aggressive or shy but will always take charge. He is smart and can be trained easily. However, if you want an adorable lap dog, he is not the dog you are looking for; he is called as a doer, not a cuddler. His temperament may affected by a lot of factors including socialization, training and heredity. A well-bred puppy will be curious and playful and willing to approach people. They are difficult to housebreak and get along well with other pets when raised with them. As with other breeds, they need early socialization too.
Adoption Groups
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