About Papillons

The papillon is also known as the continental toy spaniel. These popular pets are highly trainable and obedient --- and they are one of the top five show breeds in the United States. Although friendly due to their very small size, papillons do not do well with children as they can easily be hurt or suffer injuries from boisterous kids and they also do not mix well with other breeds of dogs.

  1. History

    • The name papillon means butterfly in French and the papillon is known as a French breed of dog. They have been known in Europe for over 70 years and the first recorded knowledge of them comes from their depiction in classical pieces of art. Many royal and noble families or individuals were depicted with their papillons in the frame. They were popular toy dogs with the aristocratic and merchant classes, although at this time the papillon was known as the 'phagenes' because they were droopy-eared and not yet bred to have the characteristic butterfly ear-shape of papillons today.

    Appearance

    • As the papillon or butterfly name suggests, this breed of dog is known for its ears and the hair that looks like a butterfly's wings. They are very small dogs and have fine-boned, small heads and a thin tapering muzzle. They have a very fine long-haired coat with extra frills around the legs and chest and a long tail that is worn high.

    Temperament

    • Papillons are social dogs and crave human company, so they are not good dogs to have if you are unable to give them large amounts of attention. If ignored or left alone for long periods, they can display anti-social behavior such as barking, biting furniture, scratching and the digging holes. They are aggressive guard dogs, although sometimes they can be too over-eager and suspicious, resulting in excessive barking and reactions to minor disturbances and other people.

    Health

    • Their long coats need regular brushing and they can shed quite a lot of hair. They are generally not prone to bad odor, so they only need to be bathed when necessary. They can be prone to dental problems, seizures and patellar luxation. They are playful, but also need a daily walk. They are known to live up to 16-years-old.