Types of Papillons

Papillons are a breed of dog that originates from France. One of the world's oldest spaniel breeds, papillons were isolated as its own breed in the 16th and 17th centuries, and were often depicted sitting on the laps of European noblemen and women in paintings from the era. They are in the toy group of dogs. The word papillon means butterfly in French, named aptly for the plethora of fur that emanates from the dog's neck area that resembles a butterfly.

  1. Varieties

    • There are only two varieties of papillons: standard and Phalene. A standard papillon is characterized by erect ears. The ears of the animal are permanently raised, giving a fanlike characteristic to the dog's neck and head area. A Phalene has drop ears. The ears do not rise, instead, like a hound dog, their ears hang from the animals. Both types can come from the same litter; therefore, they are considered to be the same breed.

    Description

    • A papillon measures 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders, and is 10 to 14 inches long. A small dog breed, these animals are noted for their fine bone structure, outgoing personality and dainty presence. Papillons love playing outdoors; however, it is best that they are kept as indoor dogs. Their diminutive size makes them at risk from outdoor animals, including birds of prey.

    Color Patterns

    • Though there are only two types of papillons, they come in a variety of color patterns. White, black and tans are the most common fur colors for this dog. The classic tricolor is one of the more common varieties. Sable tricolor pattern is similar to the classic tricolor, but the black is exchanged for a deep, dark brown. White and red dogs have white fur on the legs and torso, a red, burnt umber on the face and slight spotting throughout the body. White and red sable, white and black, and white and lemon (very light tan) are other papillon coat colors.

    Care and Health Problems

    • Papillons are prone to knee problems. One of the most common is a degeneration of the patella in the hind legs of the animal. This can be remedied with reconstructive surgery. Papillons also have difficulties when put under anesthesia. Papillons need a daily walk. If not suitably exercised, they can develop behavior problems. Papillons can live for up to 16 years. Daily combing of the fur helps to keep it from matting and knotting.