Papillon Dog Breed Information

The papillon is a bright, happy, little dog that enjoys being with his owner. He is very adaptable to most living conditions and likes the company of children and other pets as long as he is raised with them. He has relatively few health concerns. With lots of love and the proper care, you can enjoy many happy, healthy years with your papillon.

  1. History

    • According to Dog Breed Info, the papillon is one of the oldest recorded dog breeds. The breed dates back 700 years. Originally known as "dwarf spaniel," the dog was often depicted in paintings, sitting on the laps of French and Spanish noblewomen. Later, the dog came to be called the "continental toy spaniel." The papillon originally had drop ears but later was bred to have large, erect, fringed ears resembling a butterfly. Papillon in French means "butterfly." The papillon is considered a toy breed and was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1915.

    Appearance

    • The papillon is a tiny, fine-boned breed with large butterfly-shaped ears. He has dark, round eyes and a short, tapered muzzled. The ears can be either dropped or erect and are covered with long, fringed hair. Both styles of ears can show up in the same litter. The long tail of the papillon is carried high up over the body and covered in long hair. The papillon coat is long, fine and straight. He is white in color with patches of any color except for liver. According to the American Kennel Club, the papillon stands 8 to 11 inches high at the shoulder.

    Characteristics

    • An alert, friendly dog, the papillon is considered an intelligent breed that is easily trained. The papillon tends to be quite possessive of his owner and needs firm, gentle guidance. His owner must establish leadership over the dog or the papillon will see himself as dominant, creating behavioral issues including guarding, growling, snapping and separation anxiety. Because of the dog's desire to be a leader, he may not be good with small children. However, if the dog is raised to know that his owner is the leader of the pack, the breed can prove trustworthy and loyal to the children of the family.

    Health Concerns

    • The papillon is prone to kneecap problems, a soft spot in the skull and sometimes has difficulty under anesthesia. The breed has up to a 16-year lifespan.

    Needs

    • Grooming requirements are minimal for the papillon. He has no undercoat so does not mat easily. He still requires regular brushing and needs to be bathed about once a month. The papillon loves to play and spend time outdoors but can exercise indoors as well. The breed adjusts well as a city or country dog. Include a daily walk in his regimen to avoid behavioral problems.