Instructions
Locate a responsible papillon breeder by contacting the American Kennel Club of Papillon Club of America. Many papillons advertised in the newspaper and online are the product of puppy mills and may be irresponsibly bred and raised. These puppies are prone to many health and temperament issues.
Avoid pet shop puppies. Reputable breeders will have waiting lists for puppies and rarely sell puppies to a pet store. Pet stores often get puppies from puppy mills and from backyard breeders who usually don't follow good breeding and dog care standards. You gamble the longevity, health and temperament of any dog purchased at a pet shop.
Screen breeders carefully. Look for a breeder who hand raises puppies, screens breeding stock for health issues, offers a health guarantee and provides after-sale support. Many reputable breeders will guarantee replacing a puppy that suffers or dies from a congenital disease.
Locate a papillon rescue group and ask if any dogs are available for re-homing. If not, ask if you may be put on a waiting list.
How to Find a Papillon
The papillon's erect, fringed ears lend this breed of dog its name, which means butterfly in French. Papillons are tiny, gentle, intelligent dogs that generally get along well with children and other dogs and so make good family pets. The toy breed averages 8 to 11 inches in height at its shoulders and weighs between 5 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Key to finding a healthy papillon is finding a reputable breeder. Papillons have small litters of puppies, so you may need to be placed on a waiting list to obtain a puppy.