If you are looking for a small dog breed with the beauty and grace of a butterfly, a heart of gold, and a level of intelligent far above many other small breeds of dog, the Papillon may be the dog breed for you. This ancient breed of Italian heritage has been a favorite of the privileged for many centuries, and has since pranced his tiny way into the hearts and homes of small dog lovers world wide.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Papillon Size
Variations: None
Papillon
Colors:
* Black and White Papillon
* Fawn and White Papillon
* Lemon Papillon
* White & Red Papillon
* Sable Papillon
* Tri color Papillon
Papillon Height: 20-28 cm (8-11 inches), over 11 inches is a fault and over 12 inches is a disqualification from the conformation show ring
Papillon Weight:
7-10 pounds (3–5 kg), but they can also get to (14- 16), pounds at the heaviest.
Papillon
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Papillon
Grooming Needs: Moderate
Papillon Life Expectancy (Lifespan):
12 to 15 years
Are Papillons Child-Friendly? Yes, with supervision.
Papillon Training:
Easy
Breed Group:
Toy
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
The Papillon dog breed originated in United States of
America. Once a favorite pet of French and Spanish nobility, the Papillon is thought to have originated in Italy. The breed type has remained true for more than 700 years, and this unique breed has been portrayed in works of art dating back at least that long.
Papillon means "butterfly" in French - a name likely given the breed thanks to it's ears, which, when erect resemble the butterfly. The white blaze that runs down the top of this dog's head adds to the butterfly appearance. If you are thinking about adding a Papillon to your family, you can be assured of getting a very dainty, lively, clean and affectionate pet, measuring from just eight to 11 inches at the shoulder. It's fine, soft and silky coat is white with patches of any color or tri-color (black and white with tan markings). The nose, eyes and lips are black, and the gorgeous tail is thickly plumed and carried proudly over the body. To watch a Papillon move, one gets the impression of a proud little dog that literally prances.
Papillons are known for their very large, butterfly-like ears. Papillons are parti-colored (white with markings of any color). An all white dog or a dog with no white is disqualified from the conformation show ring.
Papillons can be registered with AKC as the following colors:
* Black and White Papillon
* Fawn and White Papillon
* Lemon Papillon
* White & Red Papillon
* Sable Papillon
* Tri color Papillon (which is the least common color of this breed)
The most distinctive aspect of the Papillon is its large ears, which are well fringed with colored (not white) silky fur. The color covers both eyes and the front and back of the ears to give the ideal butterfly look. A white blaze and noseband is preferred over a solid-colored head. Nose, eye-rims, and lips should be black. Paw pads vary in color from black or pink depending on the coloring of the dog.
There are two ear variations of this breed, the completely upright ears of the more common Papillon, and the dropped spaniel-like ears of the Phalène. The American Kennel Club and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale consider the Phalène and the Papillon the same breed.[3] The Papillon coat is abundant, long, and silky. There is no undercoat. Ears are well-fringed with the inside covered with silken fur of medium length. Tail is long, well-fringed, set on high, arched over back with fringes falling to side to form plume. The head is slightly rounded between the ears, and the muzzle is fine, tapering, and narrower than the skull with an abrupt stop. Height: 20-28 cm (8-11 inches), over 11 inches is a fault and over 12 inches is a disqualification from the conformation show ring. Weight: 7-10 pounds (3–5 kg), but they can also get to (14- 16), pounds at the heaviest.
If you've been throwing your money away in therapy, the Papillon may just be what you need. These small, intelligent dogs are the psychotherapists of the dog world! Highly attentive and great listeners, most Papillon dogs display the amazing ability to empathize with their owners mood and circumstances, providing a canine "emotional crutch" that for some has been far more effective (and inexpensive!) than Prozac or the Psychiatrists couch.
As if this trait weren't enough to have the Papillon voted the world's most wonderful dog, the breed is lively and cheerful, but not demanding as some breeds can be. The Papillon is happy to share both joy and sorrow with it's owners; surely the ultimate companion - whether canine or not.
Despite the dainty appearance and diminutive stature, the Papillon has "big dog" athletic abilities. Some owners say the Papillon is a "big dog" in a little dog's suit; ready, willing and able to take on a 5 mile walk, run or hike. Papillons are a very old breed, and as such are not riddled with the health problems associated with many more modern breeds. That being said, Papillons from any source other than a highly responsible, reputable breeder may not possess this vitality and vigor. As with all popular purebred dog breeds, puppy mills and back yard breeders breeding Papillons (among other breeds) are in existence throughout North America, and generally produce inbred, unhealthy, genetically diseased and ill-tempered puppies from dogs that are kept in inhumane environments.
Choose your breeder wisely, ensuring that you only consider purchasing a Papillon puppy from a breeder who is highly knowledgeable about the breed, and breeds only the best to the best in an effort to produce puppies that are healthy, sound, conformationally correct and well-socialized.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Despite what you may surmise from admiring the undeniably glamorous Papillon, grooming is a walk in the park. A "wash and wear" dog breed, the Papillon really does not require a great deal of grooming. An occasional bath and a few brushings each week will keep your Papillon's long, silky coat as shiny as his personality. As with other breeds, you'll want to trim your Papillon's nails regularly, clean inside his ears with an acidifying cleanser, and (of course) brush his teeth to help keep doggie breath and gum disease at bay.
Highly intelligent and eager to please, the Papillon is one of the easiest small dog breeds to train.
As with all dog breeds, it's best to start early and be consistent, lavishing praise and a few tasty treats when your Papillon does good, and interrupting unwanted behavior, without drawing too much attention to it. Papillons thrive on attention from their owners, so praise is like attention on steroids to this charming little dog.
The athletic Papillon can also be trained for agility; and activity that these "little big dogs" attack with gusto.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
The Papillon is a healthy, long lived breed of dog with few, if any health problems. This vitality and longevity can be attributed to the age of this breed; the Papillon dog breed dates back many centuries.
That having been said, it's always of utmost importance that you acquire your Papillon puppy from a reputable, responsible breeder, knowledgeable about the breed and dog breeding in general.
Puppy Mills and back yard breeders are everywhere, and the Papillon is among the hundreds of popular dog breeds exploited by these inhumane and irresponsible breeders. Don't be fooled by posh pet stores selling puppies dolled up like babies for astronomical prices; you can bet on the fact that these puppies come from puppy mills at worst, or back yard breeders at best, and you'll be taking a big gamble on the health, temperament and longevity of any puppy purchased from these sources. You'll also be supporting an industry that profits from the torture and neglect of defenseless dogs and puppies.
Please choose your breeder wisely, ensuring that your breeder treats her breeding dogs as members of the family, and breeds out of love for the breed, rather than profit. Your Papillon breeder should be knowledgeable about the breed, ensure that breeding dogs are healthy and free of inheritable disorders that could crop up in the puppies, and raise her puppies in the home with love and gentle handling. A reputable breeder will stand behind the health and temperament of her puppies with a a reasonable health guarantee, and will want to make sure that you are a responsible puppy buyer ready to make a firm commitment to taking on a canine companion. Don't settle for anything less. A responsible breeder may have a waiting list for her puppies, but you can be assured that the puppy you receive will be well worth the wait.
The Papillon makes an excellent family pet for any size accommodation and is ideally suited to the stay-at-home. Regular brushing and the occasional bath are all the grooming required, and exercise needs are minimal. Because of the breed's diminutive size and stature, the Papillon is not suited to households with children under 6 years of age. Loyal, loving and protective, Papillons make good watch dogs, too!
Now that you have decided that the Papillon is the right breed
for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible
Papillon breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized
puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad
breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Papillon puppy
you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a
responsible Papillon breeder, you may need to pay more and wait
longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it.
Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard
breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional
expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love
with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely
need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication -
or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible,
caring Papillon breeder who home-raises their puppies with
love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a
health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the
Papillon breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather
than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a
healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that
will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter
and companionship.
Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...
Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These
sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders
listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Papillon puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many
sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for
puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear
of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the
breeders whom they allow to advertise.
We Highly Recommend:
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Choosing a name for your Papillon puppy can be a daunting
task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot
of thought and research to find just the right name for your
Papillon. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a
few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you
decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of
humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side?
A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Papillon
puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue
about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog
names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful
information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just
"garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on
visitor hits for this popular subject.
We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name
for your new Papillon puppy. These sites offer inventive,
unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped
thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for
their new baby!
Papillon Dog Names
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Papillons are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at
Papillon pictures, you can usually gain more insight into
what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help
you decide if you really want to become an Papillon owner.
The following sites below offer pictures of Papillon dogs,
Papillon puppy photos, funny Papillon photos and
more. Enjoy!
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn
more about the Papillon dog breed. We've compiled a list of
Papillon information sites to assist you in quickly locating
quality information about the Papillon dog breed, while
avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor
attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general.
If you know of an Papillon information site that offers
unique, quality information and photos of the Papillon
breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so
that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Papillon clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn
even more about the Papillon dog breed, help you locate a
responsible Papillon breeder, or help you find an Papillon dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving,
forever home. We've compiled the following list of Papillon
clubs and Papillon rescues web sites for your convenience:
Papillon Clubs -
Papillon Rescues
