Papillon: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The papillon is a petite yet hardytoy dogwith an alert, active, and friendly demeanor. Though named for the butterfly-like appearance of its erect ears, the breed can also be seen in a drop-eared variety. The breed originated in France as dwarf spaniels, which didn't have the erect ears that the breed is named for now. The ears are a matter of personal preference, so they are not considered a fault or defect if dropped. Puppies with each type can appear in the same litter.

Characteristics of the Papillon

Papillons are delightful little dogs that make great part-time lap dogs and part-time exercise buddies. They also make excellent companions for many types of households. This breed is usually good for households that have more than one pet and papillons get along well with cats if you have socialized them. It's also a great breed for afirst-time dog owner.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	Medium
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	High
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	Medium
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	High
Amount of Shedding	Low

History of the Papillon

The Papillon originated in France, where it was named for its signature ears.Papillonmeans butterfly in French. However, not all of them have erect ears: The drop-eared variety is known as thephalene(moth).

The breed was once known as a dwarf spaniel and may date back as far as the thirteenth century. Papillons gained popularity in Spain and Italy over time, where they were often depicted in classic paintings. Those were the drop-eared variety—papillons with erect ears didn't appear until the late 1800s. Famous owners include King Louis XIV of France and Marie Antoinette.

Papillons were brought to the U.S. during the late 19th century. The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1915 and fully represented by their own breed club in 1935.

A papillon named Loteki Supernatural Being (Kirby) won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 1999. He also won the World Dog Show and the Royal Invitational in Canada.

Papillon Care

Papillons are smart dogs that can be trained to participate in dog sports or compete in obedience competitions. While tiny in size, they are more active than the typical lap dog and will want to be busily exploring. Papillons like interaction and mental stimulation and if they are left alone for long stretches, they can develop separation anxiety and behavior problems.

Exercise

Papillons are also energetic and driven, so routineexerciseis highly recommended. Papillons need plenty of active playtime. They should be exercised with two to three walks per day for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. It's good to have a yard or dog park available where they can run around as well. Be aware during walks that because they have only a single-layer coat, they may need protection or a sweater during cold weather, but this breed tolerates hot weather well.

Grooming

The papillon has a long, fine, silky hair coat that requires moderategrooming—specifically hair brushing two to three times a week. However, the hair does not grow continuously, so the breed should not need haircuts.

Training

Like many small dogs, the papillon may have a feisty and stubborn streak, though the breed is quite smart and should learn well if you are diligent. Consistentobedience trainingis a must.

They like to be the pack leader with other dogs in the household and will also be the pack leader towards humans if you don't train them correctly. This can lead to small dog syndrome, where the dog exhibits undesirable behavior like jumping up and growling at its owner.

Common Health Problems

Responsible breeders strive to maintain the highestbreed standardsas established by kennel clubs like the AKC. Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to develop hereditary conditions. However, some hereditary health problems can occur in the breed. The following are some conditions to be aware of:

• Patellar Luxation:This is a loose kneecap that can slip out of place and cause pain and lameness until the muscle relaxes so it can return to its position.
• Collapsing Trachea:This can be seen with symptoms of coughing.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy(PRA):This is a degenerative eye condition that can lead to blindness.

Diet and Nutrition

You will need to ensure this tiny dog doesn't becomeoverweightas that can exacerbate any tendency towards knee problems. Most papillons do well with .25 to .5 cups of dry food, divided into two meals. That may seem like a tiny amount, but it is easy to overfeed a papillon and see weight gain. Don't leave out food for free-feeding throughout the day. Make sure you and your family members don't feed a papillonhuman foodas a treat.

If you notice your papillon has gained weight, discuss this with your veterinarian to get a recommendation for a feeding schedule, dog food, and exercise that can help keep your dog at the correct weight.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Papillon

Before searching for a papillon, remember that it's a toy breed, and this type of dog is fragile, which means they can easily become injured since they are so light and small. But if papillons sound irresistible to you,The Papillon Club of Americais a great place to start your search for a pup. Consult their breeder referral list (organized by state) to find a member breeder. You can research rescue groups in your area, or try thePapAdopters & Placement Service, a volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing and re-homing purebred papillons.

Adopting a papillon will run a few hundred dollars to cover the costs of care. However, a breeder can charge between $800 up to $3,000 for a papillon puppy. It also helps to know that finding a papillon breeder can be challenging.

Papillon Overview

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Before you decide whether the papillon is the right dog for you, be sure to do plenty of research. Talk to other papillon owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more.

If you’re interested in similar breeds, look into these to compare the pros and cons:

• Pomeranian
• Havanese
• Maltese
• Chinese Crested
• Schipperke

There’s a whole world of potential欧宝体育平台信誉out there. With a little research, you can find the right one to bring home.