Papillon Dog Breed Profile

by Luke Blaise

AKC Group: Toy Group

The Papillon dog is a compact, likable, classy toy dog having a fine boned framework. He's dainty and light, but still lively, and is recognized from other dogs by his stunning, butterfly-like ears. The word Papillon actually means "butterfly" in French.

History

Papillons, which accustomed to have only big, drooping ears, were famous in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as Dwarf Spaniels and were usually shown on the laps of Spanish and French noblewomen. As time passes, an erect-eared type, bordered as to look like the ears of a butterfly, originated. In America, Phalenes and Papillions could be born in the exact litter and they are shown jointly as one breed.

Physical Features

Height at withers, eight to eleven inches. Fault - Over eleven inches. Proportion on the body should be a bit longer compared to height at withers. It isn't a cobby breed. Length is equal to height. The substance of great-boned framework. Abundant, fine, flowing, long, silky, straight with tough quality, flat on sides and back of body. An excessive frill on chest. There's no undercoat. Hair close and short on muzzle, skull, front of forelegs, and to hocks from hind feet.

Usually parti-color or white with pads of any shade(s). At the head, shade(s) apart from white covers both ears, front and back, and lengthen with no interruption from ears over each eye. An obviously defined white noseband and blaze are ideal to a solidly notable head. Balance of facial markings is likable. The absence, presence, placement, shape or size patches of shade on the body are with no importance. Among the shades there's no option, given nose, lips and eye rims are very well pigmented black.

Personality

Happy, alert and friendly. Neither shy nor aggressive.

Common Health Problems

Sometimes susceptible to difficulties with the kneecaps (patella) on the hind legs, this can be repaired by surgery. Likewise fontanel (an opening towards the top of the skull just like an infant human's "soft spot"). It often heals itself but if it doesn't, the dog must be protected. Several have a hard time under anesthesia.

Return to: Complete AKC Dog Breed List

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