Papillon

Dog Breed Profile

Papillon History

The Papillon is a toy spaniel that is known for its butterfly-like ears. The Papillon is a toy spaniel that was originally developed in France, where the breed is known as the “butterfly dog”. The butterfly shape of the ear of the Papillon gives the appearance that the dog is smiling. The exact origin of the Papillon is unclear. The modern day Papillon most likely descended from the Barbet and Phalène, two ancient French water dogs. The Butterfly dogs were prized by royalty in 17th-century France, and were admired for their elegant appearance and graceful movements. The popularity of the Butterfly dogs faded in the 1800s, and by the early 1900s the breed was considered nearly extinct. The Belgian kennel club began breeding the diminutive spaniels in 1934, and by 1936 the butterfly-eared canine was deemed a “rare variety”.

Time of Origin

1500

Country of Origin

France

Ancestry

Spitz

Papillon Physical Characteristics

The Papillon is a small, short-haired, bulky, compact, and stocky toy breed that typically stands between 7 and 10.5 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 3.5 and 8.5 pounds. They have a small head with a short muzzle, large ears, a long tail, and a thin, flat, and round nose. The Papillon has a medium sized, thick, and short fur that comes in solid white, silver, black, cream, or red bicolor. They are energetic and playful dogs that are very alert.

Eye Colors

Brown

Nose Colors

Unknown

Coat Colors

Unknown

Height Range

Male Height Range: 8 – 11 inches

Female Height Range: 8 – 11 inches

Weight Range

Male Weight Range: 8 – 10 lbs

Female Weight Range: 7 – 9 lbs

Papillon Health

Description of breed health.

Lifespan

12-15 yrs

Papillon Health Concerns

Patellar Luxation, Deafness, Hip Dysplasia, Mitral Valve Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cataracts, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Follicular Dysplasia

Papillon Temperament and Behaviour

The Papillon is a small, happy, and inquisitive breed of dog. They are loyal to their owners and very loving, but are also wary of strangers and make good watch dogs. They are playful and energetic, but also like to relax. They are easily trained, but can be stubborn if they aren’t motivated.

Papillon Activity Requirements

Papillon are a small, happy-go-lucky breed of dog. They are intelligent, gentle, and loyal. While they are not overly active, they do enjoy a brisk walk each day. Most Papillon will enjoy a daily walk around the neighborhood. They are best suited to apartment living as long as they get their daily walks. If you are looking for a small, friendly, and lap-loving companion, a Papillon may be the perfect choice. They don’t need a ton of exercise and they don’t need a huge yard, but they do need to feel loved and cared for.