The Papillon is believed to be one of the oldest of the toy breeds. Though known to be reserved with strangers, these dogs can also be protective of a human family member, and are good alarm dogs and are affectionate to those they know. While Papillon's are very athletic, having a tendency to run or chase things, they usually enjoy staying indoors.
According to the AKC breed standard, the Papillon has an abundant, flowing coat, short on the head but with a profuse frill on the chest. The Papillon has no undercoat. The tail should be a plume of long hair. The Phalène is the same as the erect-eared Papillon except for its dropped spaniel-like ears. The AKC considers the Phalène and the Papillon the same breed. Countries whose breed clubs follow the FCI standard consider Papillons and Phalènes two separate breeds.
Papillons are white with colored markings. Any colored markings are permitted. However, the color must always cover both eyes and the front and back of the ear to give the proper butterfly look. A white blaze and noseband on the face are preferred. The size should range from 8 inches to 12 inches at the shoulder (11 inches in the UK) with the average papillon being between 9 and 10.5 inches in height and weight in proportion.
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Temperament
Even though the breed has the connotation of a dainty toy breed, many owners will claim that they act like big dogs in small dogs' bodies. There are several possible reasons for this. First, the Papillion is hardy; some people find that their Papillon is very capable of handling a good five-mile walk. Some owners believe the reality is that they will resist such an outing if the grass is dampish or if there are two clouds in the sky that might lead to rain, but others have experienced them as very versatile in almost all conditions, although not necessarily with prolonged exposure. Perhaps they seem to be larger dogs because to many people Papillons appear not to be prone to small dog quaking when confronted with new situations. In fact, some Papillon owners believe that their dogs interpret any new event as having been put on for their benefit, and that the dogs do their best to be attentive hosts or hostesses. Another aspect of the Papillon that has led many to believe the 'big dog' assertion is this breed's surprising athletic ability. Perhaps people are surprised that in contrast to its staid and stately representation in the Old Master portraits, the Papillon is highly energetic and intelligent (Stanley Coren, in The Intelligence of Dogs, rates the Papillon eighth among all breeds). Provided their genetic structure is sound and they are healthy, Papillons are built for movement, and most do not need any encouragement to apply their energy to athletic activities.
Formal Breed Standard
The Papillon AKC Breed Standard
History and Origins
The Papillon originated in Spain and was perfected by the French and was a favorite at the French court. The most famous owner was Henry III; documentation of his devotion to the breed lies in his declaration of the Papillon as the official dog of the Royal Court during his tenure. Other famous owners are said to have been Marie Antoinette, and Madame de Pompadour.
There is evidence that these small dogs were favorites of European aristocrats, particularly French royalty, during the time of the Old Masters, as Continental Toy Spaniels (Phalènes and Papillons) were included in many Old Master royal portraits from as early as the sixteenth century.
The Papillon is a highly athletic breed, this Papillon is in a race, Papillon's are extremly fast runners
The Papillon is a highly athletic breed, this Papillon is in a race, Papillon's are extremly fast runners
There are many stories about the Papillon. Marie Antoinette was said to have walked to the guillotine clutching her small dog under her arm. Tradition has it that her dog was a small spaniel that had been brought to the French court from Spain on the back of pack mules. According to the story, her pup was spared and cared for in a building in Paris still called the Papillon House. Marie's small spaniel was said to have descended from a very old drop-eared breed known as the Epagneul Nain Continental, or Continental Dwarf/Toy Spaniel that appeared in church frescos and paintings as early as the 13th century.
The Papillon is still officially referred to as the Epagneul Nain Continental (ENC) in non-English-speaking countries. The name Squirrel Spaniel also has been used, most likely referring to an earlier standard in which the tail set is described as "curling over the back as a squirrel's." One version of the history of the two varieties of ear shape in the ENC ("Papillon" to denote the erect ear and "Phalène" to denote the dropped ear) is that toward the end of the 19th century, breed fanciers bred a version of the spaniel whose ears stood up. This dog was said to have been nicknamed papillon based on the impressively large, erect ears that resembled the wings of a butterfly. The drop-eared variety of the breed came to be called the Phalène (which means "night moth"). Both types are still bred today and appear in the same litter. The Papillon variety is much more common, although recently the Phalène has undergone a resurgence in popularity.
Size & Weight
Height at withers, 8 to 11 inches. Fault - Over 11 inches.
Grooming Requirments
In order to make a Papillon coat really shine to its fullest, it should be brushed once or twice a day, and the dog bathed at least every two weeks. As puppies, papillons have silky, medium length fur. They go through an "Ugly Baby stage", in which they lose much of their baby fur and grow in their adult fur.
Exercise Needs
Health Issues
The Papillon is a fairly healthy breed, but like all dog breeds there are some health problems which are prevalent. Von Willebrand's disease can occur in the breed, which is hereditary coagulation abnormality described in humans, although it can also be acquired as a result of other medical conditions. It arises from a qualitative or quantitative deficiency of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a multimeric protein that is required for platelet adhesion. It usually affects the breed, as well as other dogs in veterinary medicine. Luxating patella is usually prone to small dogs, such as the Papillions, it causes kneecap to dislocate, and affects Papillons from 4 to 6 months, it can also occur in cats.
Mitral valve dysplasia is a congenital heart defect which in dogs and cats affects the aortic, pulmonary, mitral, and tricuspid heart valves. Finally, the Progressive retinal atrophy is a is a genetic disease of the retina.
Trivia
The Papillon is a small dog breed with distinctive large, fringed ears that earned it its name, the French word for butterfly.
Marie Antoinette owned a Papillon, as well as Madame de Pompadour and Henry III, who had a very strong devotion to the breed.
