Papillon
Papillon
History:
Country/Date of Origin: Belgium/1500s
Ladies of the French and Italian courts fancied the little spaniels which were originally drop eared (see Phalene). Both Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour helped to make the breed fashionable. The dwarf spaniels were carried to England and then to the U.S. The breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1935.
Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns
Back to TopButterfly Dog, Continental Spaniel
AKC Group: Toy (shown with the Phalene)
Breed Club: Papillon Club of America
Rescue Club: Papillon Club of America Rescue
Back to TopBody Type:
- A miniature spaniel whose appearance is said to resemble a butterfly
- The erect ears are not altered
- The plume of a tail carried jauntily across the back is not altered
- Height: 8-11 inches (at shoulder); Anything over 12 inches is a disqualification
- Weight: 8-10 pounds
Personality:
- Loves to be pampered! In fact, insists on it. Bright and active
- Gets along well with other pets and loves to be around people. Craves companionship in fact
- Can be assertive if it is threatened or stressed
- Very protective and because of its tendency to bark an alarm, is a good watchdog
Coat:
- Long silky single coat
- Hair is exceptionally long on the tail and chest
- Must be primarily white but has to have patches of color covering the ears and eyes
- Additional patches of color on the body are allowed
- Moderate grooming
Health Concerns:
- Sturdy and healthy in spite of its delicate appearance
- However, the small size of the Phalene automatically rules out this breed as a pet for active children who might break its bones
- Slipped patella which gives the gait a "hop and a skip" appearance
- Low blood sugar
Tasty Tidbits: Papillon means "butterfly" in French. The fringed ears and face markings are supposed to resemble a butterfly and the bouncing, flitting gait of the dogs reinforces the resemblance further Phalenes and Papillons may be born in the same litter
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