The Papillon means butterfly in French; they are instantly recognisable with their upright ears. Another variety has drop ears and can even come from the same litter.
They are bright and busy little dogs, they are the perfect size for a lapdog, but they will be busy doing more important stuff than lounging! They have the swagger of a terrier and believe they are much bigger than they are. This could be the perfect breed for you if you are looking for a fun and energetic addition to your family or household.
They need plenty of exercise and playtime; they are not lapdogs. This is not a breed for couch potatoes. You will need to be able to commit to long walks and endless games to keep them happy. They adapt well to living in an apartment/flat, but you would need to be able to keep them entertained and active.
Remember, a bored dog will usually become a naughty dog, whether it be nuisance barking, chewing or digging. Try to ensure they are occupied with jobs, playtime or plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.
They make great affectionate family pets, but they are not suitable for families with young children as they have their limits to being pulled around. They are very playful, so they will spend hours running around with older children and playing endless games with them.
They make for excellent watchdogs, in fact, one the best breeds. They will alert you to everything little thing going on. They can be a little barky, so you will need to train them to be quiet on command. They are a bit un-trusting of strangers, and you will need to make sure they are socialised early on to combat this.
They should be fine with other dogs and cats if brought up with them. They can be a little bossy and possessive, even with much larger dogs. Their instinctive need to chase neighbours’ cats and small animals is probably too strong to control. Make sure you have a well-fenced garden; these guys are small and very quick.
They are very intelligent dogs but a little stubborn, but they should be pretty easy to train and work with. Try to keep training exciting and fun and avoid being harsh with them. Identifying their motivation reward early will get you the best results, and it’s normally food.
They are low to medium shedders and small, so it seems like fewer hairs. They shed more in Spring and Autumn as they change their coats. They require at least weekly brushing to keep on top of developing mats, especially around their ears.
Papillion Stats
This breed appeared in paintings in the 1200s and was known then as the toy Spaniel and was owned by royalty and noblemen. Many pictures feature the toy Spaniel with dropped ears called the Phalene (moth) and the large erect ears of the Papillon.
- Weight -2kg –3kg
- Size – 20cm – 28cm
- They live for 13-16years