Papillon dog - General Features, Temperament, Health problems

papillon dog breed face

FCI #77, Origin: France/Belgium, Group 9.9 Continental Toy Spaniel.

Height: 8-11 in, Weight: 7 - 10 lb

Grooming/Shedding: Medium, Coat: Fine straight long enough coat without undercoat

Color: White with the markings of any color accept for brown, tri-color.

Ease of training: High, Energy level: MEDIUM, Span of life: 14-16 years

Breed: Continental Toy Spaniels had a very narrow region of living - it was Western Europe. This dogs lived exclusively in the palaces of kings, with their families and close friends. The informal name of the breed is "a dog of kings".

From the XV century, Continental Toy Spaniels became extremely popular in the royal courts of Europe from Poland to Sweden, reaching the highest popularity in France, where for centuries the dogs of this breed remained unchanged favorites. Henry III and Henry II, Louis XIV and XV, Marie Antoinette, Madame de Pompadour - they all just adored this tiny Spaniels.

There are many brilliant stories of that time about Papillons and their royal connections.

With the French King Henry III the Papillons were everywhere, they were allowed to sleep on a king's bed and to accompany the king to the State Council, comfortably ensconced in a basket hanging on the king's chest.

Henry III often personally went to Lyon, where the Papillons were bred, and paid for them unthinkable money - in 1576 he spent more than 100,000 crowns on this adorable dogs! King was even accused for the embezzling of public purse: a passionate lover of Papillons, he lost count of the money and bought a couple of new pets.

King Henry III of France shocked the members of the State Council, appearing there with a basket hanging on his neck, full of Papillons! He had three favorite pets, which were allowed to sleep in his bed. One of these dogs called Lilin was with the king in San Cloud, where a monk named Clement asked the royal audience. Lilin has so clearly expressed hostility to the monk that the king had to leave her in the lobby. Left alone with the king, a monk read his appeal, and then stabbed him in the chest with a dagger. Clement tried to flee, but Lilin and her companions raised the alarm, and he was caught. Unfortunately, it was too late, and, dying, Henry III whispered: "If only I had listened to Lilin ..."

Papillons were also living with Henry IV, who took the throne after Henry III, whose death ended the dynasty of Valois, and his descendants after Louis XIII and Louis XIV were also under the spell of Papillons. It is believed that Continental Toy Spaniels became the first "not-working" breed, which was already bred professionally at that time.

All legitimate and illegitimate offspring of King Louis XIV had this small Spaniels, which is confirmed with portraits by Mignard, Largiler, Gober and other artists. For thirty years, the king retained the same type dogs: black and white, sometimes three-color, with moderately thick coat and long ears. Such constancy is the clear evidence of selection. The great king, most likely, kept in the breeding of dogs the course of interbreeding, as well, however, he supported kinship marriages in the royal family.

The exterior of Toy Spaniels today can be easily imagined by the preserved until our time images of these dogs in numerous paintings of Italian and French artists of the XIV - XIX centuries. Studying of paintings makes it clear how the small Spaniels, the ancestors of Papillon and Phalen, reminiscent their descendants. Tiny dogs - living toys, today they are also white with black or red spots on the body. And their character, judging from the stories, was the same playful, as it is today.

Throughout the Renaissance, and later - in the era of the Reformation - Papillons remained a favorite breed of nobility and proudly paraded on the paintings of artists. Titian, Largilere, Magrid, Fragonard, Boucher and many other artists, lovingly painted portraits of the first beauties of the court and (with no less passion) were drawing yet modestly drooping ears and a sleek silhouettes of the Continental Toy Spaniels. And now, because of their paintings, we can trace the history and development of the breed. Highest achievements in the development of the Papillon are reflected in portraits of the members of royal families and nobles.

These dogs were very popular in France in the XVII century. Papillons are depicted in the paintings of many artists of the Renaissance: Rubens and others often drew representatives of high society, along with their dogs.

Brilliant life of a small Spaniels lasted until the French Revolution.

papillon dog breed

By the middle of the XIX century Papillons revived, thanks to the British, Belgian and French breeders.

But here began a new round in the history of the breed. These tiny lap dog attracted breeder's interest in England. There the breed until now is called not only by the traditional French-sounding name, but also by English name - Butterfly. Rather modest coat of Spaniel there was decided to enrich by adding a blood of Spitz. This bold combination has helped now to put the rich fluffy tail on the back. The experts spotted out the dogs with well furred ears and long hair on them and on the tail (at least 15 cm) so that the cultivation of the dogs went in several directions simultaneously: a fine coat over the body (without undercoat), beautifully dressed ears and a tail lying on the back. So the Great Britain and - later - Northern Europe (Sweden and Finland), gave the world a new modern Papillon.

The Continental Toy Spaniel is a result of a collaborative efforts between dog breeding and arts. Painting of Italian artist Titian "The Daughter of Roberto Strozzi" (1542) depicts a girl with a dog. It is this white and red little Spaniel of the XVI century was adopted as a model for Congress in the French city of Lille in 1934. With the miniature Spaniels of Titian began the modern era for the breed.

Yet it is the latest modification of the old breed that is gradually becoming more widely known and popular in the world. In 1996 at the prestigious dog show in England the Papillon Tussalud wins in the group of toy dogs. In the same year in America was held Westminster dog show, where the winner was Papillon Ch Loteki. A recognition of the Papillon Kirby (America) the Absolute Winner of the World Dog Show under the auspices of the FCI in 1998 in Helsinki was a real victory for both - the breeders, and just fans of these adorable dogs. Since then, at different times and in different countries, charming and attractive Papillons seems to be just merged with the places of winners.

General Features: A distinctive feature of these dogs are the ears, which are raised in the state resemble butterfly wings. The word "Papillon" is French and means "butterfly".

Papillon is very elegant, harmoniously built dog with fine bones. His head is small, slightly rounded. Well-marked transition from forehead to muzzle. Between the ears, the skull is slightly rounded, the muzzle is pointed and sharply narrowed. Nose must be black. Tail is high set, curled up on the back, reminiscent of the Sultan. The coat is straight, abundant, dense, silky, lying close to the body. On the feet some feathering is mandatory. Recognized colors: white with patches of any color except dark chestnut (reddish brown). For the tri-color Papillons the standard color is white with black spots and red markings above the eyes, cheeks and at the base of the tail. Very desirable is a symmetric coloring of the head.

Temperament: Papillons with their elegant gait, grace and cleanliness resemble cats. These affectionate dogs are very attached to people. They can not stand screaming or rudeness. During the training they need only positive reinforcement, because the most important thing for a Toy Spaniel is to please his master. Papillon breeders believe that this breed is not suitable for keeping in cages. Although the Toy Spaniels get along well with the other dogs, but to communicate with their relatives is not enough for them: they need regular and sustained contact with people. They need to feel that the owner needs them. Papillon is very conservative and observant. If you are somewhat back away from habitual patterns of behavior, the dog will perceive this action as a mistake of the owner. If the dog got used to your lifestyle, you can safely leave him for a few hours alone. But the long absence of the owner every day for this dog is a disaster. Papillons need to communicate. Above all that, the Toy Spaniel by his nature is not a destroyer, so he can be safely kept in the apartment with expensive furniture and other household items. It is enough to spend quite a bit of educational efforts, and the adult dog will understand what is required. More carefully you should take the training of a puppy: it's better not to leave him alone in those rooms where he may spoil something.

In the apartment it is very easy to teach Papillon to use the tray, to avoid the necessity to walk your pet too early in the morning or late at night. Thus, you can easily train him to go for walks only at a convenient time for the owner. This dog is quite easy: adapted to long walks, but can also do well without any special physical exercises. Interestingly, the Papillon takes any climate.

Like all the other dogs, the Toy Spaniel can not serve as a toy for children, and be a subject of abuse. Papillon is very affectionate and gentle, never bites in self defense, so you can not trust them to hyperactive and arrogant children. However, the lightweight of a Toy Spaniel allows the decent child to easily cope with such a dog, so the kids and the dogs have great pleasure playing together.

Papillon work very well on the general course of obedience.

Among 79 breeds of dog, who passed popular tests of Koren on ingenuity, the Toy Spaniel took the ninth place. And among the toy breeds - the first one! Particularly well these miniature dogs were coping with the tasks, where it was necessary to memorize words and find solutions to difficult situations. Thus, mental ability of a Papillon, according to the serious professionals, is very high.

Health problems: Generally the Papillon is quite healthy breed. It should be noticed, that some Papillons may have problems under anesthesia.

papillon dog breed photo



Do You Want to Get This Dog Breed for Free ?
Read more ->