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Papillon
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The Papillon /pæpijɑn/ (French for "butterfly") is a small, friendly,
elegant breed of dog of the Spaniel type, distinguished from other
breeds by its large butterfly-like ears. The Papillon is one of the
oldest of the toy Spaniels.
Papillons were bred for companionship, and make excellent watch
dogs.
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Description
Appearance
Papillons are known for their very large, butterfly-like ears.
Papillons are parti-colored (white with markings of any color). An all
white dog or a dog with no white is disqualified from the
conformation show ring.
Papillons can be registered with AKC as the following colors:
- Black and White
- Fawn and White
- Lemon
- White & Red
- Sable
- Tri color which is the least common color of this breed.
The most distinctive aspect of the Papillon is its large ears, which
are well fringed with colored (not white) silky fur. The color covers
both eyes and the front and back of the ears to give the ideal
butterfly look. A white blaze and noseband is preferred over a solid-
colored head. Nose, eye-rims, and lips should be black. Paw pads
vary in color from black or pink depending on the coloring of the
dog.
The Papillon is considered to be a "wash and wear" breed and
does not require excessive grooming. Papillons have a coat of fine
fur, single length coat. As puppies, papillons have short length fur
and as adults, the coat is long and silky. Their fur is very long,
plush and soft to touch, until about three months old.
There are two ear variations of this breed, the completely upright
ears of the more common Papillon, and the dropped spaniel-like
ears of the Phalène. The American Kennel Club and the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale consider the Phalène and
the Papillon the same breed. The Papillon coat is abundant, long,
and silky. There is no undercoat. Ears are well-fringed with the
inside covered with silken fur of medium length. Tail is long, well-
fringed, set on high, arched over back with fringes falling to side to
form plume. The head is slightly rounded between the ears, and
the muzzle is fine, tapering, and narrower than the skull with an
abrupt stop. Height: 20-28 cm (8-11 inches), over 11 inches is a
fault and over 12 inches is a disqualification from the conformation
show ring. Weight: 7-10 pounds (3–5 kg) but they can also get to
14-16 pounds at the heaviest.
Temperament
The Papillon has the appearance of a dainty toy breed, but many
owners will claim that their dogs are "big dogs in little dog suits".
Some people find that their Papillon is very capable of handling a
good five-mile walk. One aspect of the Papillon that has led many
to believe the "big dog" assertion is this breed's surprising athletic
ability. In contrast to its staid and stately representation in the Old
Master portraits, the Papillon is highly energetic and intelligent.
The breed is far older than any other represented by the AKC and
is more notable for its psychological abilities than its athletic parlor
tricks; the Papillon's true strength lies in its ability to perceive the
emotional needs of its owner and to translate them into a healthy
psychological environment. In other words, the animal becomes
what the owner needs at the time, depending on circumstances.
Provided their genetic structure is sound, and they are not the
product of "puppy mill" inbreeding, they are generally healthy
animals. Papillons are built for movement, and most do not need
any encouragement to apply their energy to athletic activities.
History
The History of the Papillon is traced through works of art. The
earliest toy spaniels resembling the Papillon are found in Italy.
Tiziano Vicelli painted these small dogs in many famous paintings
beginning around 1500 including the Venus of Urbino (1542).
Other well known artists who included them in paintings are
Watteau, Gonzalez Coques, Fragonard, Paolo Veronese, and
Mignard. In a painting after Largillierre in the Wallace Collection in
London, a Papillon is clearly shown in a family portrait of Louis XIV.
Papillons are also in paintings of royal families around Europe and
paintings of merchant class families. The breed was popular in
England, France, and Belgium, which are considered countries of
origin by the FCI.
The "Titian spaniels" and those portrayed by later artists through
Mignard and his contemporaries had the drooping ears
characteristic of today's Phalène; it was not until the end of the
19th century that the erect-eared appearance became fashionable
and gave the breed's modern name, Papillon, French for
"butterfly". The Titian spaniels were also exclusively red-and-white
in coloration, in contrast to the many recognized colorations of
today's Papillon.
The Papillon's history and long association with royalty have led to
many stories about the breed. Marie Antoinette is said to have
walked to the guillotine clutching her small dog under her arm,
likely an apocryphal tale. However, tradition has it that Marie
Antoinette's 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 Antoinette's dog 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.
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Papillon
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Country of origin
France
Weight
7-10 lb
Height
8-11 in
Coat
Fine, single length
Color
Multiple
Life span
13-15 years
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The Papillon is a highly athletic
breed. This Papillon is
demonstrating the breed's great
speed in dog agility.
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The most affordable Dog Breed Test
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