About the Papillon…
The Papillon, "butterfly dog", so named for the beautiful large, mobile ears with long fringing, and the lesser known Phalene, the drop eared variety named after the moth, are believed to be descendants of the Continental Toy Spaniel. Although "Spaniel" means "dog of Spain", it is very difficult to trace the Papillons country of origin. Many believe that the breed originated in Spain but was developed in France, hence the names.
Description
A small, dainty, lively little dog, with an abundant, fine, straight, silky coat. The ears are large with long, silky fringes.
There are two types - the Papillon (butterfly) with ears that are erect and mobile, and the Phalene (moth) that have dropped ears. Their tail is carried arched over the back, with a long plume falling to the side. Colouring is white with patches of any colour, except liver. Head markings should be symmetrical with a good white blaze and nose band.
Character
They are an extremely lively little dog, being friendly and outgoing to everybody they meet, always expecting a game or a cuddle! They love to be the centre of attention.
Grooming
With their fine, silky coat they obviously require regular grooming. A fine tooth comb together with a real bristle brush will keep knots at bay. Spray the coat with water or an anti-static spray before combing so that the coat does not split. Their teeth need care and attention, lots of raw bones or regular cleaning is required.
Training
Papillons are willing to please, but equally need a lot of patience to train as they quickly become distracted! They do not react well to harsh training methods, but will respond to lavish praise and rewards. They love to work and do well in things such as mini-agility or obedience. They can be very difficult to housetrain and require patience and vigilance!
Exercise
Being a toy dog they don't require a lot of exercise. However they are extremely lively and do enjoy a good walk. Plenty of games in the garden also help to keep them amused.
Health
The Papillon is a reasonably healthy little breed, but there have been cases of PRA and they can suffer from patella luxation. They are a long-lived breed and can have an average life-expectancy of around 14/15 years. The oldest known Papillon lived to the age of 24 years!
What do we love about the Papillon?
Their great sense of fun and the unfailing love they give you.
What do we not like about the Papillon?
The only bad point we have found is the fact that they can be incredibly difficult to housetrain! However, this may not be a problem in the home that has only one dog and plenty of patience!
(Re-produced by kind permission of Mrs. J. Terry (Babrees Papillons)
