If you are looking for a dog who will be a precious and elegant companion then a Papillon will fit the bill perfectly. Papillon’s have a small size and look like cute stuffed toys, they are also known for their high compatibility and fun loving nature. Their general appearance is comforting and they have a soft cuddly trait in them. They may look little but are widely loved and adopted by beautiful ladies.
History and Health :
- History :
You would find references to the Papillon in beautiful works of art, many world renowned painters have portrayed this dog in their portraits as early as the 16th century. Popular opinion for the Papillon being present in the work of such established artists is that this dog was synonymous with royalty in rich and influential families of England and France. These dogs were earlier known as ‘Titan Spaniels’ and only after the 19th century they got popular by the Phalène or Papillon names which means butterfly in the French language.
This name was bestowed upon them due to their unique erect-ears which looked like the wings of a butterfly. There are many references to Papillons across all layers of history of the English and the French era. Queens were known to hold on to Papillon’s like a clutch and they were the center of much love and affection.
They are still known as Epagneul Nain in countries such as Italy, Belgium, Germany and parts of France. They are also commonly referred as Squirrel Dog due to their unique tails that is similar to a squirrel. Two major breeds of the Papillon exists today – Pointy eared Papillons and Droopy ears Papillons. In today’s world Papillons are very popular and are a regular winners at dog shows across the world, besides being cute and beautiful companions they are also known for their agility and obedience.
- Health :
Papillons are generally very energetic and perky dogs and are resistant to most common ailments that occur on other larger dogs. A few cases of Papillons suffering from dislocated kneecap due to an accident or calcium deficiency, seizures and common dental problems are reported and easily treated annually. In rare cases Papillons may suffer from progressive vision loss, vertebral disk issues and some allergies.
Temperament & Personality :
- Personality :
Papillons are renowned for their happy go lucky personality and overall friendly demeanor. They are adventures and one should not be fooled by their nimble appearance, as soon as you take your eyes of your beloved Papillon he will be off to exploration activity. They are children friendly and do not display a shy or aggressive behavior except when subjected to extreme circumstances.
- Activity Requirements :
Like most of their counterparts across different dog species Papillons need a regular walk (20 min walk every morning and evening is recommended). Most owners believe that if their Papillon is playing in the house then that should substantiate the need for any other exercise but this is an incorrect notion and a daily walk or run is a must to keep your Papillon in good health.
It is recommended to keep your Papillon away from other big dogs as they tend to harm them and do not let them off the leash unless you are leaving him in a safe environment (such as a fenced yard) for playing. Papillons are known as very energetic job and would love to fetch a bone, ball or even newspaper thrown towards them.
- Trainability :
Papillons exhibit high intelligence and traits of self-assurance and are one of the easiest breeds to train. Apart from being agile and energetic Papillons are also known as an obedient species and respond to authority. Remember to be patient with them and reward them for positive behavior.
- Behavioral Traits :
Although Papillons are very friendly with their owners and kids alike but behave in a reserved fashion when they see new people. Since Papillon is not an aggressive breed they can befriend other dogs of dame or different species, but you have to be careful to keep your Papillon away from any aggressive dog species.
Appearance & Grooming :
- Appearance :
As their name suggests Papillons have a unique similarities with butterflies, which is their large pointy ears and gives an impression of a butterfly with wide spread wings. They are cute small breed dogs and are a joy to be around.
- Size and Weight :
As stated earlier Papillon fall under the small breed dog classification with their height ranging from 8-11 inches (20-28 cms) in the male and female species. The healthy weight of a full grown male Papillon should be between 8-10 pounds (3.6-4.5 Kgs) and about 7-9 pounds (3.2 – 4.1 Kgs) for females.
- Coat & Color :
Papillons have a single coat of fur and generally have black or brown patches on their otherwise white coat. Their paw pads color ranges from black to pink depending on the individual Papillon.
- Grooming :
Papillons are very easy to take care of and can be easily given baths to keep to clean. A small amount of conditioning and hair trimming will keep your Papillon in great shape.
- Body Type :
Papillons are small and fine bones dogs and can be categorized as a miniature spaniel who has a striking resemblance with an open winged butterfly due to their erect ears. The head is round with dark eyes. They also have a curved tail resembling a squirrel.
Characteristics :
- Fragile – Anyone buying or adopting a toy dog species such as Papillons has to be aware that they are relatively fragile due to their fine bones and small structure. You can easily kill them by stepping or sitting on them accidentally unlike larger dog species. You should also monitor and train them so that they do not jump from high platforms and end up injuring themselves. Special care has to be taken when your Papillon is around a big dog as they can be severely injured pretty easily.
- High energy levels – Many Papillon owners have reported being exhausted trying to keep up with these darling dogs. They are very lively, spirited and adventurous and should be leashed unless you can supervise them in person.
- Need for Socialization – Unless you want your Papillon to be incredibly shy or extremely aggressive you have to ensure that they meet new people on regular basis.
- Frequent Barking – Papillon are easily spooked and alerted in new surroundings or around new people. Their natural reaction is barking and they would need your reassurance to calm down.
Tasty Tidbits :
Your Papillon is a constant attention seeker and can get depressed if left alone for extended period of time, they can get easily injured and should be kept away from small children, Papillons are sensitive to anesthesia and need great care during any surgical procedure.
Care :
Apart from a healthy environment and ample space to play Papillons also need your constant care and companionship. They enjoy being around their owners and may get disgruntled when ignored. Papillons are not high maintenance species and should be very easy to handle.
Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Papillon Dog :
Feeding :
You have to be careful not to overfeed your Papillon and they should be given one-fourth to half cup of high quality nutritious dry food (divide this dosage in two meals a day). Since Papillons have relatively delicate knees you should allow them to get obese.
Information and Facts Of Papillon Dog :
- Its name is Papillon
- Its other names are Continental Toy Spaniel, Butterfly Dog, Phalène (drop ear type) and Squirrel Dog (due to tail carriage)
- It is known to originate from France
- It is a small dog breed
- Its breed group is Toy dog breeds (AKC) and Companion Breeds (UKC)
- It has a life span of 13 – 15 Years
- It generally has a height of 8–11 inches
- It generally weighs between 8–10 pounds in males and 7–9 pounds in females
- It is available in many colors such as Fawn & White, Red & White, Brown & White, Sable, Black & White and just White
- The average puppy price is $300 - $500 USD
- It sleeps about 14 hours daily.
- Its lower classifications have dropping years and hence do not share the butterfly type features.
