Dog Breeds - Papillon

Breed Attributes & Qualities

CARING WITH FAMILY + Independent Lovey-Dovey
The degree to which a breed tends to show endearment toward family members or familiar acquaintances, can vary widely. Certain breeds may reserve their warmth for their owner exclusively maintaining a reserved demeanor with others. Conversely, there are breeds that exude a level of warmth to all familiar faces as if each one were their most cherished companion.
LOVE WITH CHILDREN + Unwise Good With Children
A breed's capacity to gracefully handle children's antics and its inherent family-oriented disposition varies. It's essential for dogs to be carefully watched when interacting with young kids or children of any age who may not be familiar with canine behavior to ensure everyone's safety and comfort.
BEHAVIOR WITH DOGS + Unwise Good With Other Dogs
The inherent sociability of a breed with fellow canines ranges broadly. While direct oversight during meetings and encounters with other dogs is always advisable, some breeds naturally exhibit a greater propensity for amicable relations with other dogs, whether within the household or out in the wider community.

SHEDDING LEVELS & MANAGEMENT No Shedding Hair Everywhere +
The volume of fur and hair a breed typically sheds can determine the level of grooming needed. Breeds known for heavy shedding require more regular brushing and may increase the likelihood of allergic reactions in addition to necessitating more frequent vacuuming and use of lint rollers to manage their loose hair around the home.
COAT GROOMING STANDARDS Monthly Daily +
The grooming demands of a breed including the need for bathing, brushing, and trimming can greatly differ. When contemplating the grooming efforts required, it's important to assess your available time, patience and financial resources for such care. Remember, no matter the breed routine nail trimming is necessary for all dogs to maintain their health and comfort.
DROOLING INTENSITY Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel +
The tendency for a breed to drool can vary significantly. If you have a penchant for tidiness, you might want to think twice about adopting dogs known for leaving trails of drool on your arm or large damp patches on your clothing, as they might not align well with your preference for cleanliness.
COAT TYPE +
Silky
COAT LENGTH +
Medium

FRIENDLINESS Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend +
The level of a breed's friendliness toward unfamiliar people can be quite diverse. Certain breeds consistently exhibit a reserved or wary attitude towards strangers irrespective of the setting. On the other hand, some breeds revel in the opportunity to greet a new person exuding joy every time they encounter someone they haven't met before.
LIVELINESS Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop +
The eagerness to engage in playtime that a breed exhibits can remain consistent well beyond their puppy years. Many breeds retain a youthful spirit happily indulging in games like tug-of-war or fetch well into maturity, whereas others prefer to spend the majority of their time lounging peacefully on the couch alongside you.
VIGILANCE INTENSITY What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant +
Some breeds have a strong instinct to notify their humans of the presence of strangers responding vigilantly to any perceived threats, which could range from the mail carrier to a squirrel scampering near the window. These alert breeds often adapt their reactions towards newcomers based on family acceptance, usually warming up to strangers once they've been welcomed into the home by their humans.
ADAPTATION CAPACITY Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable +
A breed's adaptability to change varies, encompassing shifts in living environments, noise levels, weather conditions, routines and other daily fluctuations. Some breeds adjust with ease to new circumstances and variations in their everyday lives, while others may require more time and support to acclimate to changes.

OBEDIENCE LEVEL Self-Willed Eager to Please +
The trainability of a dog and its openness to learning new skills can differ significantly from one breed to another. Certain breeds seem eager to please their owners and take pride in learning new commands and tricks, while others display more independent traits often choosing to follow their own whims on their own terms.
STAMINA LEVEL Couch Potato High Energy +
The exercise and mental stimulation requirements of a breed can range widely. High-energy breeds need significant physical activity and mental challenges they're the perpetual adventurers that love to run, leap and stay active throughout the day. Conversely, low-energy breeds are content with much less movement, these "canine couch potatoes" often display a preference for lounging and dozing off for most of the time. Considering the energy levels and scheduling for potential activities is crucial when choosing a dog that fits well with your lifestyle.
VOCALIZATION Only To Alert Very Vocal +
The frequency at which this particular breed expresses itself through vocalization be it by barking or howling, varies. While certain breeds tend to bark at every person walking by or even at a bird appearing at the window others only vocalize in specific circumstances. It's worth noting that even breeds that don't bark can still communicate effectively using alternative sounds.
LEARNING CURIOSITY LEVEL Loaf Needs an Activity +
The necessity for mental stimulation to keep a breed content and healthy is an essential aspect of dog care. Dogs bred for specific purposes often need engaging tasks that foster decision-making, problem-solving and concentration. These breeds can become bored if their intellectual needs aren't met, which might lead them to invent their own "assignments" around the home, potentially resulting in unwanted behaviors like digging, chewing or excessive barking.

COLORS

PATTERNS

CARING WITH FAMILY

Independent

Lovey-Dovey

The degree to which a breed tends to show endearment toward family members or familiar acquaintances, can vary widely. Certain breeds may reserve their warmth for their owner exclusively maintaining a reserved demeanor with others. Conversely, there are breeds that exude a level of warmth to all familiar faces as if each one were their most cherished companion.

LOVE WITH CHILDREN

Unwise

Good With Children

A breed's capacity to gracefully handle children's antics and its inherent family-oriented disposition varies. It's essential for dogs to be carefully watched when interacting with young kids or children of any age who may not be familiar with canine behavior to ensure everyone's safety and comfort.

BEHAVIOR WITH DOGS

Unwise

Good With Other Dogs

The inherent sociability of a breed with fellow canines ranges broadly. While direct oversight during meetings and encounters with other dogs is always advisable, some breeds naturally exhibit a greater propensity for amicable relations with other dogs, whether within the household or out in the wider community.

SHEDDING LEVELS & MANAGEMENT

No Shedding

Hair Everywhere

The volume of fur and hair a breed typically sheds can determine the level of grooming needed. Breeds known for heavy shedding require more regular brushing and may increase the likelihood of allergic reactions in addition to necessitating more frequent vacuuming and use of lint rollers to manage their loose hair around the home.

COAT GROOMING STANDARDS

Monthly

Daily

The grooming demands of a breed including the need for bathing, brushing, and trimming can greatly differ. When contemplating the grooming efforts required, it's important to assess your available time, patience and financial resources for such care. Remember, no matter the breed routine nail trimming is necessary for all dogs to maintain their health and comfort.

DROOLING INTENSITY

Less Likely to Drool

Always Have a Towel

The tendency for a breed to drool can vary significantly. If you have a penchant for tidiness, you might want to think twice about adopting dogs known for leaving trails of drool on your arm or large damp patches on your clothing, as they might not align well with your preference for cleanliness.

COAT STYLES GUIDE

Silky

COAT SPECTRUM

Medium

FRIENDLINESS

Reserved

Everyone Is My Best Friend

The level of a breed's friendliness toward unfamiliar people can be quite diverse. Certain breeds consistently exhibit a reserved or wary attitude towards strangers irrespective of the setting. On the other hand, some breeds revel in the opportunity to greet a new person exuding joy every time they encounter someone they haven't met before.

LIVELINESS

Only When You Want To Play

Non-Stop

The eagerness to engage in playtime that a breed exhibits can remain consistent well beyond their puppy years. Many breeds retain a youthful spirit happily indulging in games like tug-of-war or fetch well into maturity, whereas others prefer to spend the majority of their time lounging peacefully on the couch alongside you.

VIGILANCE INTENSITY

What's Mine Is Yours

Vigilant

Some breeds have a strong instinct to notify their humans of the presence of strangers responding vigilantly to any perceived threats, which could range from the mail carrier to a squirrel scampering near the window. These alert breeds often adapt their reactions towards newcomers based on family acceptance, usually warming up to strangers once they've been welcomed into the home by their humans.

ADAPTATION CAPACITY

Lives For Routine

Highly Adaptable

A breed's adaptability to change varies, encompassing shifts in living environments, noise levels, weather conditions, routines and other daily fluctuations. Some breeds adjust with ease to new circumstances and variations in their everyday lives, while others may require more time and support to acclimate to changes.

OBEDIENCE LEVEL

Self-Willed

Eager to Please

The trainability of a dog and its openness to learning new skills can differ significantly from one breed to another. Certain breeds seem eager to please their owners and take pride in learning new commands and tricks, while others display more independent traits often choosing to follow their own whims on their own terms.

STAMINA LEVEL

Couch Potato

High Energy

The exercise and mental stimulation requirements of a breed can range widely. High-energy breeds need significant physical activity and mental challenges they're the perpetual adventurers that love to run, leap and stay active throughout the day. Conversely, low-energy breeds are content with much less movement, these "canine couch potatoes" often display a preference for lounging and dozing off for most of the time. Considering the energy levels and scheduling for potential activities is crucial when choosing a dog that fits well with your lifestyle.

VOCALIZATION

Only To Alert

Very Vocal

Frequent

LEARNING CURIOSITY LEVEL

Happy to Lounge

Needs a Job or Activity

The necessity for mental stimulation to keep a breed content and healthy is an essential aspect of dog care. Dogs bred for specific purposes often need engaging tasks that foster decision-making, problem-solving and concentration. These breeds can become bored if their intellectual needs aren't met, which might lead them to invent their own "assignments" around the home, potentially resulting in unwanted behaviors like digging, chewing or excessive barking.

COLORS

Description	Registration Code
White & Black	202
White & Lemon	211
White & Red	214
White & Sable	215
White Black & Tan	219
Black Brown & White	022
Black Red & White	027
Brown & White	063
Fawn & White	086
Red	140
Red White & Sable	158
Sable	164
White	199
White & Liver	212
White & Silver	216

PATTERNS

Description	Registration Code
Black Markings	002
Black Mask	004
Red Markings	023
Sable	026
Tan Markings	012

About The Breed

The Papillon recognized for its toy-breed elegance and spirited athleticism is a picture of unique charm. Behind its delicate looks lies the robust heart of a classic canine, packed with vitality. Admirers of the Papillon attest to its joyful, vigilant and affable nature. Standing between 8 to 11 inches from paw to shoulder, the Papillon is unmissable from a distance, thanks to its signature wing-like ears which lend the breed its moniker papillon' being the French term for butterfly. While some boast perky, upright ears, others, the Phalene variant have drooping ones. They flaunt a fancy feathered tail and a silky, multi-hued coat with white as the primary shade. Surprisingly sturdy, Paps are versatile companions, suited to a variety of environments and are ready to partake in family adventures. Acclaimed for their agility prowess, they excel at the sport's upper echelons though they are just as delighted to learn new tricks for more laid-back owners.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN CARING FOR A PAPILLON

Holding the title of a dog owner is not just a luxury. It’s a critical responsibility. They require from us the basics - food and shelter at a minimum but they are worthy of so much more. Welcoming a dog into your life necessitates an understanding of the depth of commitment involved in caring for a pet.

Anticipating the Needs of Your Papillon: Insights and Tips.

Taking a dog under your wing is no small favor; it's a true commitment. These devoted pets count on us for life's necessities such as food and a safe abode, however, they are entitled to a greater level of care.

Health

	Papillons may be tiny and full of bravery, yet they require a gentle touch due to their diminutive stature. It's crucial for owners to be vigilant around hazards like stairs, furniture and bigger pets, particularly during their vulnerable puppy days. Even well-meaning little ones can unintentionally inflict harm on these small canine companions. Conscientious breeders prioritize health screening for issues like an open fontanel akin to the soft spot on an infant's head and patellar luxation, a condition where the kneecaps can shift out of place, sometimes fleetingly or in more severe cases, permanently. Health Assessment Recommendations from the Breed's National Association: Patella Evaluation Cardiac Exam Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

	Papillons, with their luxurious flowing coats, actually require quite minimal grooming, a surprise given their appearance. This is largely because they lack an undercoat. A thorough grooming session once a month should suffice. However, to prevent matting, it's wise to occasionally run a comb or a gentle slicker brush through the fur on the insides of their back legs, behind the ears and on the feathering of their thighs, known as 'culottes.' A bath can be reserved for every couple of months or after those extra muddy escapades. Their nails, particularly the dewclaws need regular trimming to avoid curling into the leg. Additionally, maintaining dental health with routine teeth brushing is essential for your Papillon.

Exercise

	Papillons thrive indoors due to their compact size, yet it's important to remember they still require regular exercise. These clever, energetic canines crave interaction and playtime with their owners. Inside, they’re fond of fetch games quickly mastering the art of retrieving small balls or toys for endless toss-and-fetch sessions. When outdoors, their spaniel roots shine through as they enthusiastically pursue squirrels, chipmunks and even the occasional insect across the yard. Papillons often forget their own petite size, so it's crucial for their owners to keep a watchful eye particularly when their adventurous spirit leads them to chase after bigger dogs or cats.

Training

	Papillons embody intelligence and a strong desire to please their human companions. Although some smaller breeds may require a bit more patience during housetraining compared to their larger counterparts, Papillons often grasp it with relative ease. To pave the way for a well-mannered pet, early socialization is crucial and attending obedience classes comes highly recommended. Such training not only teaches your Papillon to obey commands but also helps you resist the temptation to spoil your charming furry friend. It's essential to consider that at their core, Papillons are sociable animals meant for company; they might not fare well or may even pick up bad habits if left in solitude for extended timeframes. Luckily, they have the capacity to form strong attachments not only with humans but with other household pets as well.

Nutrition

	A well-balanced diet is key to your Papillon's vitality and you can opt for either premium commercial dog food or nutritious meals prepared at home, provided they have your vet's nod of approval. It's crucial to match their diet to their specific life stage, whether they're a sprightly puppy, an energetic adult or a dignified senior. Keep in mind Papillion’s may tend to gain extra pounds, so it's important to keep an eye on their caloric intake and overall weight. While treats are fantastic for reinforcing good behavior during training sessions, it's vital to offer them in moderation to avoid the risk of obesity. Familiarize yourself with the list of human foods that are dog-friendly and those that could be harmful. If you're ever concerned about your furry friend's weight or nutritional needs, don't hesitate to consult your veterinarian. Always ensure that your Papillon has access to plenty of clean and fresh water keeping them hydrated and happy.

Historiography

Bred for the aristocracy as delightful confidantes, the Papillon breed has warmed the laps of high society women for centuries often depicted by the venerable paintbrushes of European artists in royal portraits. The likes of Rubens and Rembrandt along with Goya and Toulouse-Lautrec, graced their artwork with these small canines. Originating in the Renaissance period through the mingling of toy breeds with spaniels, once termed 'dwarf spaniels', they embraced the noble-driven trend for diminutive pets. Their lineage from sporting spaniels might give a clue to their surprising agility and trainability compared to other toy dog breeds. Esteemed figures including Madame de Pompadour, Louis XIV and the ill-fated Marie Antoinette, who owned a Papillon named Thisbe, underscore the breed’s profound French roots. However, this breed saw its enhancement and rise to fame in the kennels of Italy and Spain. The American Kennel Club (AKC) had its first Papillon registration in the year 1915.