Papillon dogs are believed to have originated from toy spaniels. Breeders consider them the brightest and most trainable of the toy breeds. If you think this dog breed is a perfect match for you and your family, here is the key information you need to know before adopting one.
Is a Papillon Dog Your Next, Ideal Family Pet?
Papillon Dogs Personality
- Highly-intelligent and easy to train
- Loves kids but should be held carefully
- Energetic
- Ideal for apartment living
Papillon dogs are very smart. In fact, breeders consider Papillons one of the most obedient and responsive of the toy breeds. They are self-assured that have an easy time learning new tricks. Papillons thrive on mental stimulation. They have the eagerness to learn, which means they not only love simple dog toys, but also excel in various dog sports.
Papillons love kids — but they need to be handled properly. They’re not ideal for small children, because toy dogs are very delicate. Papillons are sociable with both strangers and children but can be reserved around new people. However, if you don’t properly socialize your dog, they can become disrespectful and may show aggressive tendencies.
Papillons are highly energetic and playful too. However, even if they love to play, they are graceful, not likely to tip over a vase or a lamp. Since they’re small dogs, they’re ideal for apartment living. Just make sure you have space for him to move around, because Papillons are not lap dogs. They’re a breed that’s up for excitement, exercise, and activity.
Sizes & Color
- Small-sized dog
- Long and flowing coat
- Variety of colors
The average height ranges from 8 to 11 inches, with weight between 5 to 10 pounds. Particolored, Papillons usually have white as the dominant color with a long and flowing single coat. There are five color combinations in this dog breed. The colors combinations include white and black, white and red, white and lemon, white and sable, and white black and tan.
The American Kennel Club describes the Papillon as:
The Papillon is a small, friendly, elegant toy dog with a fine boned structure. He is light and dainty, yet still lively, and is distinguished from other breeds by his beautiful, butterfly-like ears. They are known to be happy and alert little dogs that are not shy or aggressive. The breed must be either parti-color or white with patches of any color.
Health
- Fragile because of his size
- Sensitive to anesthesia
- Needs exercise and mental stimulation
- Various health problems
One of the most common problems among toy breeds is their fragility. Small-sized dogs are very fragile and delicate. That’s why although they’re ideal family dogs, they’re not ideal pets for small kids. Toddlers can grab or squeeze the puppy and hurt them. You can also seriously injure or kill a Papillon puppy by sitting or stepping on them. Puppies can also injure themselves by leaping from your arms and landing on the sofa or floor.
Papillons are among the breeds of dogs who are sensitive to anesthesia. Always inform your veterinarian whenever your dog needs any surgical procedure. In fact, all dogs who are put under anesthesia are at risk of experiencing problems.
Generally, Papillons are highly-energetic dogs. They need exercise and mental stimulation. This means you need to let them exercise by running in your fenced yard or taking him for daily walks. However, since they’re so quick and active, have a leash to make sure they will not run away from you.
Just like any other dog breed, Papillon dogs may suffer from a wide array of health problems. Make sure your dog is vaccinated from the infectious diseases he may acquire. Also, only get your puppy from reputable breeders and always ask for health clearances to ensure your dog is healthy and there are no hereditary conditions.
Other diseases you need to be wary of include:
- Patellar luxation
- Hypoglycemia
- Liver shunt
- Collapsed trachea
- Open fontanel
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Lifespan Of Papillon Dogs
Papillon dogs are one of the toy dog breeds that live longer than others. The average lifespan of Papillon dogs are between 12 to 16 years. The lifespan of a dog also depends on the health conditions they have, the quality of life they experience, and how the owner takes care of them. Moreover, there are some diseases that may affect the dog’s quality of life. For example, diseases that take a toll on the dog’s appetite and energy levels.
Food & Diet
In terms of feeding your Papillon, the amount of food depends on the dog’s size, activity level, and age. On average, you should feed your dog 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dry food each day, divided into two meals.
Moreover, toy breeds need to eat differently than medium or large-sized dogs. Smaller dogs have high metabolic rates, which means they burn their calories more quickly. Still, you should not feed your Papillon throughout the day. Chances are, your Papillon dog tends to overeat. As a result, your dog may become overweight, which is unhealthy for toy breeds.
Grooming Requirements
- Regular combing to prevent matting on their heavily fringed ears and legs
- Average shedding
- Wash-and-go type of dog
- Regular oral and nail care
Papillon dogs have long, flowing coats with no undercoat. Hence, they only have average shedding. The flowing coat is fine, straight and silky. Their beautiful butterfly ears are fringed with hair. Regular brushing is needed because their coats are prone to mats and tangles. Trimmings are also recommended for shaping and snipping excess hairs from some parts of the body, including their armpits, legs, and ears.
This dog breed is a seasonal shedder, too. Mostly, they shed during the beginning of spring and autumn, when the climate changes dramatically. For bathing, Papillons are dog breeds who don’t have an awful odor when not bathed. That means you only have to wash your Papillon occasionally.
Just like any other dog breed, Papillons need regular oral and nail care. Make sure you clean your dog’s teeth daily and trim his nails at least once or twice a month, depending on your dog’s needs.
Price Of A Papillon Puppy
The price of a Papillon puppy depends on their age, gender, and family line. On average, the dog costs around $500 to $800. However, puppies from champion lines may cost as much as $1,500.
History
The history of Papillon dogs is still a mystery. However, the earliest evidence of their existence lies in various works of arts. The earliest toy spaniels who look like Papillons were first seen in Italy. The dwarf spaniel was first reported in the 16th century in various paintings.
Other people argue, however, that this breed descends from Asian dog breeds such as the Japanese Chin. Others still believe this breed originated from European spaniels.
Fun Fact
This dog breed has a fine-boned structure and has beautiful butterfly-like ears. Hence, the name Papillon, which means “butterfly” in French.
Know more about Papillon dogs through this video by Animal Planet:
If you’re looking for a small-sized dog with a huge personality and brain, then Papillon dogs are ideal pets for you. Among the toy breeds, Papillons are known as the most intelligent. You’ll enjoy teaching your dog tricks, because they’ll understand them immediately. However, make sure you adopt a dog from reputable breeders only, to ensure your puppy is in good health.
Do you think a Papillon dog would be a great addition to your family? Let us know in the comments section below.
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