Home Page Health Small Dog Breeds PapillonThe Papillon is The Butterfly DogThe Papillon means "butterfly" in French and he was so named, as you can
see for his upright, wing-like ears. This is a very old breed and it was first known as the "dwarf
spaniel". His image can be seen in Italian art going back to the 13th century. He was very popular
with European royalty and aristocracy and was seen in Spain as well as in France and Italy.
The Papillon was also once used as a ratter, since he was good at hunting
mice. The Papillon is one of the smallest toy dogs, with a fine bone structure. He is light and dainty, standing just about ten inches tall, at the shoulder and weighing between eight and ten pounds. He is energetic and lively and loves to be involved in everything that is going on in the family. He is a very popular dog with American owners, being ranked 35th out of 157 breeds, based on the registrations to the American Kennel Club during the year 2010. His popularity has been consistently close to that level for several years. The Papillon is certainly the most intelligent of all the Toy group, being 8th most intelligent of all the breeds in the world. He is rated in the top ten "brightest dogs with exceptional understanding of new commands" by Dr Stanley Coren, who has conducted painstaking research into the intelligence of dogs. The Papillons' small size makes them ideal for an apartment. They are very active indoors and most of their exercise needs can be met with indoor play, but they enjoy daily walks. In common with most of the Toy breeds, the Papillon does not make a good guard dog but is a very efficient watchdog. He is alert and inquisitive and is a very active dog. Grooming The PapillonThe Papillon has a long, straight, fine single coat, which sheds like gangbusters. Because he has a single coat, with no undercoat, he does not need a lot of grooming, just brushing occasionally. With this breed, many owners find it preferable to brush him on a daily basis and then collect the hair and dispose of it, before it gets all over carpets and furnishings. Five minutes brushing saves thirty minutes vacuuming! Exercising The PapillonThe Papillon is one of the smallest dogs but he packs a lot of energy and enthusiasm into that small frame. He is fast and athletic and loves to romp and play in the house. He has more energy than the average companion dog and loves to take long walks, always on a leash, unless he is free to run and play in a secure enclosed area. Training The PapillonThis is where it becomes easy! With his exceptionally high intelligence, his energy and his eagerness to learn, the Papillon is a delight to train. It need never be a chore, it can be one of the highlights of the day. He can be expert in obedience and agility competition, if that would be of interest. When you see how good he is at it, it may well become an interest. Many people think of German Shepherds, Labradors and other big dogs when they think of obedience experts but the Papillon is up there with the best! He can be difficult to housetrain. The Papillon's TemperamentThe Papillon comes close to being the ideal small dog. With his alert, lively, affectionate nature, he can be a valuable member of any family, provided that any young children are fully aware of how small and delicate he is and treat him with care. Like most small dogs, indeed like most dogs, he is not happy to be left alone for long periods. A couple of hours is a long time for a dog. Because he does not have a double, insulated coat, he is not able to withstand low temperatures, so care must be taken in cold climates. The Papillon is an excellent watchdog but much too small and friendly to be any sort of guard dog. Need To Learn More?
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