Toy
15 Years
4.5 Kg
Toy Dogs
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively
The Papillon is a small breed with a dainty and well balanced body which is distinctively characterized by the shape and position of the ears. It has butterfly-like heavily fringed ears set towards the back of the head which, when erect are carried obliquely just like the spread wings of a butterfly, hence the name. Completely dropped ears are known as the “Phalene” (moth). Other facial features include a finely pointed muzzle with a well-defined stop and a black nose, dark round eyes, and complete scissor bite. The Papillon has is longer than it is tall and has a deep chest, straight legs with fairly long and hare-like feet. The long tail is highly set and arches over the back with fringes falling to the side to form a plume. The long, fine, silky coat is abundant with a profuse frill on the chest without any undercoat. The coat colour is white with patches of any colour except liver. Tricolours are black and white with tan spots over the eyes, inside ears, cheeks and under the root of the tail.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Papillon is a breed that originated in Spain and was developed and perfected in France which became a favourite at the French Court. It was made popular by Henry III when the Papillon was declared as the official dog of the Royal Court during his reign. Papillon got its name from its butterfly-like ears. It is one of the ancient breed of dogs going back to as early as 700 years ago. In its native origin in France, it was known as the “epagneul nain” or dwarf spaniel and had drop-ears similar to the spaniel-type breeds. The breed was featured in many Rennaissance church frescos and Italian paintings during the 13th through 15th centuries. Much of the evidences with regards to the development of the Papillon came from depiction in paintings. Besides being likened to a butterfly, the breed’s way of carrying its tail is also likened to that of a squirrel. Although the original Papillons had drop-ears, somewhere in the phase of their development caused some breeds to litter erect ears. In fact, there were occasions that both drop-eared and erect-eared Papillons came from the same litter. The drop-eared dogs are also known as “Phalene” (French: moth) because the ears resembles that of a moth. Today, the Papillon is more popular than the Phalene, although the latter is gradually gaining popularity as well.
The Papillon is a very swift runner and is very capable of walking great distances. It is a very versatile breed which is quite adaptable to any environment. It is highly energetic and intelligent, and loves exhausting its energy to athletic activities but it can also be quiet, patient and mild when it needs to. The Papillon is very gracious, good-natured and compliant. The Papillon will bark energetically when it hears noises. Occasionally, it is difficult to housebreak but is otherwise easy to train especially in obedience.
Papillon's are highly intelligent dogs and are quite eager and willing to please their owners which makes training challenges quite easy. Successful training with this breed is always archived by having healthy consistency and by starting training at a very early age.
Grooming requirement is moderate. The long, fine, silky coat needs regular brushing and combing. The coat never forms matt or tangle. The Papillon has no doggy odor so bathing should be kept to a minimum. Although it is not generally advisable for an apartment living, it can adapt to an urban environment, but it would be best suited in a house with a yard. However, the Papillon is not a typical outdoor breed so it should be kept inside the house.
The Papillon is generally a healthy breed, although like most dogs, they are not without medical problems. One known medical problem is von Willebrand’s disease, a form of blood clotting problem; luxating patella, common in small breeds, is caused by the abnormal slipping or dislocation of the kneecap. A congenital heart disease known as mitral valve dysplasia can severely affect the breed. Lastly, progressive retinal atrophy or PRA, a hereditary disease of the retina also may affect this breed.
The Papillon should be given foods that are a blend of poultry, lamb, potato, wheat and corn. These foods are very similar to those found in the breed’s native origin.
The Papillon requires regular exercise to keep it in excellent condition. Daily short walks will generally keep this breed happy and satisfied.
It is good with older, more considerate children who will not subject the breed to rough-housing. It can also get along well with other domesticated animals in the house if it is socialized at an early age. It has the tendency to be jealous of its master and may be aggressive towards other larger breeds.
Copyright © 2024 Mypetzilla UK
