PapillonCharacteristics, history, training and care

Small spaniel-type dogs appear in paintings as early as the 16th century, in the works of Titian, Veronese, Mignard, Watteau and Fragonard. They were the companion dogs of the royal courts and nobility of Europe.

The modern breed was recognised by the AKC in 1935, when the American breed club was founded. The FCI standard comes from France and Belgium, and the Papillon and the Phalène are considered the same breed, differing only in the shape of the ears.

How the breed developed

• 16th century – Dwarf spaniels appear in the paintings of the great masters.
• 1737 – Antoine Pesne paints Queen Sophia Dorothea of Prussia with a dwarf spaniel.
• 1935 – The AKC recognises the Papillon.
• 1954 – The FCI recognises the breed.
• 1999 – The Papillon “Kirby” wins Best in Show at Westminster.
• 2019 – The Papillon “Dylan” wins Best in Show at Crufts.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

The standard describes it as an elegant, harmonious, graceful yet sturdy dwarf spaniel, with a proud bearing and a light gait. The body is slightly longer than it is tall.

General appearance

The large, almond-shaped eyes are dark and very expressive. The large ears are either erect and set obliquely, like a butterfly's wings (Papillon), or drooping (Phalène). The high-set tail has abundant fringes that form a handsome plume.

All colours on a white background are accepted. On the body and legs, white must predominate. On the head, a white blaze down the middle is preferred. The nose, lips and eyelids must be pigmented.

The AKC says Papillons are intelligent and eager to please the people they have bonded with. They learn quickly and excel at agility and obedience.

Early socialisation and obedience classes are important. It is a companion dog: left alone for long periods, it can become unhappy and get up to mischief.

Tips for effective training

• Do not spoil it too much. The AKC says the owner also learns in classes not to give in all the time.
• Try agility. It is one of the best small breeds at this sport.
• Work on the barking. The AKC gives it the top score for barking.
• Be careful around big dogs. It does not realise how small it is.

The AKC says that, although it is small, it is active and needs play and exercise. Indoors it loves to fetch a small ball, and outdoors it happily chases squirrels and insects.

Tips for a balanced life

• Be careful with stairs and high furniture, especially with puppies.
• Small children must be supervised: it is easily injured.
• It adapts to any climate and to city life.

Coat and skin care

The AKC says that, although it has long, silky hair, it needs surprisingly little grooming because it has no undercoat. Combing behind the ears, on the legs and on the thighs prevents mats. It is bathed every few months, and the nails are trimmed often.

Common health problems

The AKC says the breed is generally healthy, and responsible breeders test their dogs for:

Other care

• Brush its teeth regularly: small breeds often have dental problems.
• Trim the nails often, including the dewclaw.
• Check the ears weekly.

Such a small dog needs small, frequent meals. A few extra grams make a big difference to its weight.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Feed puppies several times a day so that their blood sugar does not drop.
• Choose small kibble suited to toy breeds.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Butterfly and moth. “Papillon” means butterfly and “Phalène” means moth in French.
• In the paintings of the masters. It appears in paintings by Titian, Watteau and Fragonard.
• Westminster champion. In 1999, the Papillon Kirby won Best in Show at Westminster.
• Crufts champion. In 2019, the Papillon Dylan won Best in Show at Crufts.
• It lives a long time. A 2024 British study found a life expectancy of 14.5 years.

In European painting

Dwarf spaniels similar to the Papillon appear in paintings by Titian, Paolo Veronese, Pierre Mignard, Antoine Watteau and Jean-Honoré Fragonard. In 1737, Antoine Pesne painted Queen Sophia Dorothea of Prussia with such a dog.

What is the difference between the Papillon and the Phalène?

Only the ears: the Papillon has erect ears and the Phalène drooping ones. They are the same breed.

How big does it get?

It measures about 28 cm at the withers and weighs between 1.5 and 5 kg.

Is it easy to train?

Yes, it is very intelligent and eager to please its owner.

Does it shed a lot?

Moderately. It has no undercoat, so the coat is easy to care for.

How long does it live?

The AKC gives 14–16 years.