Papillon

The history of the Papillon dates back centuries to when Rembrandt, Goya, and Rubens would include this distinctive breed in portraits with notable people of that era. It has been said that even Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour had Papillons. The name Papillon is French for butterfly, and was aptly named due to its butterfly-like ears. It is one of the oldest toy breeds and its ancestors date back to the 13th century. Perky, happy, and affectionate Papillons are great for the elderly, new dog owners, and apartment living. This petite breed does well with families that have older children, but not with young children in the home. They are a small breed and young children may not be able to handle the dog properly. The Papillon truly dislikes being left alone due to its sensitive nature, they need their human family. However, this sensitivity is what makes them an excellent therapy dog. Though the Papillon is extremely energetic and happy running around the house, daily walks outside would be beneficial. Papillons are very intelligent and therefore easy to train, but can often be a bit domineering at times. The breed does have a high prey drive so that would need to be taken into account if there are other small animals in the home. Though they do have a lot of hair they are considered a low shedding breed. Their single coat does not mat easily so brushing once or twice a week is adequate. The Papillon’s most definitive feature is their butterfly-like ears which gives them such a unique appearance. Papillons are typically brown, white, or black, with various color patterns interspersed throughout their coat. It is vitally important to trim their nails 2-3x/month, if they are not worn down naturally. They are susceptible to dental disease due to their being a small breed, so daily brushing would be important. Papillons are typically 8-11 inches high, usually weigh 4-9 pounds, and normally have a lifespan of 12-16 years. The Papillon is generally a healthy breed and with routine veterinary visits, love, and care they should live a long and happy life.

Each dog breed can be prone to develop certain diseases or conditions, be sure to research your specific breed before making a purchase to ensure you´re prepared for any challenges that may arise. This information is only a generalization and we make no guarantees on any breed related to personality, appearance, or typical health characteristics.