PAPILLON

Temperament: Smart, Friendly, Energetic
Height: 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight: 4 to 9 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Dog Breed Group: Companion Dogs

ABOUT THE PAPILLON

The Papillon dog breed descends from the toy spaniels that are frequently portrayed in paintings by the Old Masters, from as far back as the 16th century. They’re highly active and wonderful competitors in agility and obedience.

The breed’s sparkling personality makes these dogs a favorite of all who meet them. Even though you might think of Papillons as lap dogs, these pooch’s are active and playful, and they won’t be content lounging on the couch with you all day. They do, however, love companionship and will always try to be where their humans are. This is not the breed for you if you’re away from home for long hours of the day.

His energy level ranges from moderate to intense, and being highly trainable he’s a great choice if you want to participate in dog sports such as agility or rally. Papillons are also excellent competitors in the obedience ring and are the number-one toy breed in obedience competition.

Papillons love children, but the combination of a tiny dog and a young child can be a recipe for disaster. A Papillon may leap from a child’s hands and injure himself if he’s not being held correctly, and he won’t hesitate to defend himself if he’s being mistreated. No matter what the breed, dogs and children must always be supervised when they’re together.

This is a long-lived breed. It’s common for Papillons to live well into their teens, and if you’re considering purchasing one you should take that into consideration. The dog will be a member of your family for years to come.

The Papillon has been bred for centuries to be the ultimate companion. They are extremely people oriented and demand to be included in their person’s life at all times. If you are looking for a lively, energetic, outgoing, and gregarious companion this could be the breed for you. You and your Papillon will live happily together for many years.

PERSONALITY

Papillons are generally outgoing, happy dogs that enjoy sitting in laps as much as they like running around the house. Although lively and energetic, they are not considered high-strung, nervous or fearful, and they do not bark excessively.

The typical Papillon enjoys socializing with cats and with other dogs. Papillons do not hesitate to engage larger animals in play, but owners should be careful that the larger animal does not treat the Papillon as prey. Papillons also enjoy playing with children, but youngsters must be careful not to roughhouse with these lively little dogs.

The Papillon’s alertness, intelligence and intense desire to please make it a favorite in obedience competition. They are also known to have notable talents in tracking, agility, and as therapy dogs.

FEEDING

Recommended daily amount: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. 

HEALTH

The Papillon can develop certain health problems. Here’s a brief rundown on some of the conditions you should know about:

While generally a healthy and long-lived breed, the Papillon can be affected by any of the health problems common to toy dogs, such as a collapsing trachea, which causes respiratory problems and makes wearing a collar difficult. They can have dental problems caused by the small size of their mouths, and their kneecaps sometimes slip out of place, a condition known as “luxating patellas.” Ask your veterinarian to examine your dog’s knees regularly, especially if you notice him limping or “hopping” while running.

CARE

Adults need two or three 20- to 30-minute walks or playtimes per day, and they’ll appreciate more if you can provide it. Start puppies with two or three 10- to 15-minute walks and gradually increase the time and distance. Puppy or adult, they’ll let you know if they’re getting tired by stopping or sitting.

They can easily break a leg soaring off the back of the sofa or jumping off the bed, so try to avoid such situations by teaching them to use steps to get on and off furniture or waiting until you lift them down.

Papillons are easy to housetrain if you keep them on a schedule. Always take them out when they first wake up in the morning, after every meal, after naps, after playtime, after a grooming session or bath, and just before bedtime. When you can’t supervise them, they should be crated or placed in a puppy-proofed room.

Crate training benefits every dog and is a kind way to ensure that your Papillon doesn’t have accidents in the house or get into things he shouldn’t.

Train your Papillon using positive reinforcement techniques such as food rewards, praise, and play, and you will soon find that he can learn anything you can teach.

GROOMING

Although the Papillon’s long, silky coat looks like it needs frequent grooming, he’s an easy-care dog. Just a little brushing a few times a week, brush his teeth (with a vet-approved pet toothpaste) for good overall health and fresh breath, along with regular ear-cleaning and nail-trimming, and you’re good to go with a Papillon.

Depending on how dirty they get or how close they get to you in bed, Papillons can be bathed as often as once or twice a week or as little as two or three times a month.

SOME PICTURES ABOUT THE PAPILLON

Source: dogtime, hillspet, vetstreet.