Although a Papillon might look like a dog that’s best suited to curling up in a lap, these are athletic, hardy and quick toy dogs. Much sturdier than they look, these happy, friendly dogs thrive on being the centre of attention and family life. Always up for an adventure, Papillons love hanging with their humans and expect you to be by their side, whatever they’re up to - this isn’t an entertain-themselves-in-the-garden-alone kind of dog. But with their smarts, curiosity and confidence, you’ll be lucky to count a Papillon as your faithful canine companion.
Papillon Facts
Papillons were first bred in Renaissance times, as a cross of toy breeds with spaniels (their ancestors were called dwarf spaniels) to keep up with the craze for mini versions of favourite breeds. Papillons count Marie Antoinette among their many famous fans.
- Breed Group: Toy
- Height: 20-28cm
- Weight: 2-4.5kg
- Life Span: 14-16 years
- Coat: Silky, medium
- Colour: White with other colours
What Does a Papillon Look Like?
Tiny they may be, but there’s no mistaking a Papillon. That’s thanks to their namesake: in French, Papillon means butterfly. One look at those large, wing-shaped ears and you’ll understand why. Papillon’s silky ears sit high on their heads, sticking up and out. Fringed with long hair, they move and look like butterfly wings. Fun fact: there’s another type of Papillon, called the Phalene. Phalenes have ears that drop down and fold forward, and they’re named for the French word for moth.
As well as those ears, you’ll know Papillons for their long, silky coat that’s normally white, with other colours splashed in. Their coat is long on their back, chest and top of their legs but shorter on their face and bottom half of their legs. They have a plumed tail that arches over their back.
Papillons have small, dark shiny eyes giving them an alert, active look that matches their inquisitive, always-up-for-an-adventure temperament. They also have cute-as-a button small black noses, adding to their dainty and elegant look.
Papillon
Papillon Temperament: Cheerful and Confident
Don’t be fooled by their size: inside a Papillon beats the heart of a true adventurer! These energetic toy dogs are confident and outgoing and love nothing more than dragging their families out on an adventure. Social butterflies, a well-socialised Papillon gets along well with everyone they meet, people and pups alike.
However, they do need to be properly socialised and trained. Without this, they can become overly attached and dependent on their pet parents and lack the confidence to deal with new people, pets and situations. There’s no stopping a well trained Papillon though, they’re known for being spunky, fearless dogs who will quite happily take on dogs of all shapes and sizes, even the much bigger ones.
Papillons love being the life of the party and to be surrounded by their loved ones and activity, all the time. They get on well with older children, small dogs and cats. It’s best to have similarly sized playmates as larger dogs could accidentally injure a tiny Papillon while playing. Younger children may not know how to safely handle a Papillon and grabby hands might find themselves bitten.
Keeping Papillons Healthy: 4 Issues to Watch Out For
Surprisingly tough and gutsy dogs, Papillons are still very small. This puts them at risk of mishandling by people and small children. You’ll also need to keep an eye on them when they’re around stairs, furniture and larger animals.
Open Fontanel
Like newborn human babies, Papillons are born with a soft spot in the top of their skull. Normally, this closes in the first few months of their life. But in some cases, it doesn’t. Although there’s currently no treatment for an open fontanel, Papillons with one can still live long, happy lives. Just make sure they’re the only pet and that they’re handled carefully to prevent brain injury.
Joint Problems
A lot of dogs are prone to joint problems, like patella (or kneecap) luxation, and the Papillon is no exception. A common hereditary condition, it causes the kneecap to pop in and out of place. In some Papillons it’s mild and doesn’t bother them. In others, it can be more severe and painful and can affect their mobility. Patella luxation can be treated with medication, weight management, physical therapy and surgery. Responsible breeders should screen for it.
Low Blood Sugar
Lots of toy dog breeds can experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially in the first 12 weeks of their life when they don’t have enough body fat to store glucose for release when it’s needed. Signs include listlessness, weakness and trembling. Although low blood sugar can be fatal if it’s untreated, it’s easily treatable with a suitable sugar source. Feeding smaller meals regularly throughout the day can help your Papillon avoid having low blood sugar.
Eye Issues
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is another hereditary condition that leads to blindness over time. Although there’s currently no cure, most dogs adjust well to their blindness. Again, responsible breeders should ensure their breeding dogs aren’t carriers of the PRA gene.
Caring for Your Papillon Dog
A Papillon’s grooming needs aren’t very high at all, and neither are their exercise needs. Caring for your Papillon is more about socialising and training them which, bonus, is just another opportunity to spend time with this friendly, happy pup.
Grooming
Papillons are only single coated. Because there’s no undercoat, they don’t actually need that much grooming - they’re just naturally beautiful. Expect to groom them every couple of weeks or so with a trip to the groomers for a wash and trim.
Between full grooming sessions, give them a quick comb or brush to avoid mats in their coat. Areas that are most prone to matting include inside the back legs, behind their ears and on the top half of their legs. Papillons also need a bath every few months, or whenever they get really muddy or dirty.
Papillons’ nails are known for growing really quickly so you’ll need to clip their nails regularly. Watch out for the dewclaw, which can get long, curl around and cut their legs. Finally, as a small dog breed, dental care is really important. Brush their teeth everyday and provide dental treatas and toys for a healthy mouth and gums.
Nutrition
Papillons will enjoy quality commercial dog food that’s suitable for their life stage: puppy, adult or senior. You could consider small and toy breed specific dog food. The kibble / biscuits are smaller, which is easier for their small jaws and mouth. Plus, it’s nutritionally balanced to meet their energy needs. Because Papillons are prone to dental issues (their teeth tend to crowd their smaller mouths), it’s important your Papillon eats dry food every day as the kibble / biscuits can slough off any plaque or tartar that builds up. You could also look to include the Royal Canin Mini Dental Care into their diet.
As a toy dog breed, it’s easy for a Papillon to become overweight. Keep an eye on serving sizes, make sure they get daily exercise, and keep treats to a minimum.
Exercise
You might think such a tiny dog doesn’t need exercise, but actually Papillons do. These active, smart dogs want their humans to play with them, inside and out. They particularly enjoy a game of fetch with a small ball or toy and running around a fenced garden, chasing any critter they see. Stay with them in the garden to make sure they’re not trying to get themselves in trouble by following a cat or larger dog.
Aim for between 30 and 45 minutes of exercise a day. This should include 1 or 2 short on-lead walks where they can stop and smell the flowers (literally) plus some playtime in the garden or inside. Papillons aren’t happy entertaining themselves - they get the mental stimulation from being around you and family. Invest in a few puzzle toys to keep them busy while you do what you need to at home.
Training
Smart as a whip and eager to learn (and please their people), Papillons are a joy to train. Early socialisation and obedience training is key to a well-adjusted, well-mannered Papillon. This will help your Papillon learn to do what they’re asked and you’ll learn how to care for, but not spoil, your pup. Bred to be companion dogs, Papillons need to be with their humans, although they can bond well with other pets too. If they’re left alone for a long time, they can become unhappy, stressed and destructive.
Start with the basics that will keep them safe: come, stop, sit, and drop it. These will all come in handy when they’re (over) confidently adventuring. Once they’ve mastered these, this happy pup will love to learn new tricks, which they’ll pick up in no time. Enlist the help of a professional dog trainer to take your Papillon skills to the next level.