The Papillon: A Toy Dog With Big Dog Attitude

Appearance 

The word “papillon” is French for “butterfly,” and these dogs are known for their erect, butterfly-like ears.  The other variety of Papillon has folded ears and is called "phalene," which is named for a moth with drooped wings.  The most common color combinations of the Papillon are black and white, red and white, sable and white, and tri-color Papillons.

The color covers the head and extends back behind the ears, except for a white blaze and a white noseband. The tail is curved toward the head, the long coat spilling down like a fountain. The legs are adorned with “feathers,” and in the rear, the coat hangs down giving the illusion of pantaloons.

Papillons are thin-boned and are anywhere from 8-11 inches tall. Their weight is in proportion to their height. They are active dogs with a lively and carefree gait.

Temperament

Papillons certainly don’t act their size. They are confident creatures and are just as comfortable romping around with larger dogs as with dogs their own size. However, play should be supervised at all times; Papillons have a fragile bone structure.

If you’re looking for a highly active dog, Papillons fit the bill nicely. Give them a place to run and they will; they tend to exercise themselves. They are very territorial and may announce each visitor and unidentified sound with lively barking. They seem to sleep with one eye open; so don’t be surprised if they can go from sleeping to barking in mere seconds.

Papillons are quite light on their feet; their speed and intelligence make them excellent agility dogs. They are eager to please and quick to catch on to new tricks. Alert eyes and a happy disposition are trademarks of this breed.

As descendents from the continental toy spaniel, their hunting instincts are innate. They can often be seen chasing small animals such as birds, squirrels, rabbits, and even insects.