Papillon Dog Breed: Description and Photos

The Papillon is a miniature toy spaniel, often nicknamed the "butterfly" because of its amusing ears, which resemble the beautiful wings of this insect. This is the main characteristic of this miniature spaniel.

Decorative dogs have long attracted the attention of artists and ordinary people alike. Their images can be seen in paintings by famous medieval masters, whose works are still preserved in museums around the world.

Papillon - breed description, history of origin

It must be said right away that this is a miniature creature. has only a mediocre relation to hunting breeds, despite the name "spaniel." So how did a toy dog, part of the same group as toy terriers, suddenly become a spaniel?

According to the official version, this is explained by the origins of the early Papillons. It is generally accepted that the dog's ancestors were miniature spaniels common in Italy and Spain.

Story

Biologists are still debating when exactly this breed originated. But from all the guesses and assumptions, two main lines of thought can be identified. According to the first version, Papillons appeared in 1099 during the next Crusade, when a funny dwarf dog, the “moth,” was brought to Jerusalem.

Scientists who support the second version claim that miniature dogs appeared much later, in the 14th century.

Papillons are known to have been favored by aristocrats and kept in royal courts with funds from the state treasury. Henry III, the French monarch, was particularly "famous" for this. He loved and idolized these "butterflies" so much that spent huge sums on their maintenanceOf course, this was the money of ordinary taxpayers.

After an assassination attempt on the King of France, the new monarch, Louis XIV, then XV and XVI, took up the baton. The breed gained immense popularity and continued success.

At the beginning of the 20th century, English biologists conducted an experiment by crossing a Papillon with a Spitz. The resulting breed acquired new qualities that significantly improved the appearance of dwarfsThe coat became much thicker and healthier, and the animal's tail "changed location" and ended up on the back. From this point on, the main distinguishing features of the miniature spaniel became its luxurious coat, well-furred tail, and ears.

Papillon character

The appearance of this funny creature can be touched and admired endlessly. However You shouldn't think that the animal's character is just as angelic — It all depends on upbringing.

So, let's look at all the advantages and disadvantages of the breed.

Advantages of the breed:

• Positivity – the Papillon is always in a good mood and has an enviable optimistic outlook on life. Of course, unless the dog is sick or injured. If you hint to your pet that you expect an unusual show, rest assured, you'll get it. Papillons easily learn various tricks, even without being specifically trained. This four-legged friend with a sly face and a sparkle in his eyes will always be able to cheer up a downcast owner or, by climbing into his lap and looking into his eyes, calm him down.
• Activity – your pet will never deny himself the pleasure of a good frolic on a walk or playing fun, active games. Even at home, the Papillon is always looking for something to do. Therefore, providing him with toys is in your best interest.
• Dependence on people and devotion are standard breed characteristics, describing the Papillon as cheerful, happy, yet reliant on people. While devotion to their owner and a desire to accompany them everywhere is certainly a good thing, the stress and melancholy that plague a dog left alone for a while is a bad thing. Don't think that energetic Papillon puppies are completely oblivious to the company of others and are capable of keeping themselves occupied. This is far from the case—the more time you spend with your puppy, the more self-sufficient your pet will become as he grows up.
• Sensitivity. The Papillon is such a sensitive creature that even a shout or a slight curse can deeply offend it. It also will not tolerate physical punishment or cruelty. It has the ability to sense the moods of others.
• An excellent memory, a keen mind, a trainable nature, curiosity, and an interest in everything new and unexplored. Training a Papillon on your own won't pose any problems. While the dog can learn on its own, what exactly it will learn is a big question. Therefore, it's best to supervise the training process. This breed is recommended for owners with no training experience, as well as for children aged 10 and up as a first pet.

An interesting fact is that the Papillon has been among the top ten smartest dogs in the world for many years.

A loyal attitude towards all living creatures (except potential prey) and an endless love for children. Although the Papillon by nature he is quite optimistic and peace-loving, just like everyone else, they can get moody. If your pet is completely healthy but doesn't want to play or interact, give them some time to rest and leave them alone for a while.

A disadvantage of the breed is the aggressiveness of the "moths", which is a consequence of improper upbringing. These babies have an amazing ability to instantly switch from playful to furiousTo prevent this from happening, the puppy must undergo socialization from a very early age. Ignoring this should not be done, as it can become the primary and only cause of aggressive behavior.

Immediately after receiving basic vaccinations, your puppy should be taken out into the world and their social circle expanded as much as possible. They should be exposed to the outdoors, various smells, and people, cats, and other cats. A small papillon should understand as early as possible, that children playing with it may unintentionally hurt themselves. "Friendly nibbling" during activities should be strictly discouraged.

Despite its tiny size, the Continental Toy Spaniel is capable of causing considerable damage—it has a very powerful bite!

The character of a toy spaniel is somewhat similar to that of a human. Besides the fact that dogs are very sensitive and touchyThey're also jealous. This jealousy manifests itself not only toward other pets but also toward people, including family members.

It's generally accepted that all small dogs are very restless and "love" to bark for no reason. This doesn't apply to the Papillon. if he decides to "scold" someone, then there will be the most compelling reasons for this.

Appearance

The miniature spaniel's appearance can rightfully be called chic. This little fellow is naturally endowed with a harmonious build, in which everything is perfectly combined:

A very strong, but at the same time visually fragile skeleton. The short stature is compensated by a long bodyA nice bonus was the luxurious, healthy coat, the feathered tail, and, of course, the famous butterfly ears.

• The head of this breed is lighter and smaller than that of standard spaniels. However, this is in keeping with the size of the body. The skull is rounded, with a distinct stop.
• The Papillon's nose should be small, black, and rounded. When viewed from above, it may appear slightly flattened.
• The muzzle is slightly pointed, slightly upturned. The lips are thin, tightly fitting to the jaw, compressed, and heavily pigmented. The jaws are powerful, with a firm grip. The bite is scissor-like. The tongue is well hidden behind the teeth. If it does not retract and protrudes, this is a significant fault.
• According to the standard, the eyes should be large, wide-open, but not bulging (!), and almond-shaped. The eye color is dark, and the eyelids are pigmented. The gaze is expressive.
• And finally, the main attraction is the ears. They should be firmly set and large. The standard is the same for both erect and drooping ears. For example, the tips of both ears should be free of hard cartilage. The ears are set slightly back. There are two varieties of toy spaniels: Phalènes and Papillons. The only difference between them is the ears. The former have drooping ears, while the latter have erect ears. We are now talking about an animal with erect ears, for which there is a specific standard with individual characteristics: the outer surface of the ear should be well-furred, with the longest hair located closer to the edge, and the shells should be turned outward and open.
• The neck is not very long, slightly arched at the back of the head.
• The tail is carried at the level of the loin and is thickly covered with hair. When excited, the tail should be curled over the animal's hip or back. If it curls into a semicircle or ring, this is a significant deviation from the accepted standard.
• The butterfly's limbs are long relative to its body. They can even be compared to a rabbit's feet.
• The nails should be strong, thick, and black. If the Papillon's coat is primarily white, the nails can be the same color. The toes are very flexible, with long hair between them.

The Papillon differs from other dog breeds by its elegant, light and unusually smooth gait, which exudes confidence and aristocracy.

Care and maintenance of Papillon dogs

Papillons don't require any special care, but owners will still have to put in some effort. Speaking of the "younger generation," here the most important thing is care and attention, but standard care should also exist.

Papillon puppies are cute little creatures that look like little balls of fur and need lots of warmth and care. Babies are very vulnerable and sensitive., the owner's mood and his attitude towards them are felt immediately.

Rules for caring for Papillon puppies:

• Growing bodies require proper, regular, and healthy nutrition. Specialists have developed special feeding guidelines and a suitable diet for baby Papillons.
• A puppy, just like an adult dog, needs daily walks at least twice a day. Even if you're desperately short on time, try to devote at least 25-30 minutes to active playtime with your pet.
• It is necessary to constantly monitor the cleanliness of the eyes, ears, nose and coat so that your dog looks neat and well-groomed.

Grooming an adult Papillon also doesn't require much effort. The most important thing to pay attention to is the dog's coat. A healthy Papillon's coat should be clean, thick and shiny. If you notice that your pet's coat has become dull and matted, take it to the vet immediately, as this condition indicates the onset of a disease.

A dog's luxurious coat is its calling card, so it needs to be groomed daily. Bathe your dog as often as it gets dirty with a special dog shampoo. Papillons need to be brushed 2-3 times a week, using gloves and special combs. In spring and fall (during shedding season), the procedure is performed daily.

Your pet's claws also require care: regular inspection, trimming, and removal of growths are essential. The hair between the claws should be trimmed periodically.

The energetic and cheerful nature of the Papillon has made dogs of this breed pets in almost all countries of the world. a cheerful creature, full of energy and optimismwill undoubtedly brighten up your grey everyday life and lift your spirits.