Breed Profile: Papillon

The papillon is descended from the continental toy spaniel, a breed popular among European royalty from about 1000 C.E. The first depiction of a dog resembling the modern papillon dates back to 1200, and ancestors of the papillon were staples in the houses of generations of French royalty, from King Henry III and King Louis XIV to Marie Antoinette. Over time, papillons grew to be distinguished from other European lap dogs because of their smaller frames and distinctive upright ears that resemble butterfly wings—the breed’s name is the French word for “butterfly.”

The papillon came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century—novelist Edith Wharton was one of the very first Americans to own one. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1915. Though relatively rare at first, the breed’s popularity soared after a papillon won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 1999. Shortly after this, the number of papillons registered with the AKC doubled, and since then they have become increasingly common as house pets and have continued to excel as show and service dogs as well.

The following description is of an “ideal” papillon. Not all papillons will fit the description exactly, but that’s not an issue unless you want one who can participate in dog shows.

Papillons are energetic, cheerful, and intelligent, and do not fit the “lap dog” stereotype. They are highly versatile and not only serve as loving companions to their owners but also as loyal service dogs to people with disabilities.

Here are some traits to consider when determining how well a papillon is going to fit in with you and your family.

Papillons are friendly and affectionate and love to spend time with their owners. They are so devoted to their family that they may become possessive of their loved ones and jealous of outsiders—which is why proper socialization is particularly important for this breed. Papillons want to do whatever their owners are doing and are likely to follow their owners all over the house. However, few papillons are prone to relax on the couch watching television with their owner for long periods of time—in fact, some papillons dislike cuddling and would simply rather lie near their owners. Papillons get along well with older children, as long as children are taught the proper way to play and interact with a dog. Younger children should be carefully supervised around this breed, though, as they can accidentally hurt a papillon with rough play.

Papillons are hardy and adaptable and can adjust to a wide variety of living situations. Even the most active of them can live happily in a small space because they do not need much room to get sufficient exercise (though they are frequent barkers, which may be a problem for those with neighbors living close by). Papillons also thrive in a country setting and will be just as happy to romp outside as they would indoors. Their single coats don’t provide much protection from the elements, however, so they shouldn’t be outdoors for long periods of time. They also are not suited for homes with other, larger dogs, because they could be seen as prey due to their small size and quick movements. Papillons can get along well with smaller animals but often have a high prey drive themselves and may chase birds or small rodents.

Your energetic papillon can get a substantial aerobic workout from a 20-minute game of fetch in your living room, though he also will enjoy an occasional walk or hike outside. The most energetic papillons are more like miniature border collies and can get themselves into trouble or become destructive without an hour or two of interactive, demanding activity during the course of a day. This active breed is not suited for owners with more sedentary lifestyles.

Papillons are intelligent, adept problem-solvers, and they love to learn, making them highly trainable. They are among the most successful breeds in obedience and agility competitions and take quickly not only to basic obedience commands but also a variety of tricks. Like many smaller dogs, however, they can be difficult to housetrain.