Meet The Charming Papillon Dog Breed

The Papillon with its butterfly ears and perky demeanor is one of the oldest breeds of dogs and is often depicted in paintings done during the Renaissance. Once called the Toy Spaniel, as the breed evolved the butterfly wing like ears caused it to acquire as its name the French word for butterfly - Papillon.

A member of the American Kennel Club Toy group, the Papillon was admitted to the AKC in 1935. This breed stands at between 8 and 11 inches tall and weighs between 7 to 10 pounds. Like many members of the Toy group, the Papillon can live to be 15 years or older if cared for properly.

in addition to the striking years, the Papillon has a long plumes tail that carries curled over its back. It has a long lustrous coat and the ears can be carried either direct or drooped ( which is referred to as Phalene Papillon meaning moth). It has a white nose band and alert intelligent eyes. The coat is mainly white with patches of other colors.

The Papillon is a smart, friendly dog that is quite tough for its small size. It loves to be outdoors and is very affectionate and gentle but also vivacious, lively and charming. It can be playful and also patient and gentle as well as dignified. Most Papillon's a steady and obedient, but like any pure breed dog some can be high strong and timid. Papillon's are friendly to people but can be aggressive towards other dogs.

The Papillon can be prone to problems with his kneecaps and hind legs, sometimes requiring corrective surgery. They can also suffer from having an opening at the top of the skull (fontanel) which sometimes can correct itself. Some can have problems under anesthesia.

The Papillon has a strong instinct for protecting their property and therefore may not be a good apartment dog as they may bark excessively if they hear noises in neighboring apartments. Although they can be good indoor dogs, they do become stressed if they do not get regular exercise.

The Papillon does require daily grooming, although the dog is quite clean and odorless. you can dry shampoo or bathe him if you like. They can accumulate tartar on their teeth resulting in dental problems so they teeth should be brushed daily. It is also important to keep their nails trimmed. This dog is only an average shedder and the long silky coat does not become easily tangled.