Papillon Information & Characteristics

The elegant, quick-moving Papillon is a toy dog with an alluring appearance and hearty constitution. Despite their sophisticated features, dogs of this breed have the quintessential features of any canine - happy to explore any situation but alert enough when needed. The name 'Papillon' has French origins and translates to mean ‘butterfly’. The Papillon dog thrives in both warm and cool climates and can join you on your adventures, whether they're outdoor or indoor activities. This breed has been noted as being excellent at agility games while winning consistently high-level competitions.

Table of contents

1. Key specifications of a Papillon dogs
2. Physical appearance of Papillons
3. Papillon personality traits
4. Do Papillons need training?
5. How to care for a Papillon dog breed?
6. A brief history of Papillon dog breed

Key specifications of a Papillon dogs

Here are some details about a Papillon's lifespan, weight, and other attributes. It helps to have this information at hand when bringing home a dog of this breed. 

Physical appearance of Papillons

The coat of a Papillon dog is generally white with patches that vary in color. Some examples include black, red, orange, tan or sable coats, but there are many more variations you can find.

The Papillon is the perfect dog for any climate because it has an elegant, silky coat. The fur is of medium length. 

A purebred Papillon can be easily identified by its prominent, butterfly-shaped ears. The beautifully proportioned Papillon dog measures 8 to 11 inches at shoulder level.

Papillon personality traits

The Papillon is an active and happy dog. It is rarely shy or aggressive but does look forward to a moderate to intense level of activity regularly. This dog will go from one adventure to another with no time off until bedtime rolls around again.

Doing what is best for your dog starts with raising them correctly. Socializing pups early on ensures that they grow into well-rounded pets. This means Papillons need early exposure to many different people and things so that their personalities can develop naturally. 

Inviting visitors over regularly and taking your Papillon puppy to busy parks will help it polish up on social skills. It is also crucial that you take your pup on regular strolls for them to get acquainted with their surroundings while meeting new people or animals along the way. Once your dog develops good social skills, it will make for a great companion on vacation. Do make sure to check with your vet when it is safe to take your fur baby outside for the first time. 

Do Papillons need training?

Papillons are among the most intelligent dog breeds, eager to please their human companions. A Papillon's small size makes it quite easy to carry out house training activities. 

As socialization is very important, obedience classes will help teach your Papillon to do what you want them to. Remember to keep dog treats around to reward your pet when they have been good. 

The Papillon is a devoted dog but does require attention from its owners. If you're not around for long periods, your pet may become bored or develop undesirable habits. So, make sure to bring home a Papillon puppy only if you can give them the time and attention they need and deserve. 

How to care for a Papillon dog breed?

Taking care of a Papillon is quite simple as long as you take efforts to offer this breed the care it needs. 

• Health issues

Papillons are prone to various health problems, including luxating patellas, progressive retinal atrophy and von Willebrand's disease. These issues can be hereditary or caused by environmental factors such as poor diet which leads to cataracts in some cases too.

• Grooming

Keeping your Papillon's fur clean is important to keep them looking fit and healthy. To avoid matting, you should brush out any dirt or debris stuck in their coat with a comb or soft slicker brush every other week, depending on how much hair they have.

• Physical activity

Little dogs are known for being lively and Papillons too will happily jump at the chance of cuddles and playtime. A 30-minute walk each day usually will suffice to keep your pooch happy. 

• Nutritional requirements

The Papillon dog breed is a small furry pet that loves to eat. The recommended feed capacity is 1/4 cup or even less per day, depending on their size and activity level. Two meals will suffice for this energetic breed. If you overfeed your Papillon dog, their delicate knees can suffer. If you need help planning out your dog’s meals, you can ask your vet for a Papillon food chart that will list out mealtimes and quantities as your pet grows.  They can recommend a good dog food brand that will ensure your pet gets the nutrition it requires. 

A brief history of Papillon dog breed

The Papillon dog breed is a beautiful, loyal animal bred as an attentive companion for centuries. These stunning lap warmers were once favourite pets in royal courts all over Europe. They continue to enjoy their popularity today with modern royalty. These sleek and elegant dogs are often seen in portraits by some of Europe's most renowned artists. Rubens, Rembrandt, Goya, and Toulouse Lautrec, among others, included them as subjects for paintings with their signature style to show off how stylish these little lapdogs were at court during royal times.

Read up on all dog breeds and find the perfect pet for yourself on our breeds category page.