GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 20-28cm (8”-11”).
Colour: White with patches of colour - Tricolours.
Coat: Abundant and flowing with no undercoat. Short hair on skull, muzzle and front of legs.
Gait: Free, floating, feet straight and plenty of drive.
These dainty little toy dogs are always alert and lively. Two types of ear carriage are permitted - in the papillon, the ears are large, carried obliquely, mobile and heavily fringed. In, the phalene, they are set high but carried down. The skull is rounded and the shorter muzzle tends to be pointed. The head, which must be carried proudly, runs into a level topline and a high setplumed tail is carried over the back with the end falling to one side. Well angulated fore and hindquarters and fine legs, end with longish feet,
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
- Pronounced ‘pah-pee-yon’ in French, this word means butterfly and refers A to the shape of the ears. The word ‘phalene’ means moth in French. Not having an undercoat to protect them from the cold, these dogs prefer being inside. As they are readily trained to kitty litter boxes they are suitable for apartment life but do enjoy a‘ frolic in the garden or the park. Care should be taken not to let toddlers become too rough with them or they might become hand shy nippers. Like many small dogs, Papillons do yap for attention. Regular grooming is necessary for the coat to be kept in good bloom and free of knots. Nails should not be permitted to get too long.
HISTORY
Originally known as dwarf Spaniels in Spain; it was the Bolognese in Italy to whom credit must be given for developing the distinctive breed. Many of these dogs were despatched to European courts, one of the earliest being to Poland in 1545. They also made their way to the French Courts and King Louis XIV, Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette are recorded as owning these enchanting dogs. While all the early specimens had drop ears, it was in France (possibly due to crosses with Chihuahuas) where one first encountered erect ears.