The Papillon (Butterfly Dog)

...When I first researched the breed, I was drawn to their spaniel breeding, combined with only moderate exercise requirements (1 - 2 miles walk, plus lots of inside and outside games, keeps mine very happy, although she will cheerfully tackle 5 miles+ with anyone prepared to accompany her), and their very low scores on hereditary problems such as hips and temperament. I chose my pup very much for temperament, having met her mother, and am still glad ...
...then fell in love with the tiniest in the litter, so tiny I was terrified when I first introduced her to my rabbit hunting cats! In the event she coped marvellously, and is now extremely good friends with them, especially the smaller cat who is her favourite playmate. She also loves children, and is endlessly patient with toddlers, and also very fond of adults. In fact, she is so good with people that I am about to have her assessed with a view to ... more

I have now had my little papillon for 18 months, and am utterly enamored! When I first researched the breed, I was drawn to their spaniel breeding, combined with only moderate exercise requirements (1 - 2 miles walk, plus lots of inside and outside games, keeps mine very happy, although she will cheerfully tackle 5 miles+ with anyone prepared to accompany her), and their very low scores on hereditary problems such as hips and temperament. I chose my pup very much for temperament, having met her mother, and am still glad I did so, even though she has thrown up a few conformational faults that mean I really should not breed from her (a poor bite, mainly).

I had intended to buy a largish papillon, thinking that this would be a sensibly sized, but small, dog. I then fell in love with the tiniest in the litter, so tiny I was terrified when I first introduced her to my rabbit hunting cats! In the event she coped marvellously, and is now extremely good friends with them, especially the smaller cat who is her favourite playmate. She also loves children, and is endlessly patient with toddlers, and also very fond of adults. In fact, she is so good with people that I am about to have her assessed with a view to becoming a PAT (Pets As Therapy) dog, to make the most of her enjoyment of visiting everybody.

One of the many good things about a papillon is how easy they are to keep looking well-kempt. The coat is almost entirely top coat, and I find a few minutes brushing 2-3 times a week, plus a bath every 4-6 weeks, keeps mine not only looking, but smelling good as well. I was full of good intentions at first and she slept in a basket in the kitchen, but somehow as the months went by she moved up and up, and now sleeps (with a heap of toys) on the end of my bed - and even under the covers when the weather is very cold.

Possibly the most difficult thing with a poppet of a dog like this is not to spoil them - and not to allow your family and friends to do so either! A few treats come to a lot of calories for a tiny dog, and I really have to watch myself not to indulge her - and not to let her get away with blue murder when she looks up at me and laughs! It is also important to socialise them with other dogs and humans - mine was attacked and badly hurt by a rescue ex-racing greyhound when she was only 12 weeks old - I had to sit on my hands not to pull her away from every large dog we met after that, but it has paid off, and she is now confident without being foolhardy.

All in all I would highly recommend this breed for anyone looking for a happy companion dog - including a family pet once children are past the grab and pull stage. Papillons are also excellent warning guard dogs - the flip side of this is that you really have to work on telling them when you WANT them to bark, and when you want them to stop! It can be done, but the message needs to be clear from the start. Many people assume small dogs are yappy - in my experience it is a matter of whether their owners encourage them or not.

For a pedigree puppy expect to pay £500 - £800+ - there are not many being bred in the UK, and breeders are very careful, especially since the breed has appeared on Emmerdale.

PS - Butterfly refers to the head markings and ears, which together are reminiscent of a butterfly's markings. The only time a papillon should fly is (preferably first class) in a suitable carrier on an aircraft!

 

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