Papillon (Continental Toy Spaniel)
Other names: Papillon, Phalene

The Papillon is a gentle, docile companion dog who can be a little 'invasive' sometimes in his constant search for attention and hugs. The quietest subjects can be suitable for the elderly, while the most active ones will get along beautifully with children they can play with. There are two varieties of Continental Toy Spaniel which are distinguished by the ears: one variety has straight ears (called "Papillon/butterfly") and the other has hanging ears (called "Phalène/moth").
Key facts about the Papillon (Continental Toy Spaniel)
Origins and history
The Papillon is an ancient dog represented on many paintings of the Renaissance, next to the great ladies of the time. It is therefore believed that his origin is European (Western Europe). His most recent history is recorded in France and Belgium where, in the last century, the Continental Toy Spaniel was divided into the two current varieties, depending on the shape of their ears (butterfly or moth). The official recognition of the breed is fairly recent since the CFI approved the standard in 1937.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs
Section
Section 9 : Continental Toy Spaniel and Russian Toy
Physical characteristics of the Papillon (Continental Toy Spaniel)
Adult size
Female : Between 10 and 12 in
Male : Between 10 and 12 in
Weight
Female : Between 2 and 11 lb
Male : Between 2 and 9 lb
Coat colour
The body of the coat is white and, elsewhere, every colour is allowed. The main colour should always be white.
Type of coat
The hair is mid-length.
The hair of the outer coat is thin but abundant and gives the appearance of a shiny, silky, wavy fur without ever being curly. There is no undercoat.
Eye colour
The eyes are dark.
Description
The Continental Toy Spaniel is a small dog with a great structure and a lively appearance. Its head is light, and the nose is small and black, but slightly flattened. The eyes are wide, almond-shaped and expressive. The ears are thin: in the Papillon, they are straight, adorned with fringes (they resemble the wings of a butterfly) and the pinna (ear flap) well open. In the Phalène, they are hanging and mobile, garnished with long wavy hair (their layout recalls the wings of a moth which are not raised but extended). The tail is curved on the back and forms a graceful plume.
Good to know
You should never cross a Papillon with a Phalène because it can lead to the birth of puppies with mixed ears meaning semi-upright and this constitutes a very serious defect and does not correspond to the standard of the breed.