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)
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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.
Varieties
Temperament
Behaviour of the Papillon (Continental Toy Spaniel)
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Compatibility
Price
The price of a Papillon varies according to his origins, age and gender. An average of £690 is asked for a dog registered with the Kennel Club.
Around £20 /month will be necessary to support a dog of this size.
Grooming
The maintenance of this toy dog is not complicated despite his abundance of fur. You just have to untangle the coat regularly to avoid the forming of knots.
Otherwise, it is not necessary to groom him, except if he is really dirty. But generally speaking, this dog is clean.
His ears are to be monitored and cleaned regularly, especially the drooping ears of the Phalène.
Shedding
The Continental Toy Spaniel only moults once a year, but he still requires daily brushing to remove dead hair.
Nutrition of the Papillon (Continental Toy Spaniel)
Even if high-quality industrial food is suitable for this small dog, he prefers traditional food based on raw meat, fish, fresh vegetables and starches.
A veterinary follow-up is advisable to confirm the suitability of his menu, especially during puppyhood.
One meal a day is enough and should be offered in a quiet place, preferably in the evening.
Health of the Papillon (Continental Toy Spaniel)
Life expectancy
Life expectancy is estimated at 14 years.
Strong / robust
Despite his fragile appearance, this dog is quite robust relative to his size so he enjoys a very good longevity.
Withstand heat
It is necessary to avoid the exposure of this dog to the sun when it is too hot because a heat stroke can quickly affect him. It is necessary to take walks early in the morning and late in the evening and to give him fresh water regularly.
Withstand cold
It is not uncommon to see these little dogs clad in coats when it starts to get cold. In reality, they do not necessarily need it because, despite the fact that they don’t have an undercoat, they are much more robust than people would think.
Tendency to put on weight
Only when one neglects his needs for expending energy does he begins to gain weight. Otherwise, he is not greedy or gluttonous, so there is no reason for this dog to become overweight.
Common illnesses
- Atrial disorder
- Retinal progressive atrophy
- Follicular dysplasia of black hair
- Progressive hereditary ataxia