Papillon

Coat and looks how to spot one

long, silky single coat with no undercoat

A small, fine-boned and elegant toy spaniel with a proud carriage and a muzzle slightly shorter than the skull. Its flowing, glossy coat has no undercoat, is short on the face and front of the legs, and grows longer on the body, forming a ruff at the chest, fringes on the ears, feathering on the legs and a plumed tail carried over the back. The large, heavily fringed ears stand up like butterfly wings in the Papillon or hang down in the Phalène.527

Personality what they are like

A cheerful, alert and inquisitive little dog with a big appetite for learning, which makes it a natural at tricks and dog sports. Papillons are affectionate and sociable once they know someone, can be a little reserved at first meeting, and tend to keep a watchful eye on their home. They are companion dogs at heart and prefer company to long spells alone.24376

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderate. About 30 minutes of exercise a day through short walks and lively indoor or garden games, plus regular training for mental stimulation. Many excel in obedience, agility and rally, and some work as therapy dogs.4673

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The silky single coat is fairly easy to keep: brush it about twice a week, paying attention to the ear fringes and feathering. It sheds an average amount and lacks the dense undercoat that tends to mat.647

Home where they are happiest

Well suited to flats and apartments; a garden is not required and it fits into town or country life. At dog parks it is best kept apart from much larger dogs because of its small size.46

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, portion-controlled diet sized for a toy breed, since very small amounts meet an adult's needs. Puppies do best on several small meals a day of a food rich in protein and energy.6

Company who they like around

A devoted companion that likes being near its people and does not enjoy long periods on its own. Usually gets on well with other pets and dogs.67

The story where it all began

Small spaniels of this type can be spotted in Italian art from the 13th century onward, including frescoes attributed to Giotto's era and paintings by Titian such as the Venus of Urbino, and later in works by Veronese, Watteau and Fragonard. Over the 16th to 18th centuries the little dogs became favourites of European courts, above all in France, where Louis XIV, Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette are linked with them. Early examples had hanging ears; the upright, butterfly-like ear became fashionable toward the end of the 19th century, when the name Papillon (French for butterfly) came into use and the drop-eared type became known as the Phalène (moth). The first Papillons reached America in 1907, the AKC recognised the breed in 1915, and a breed club was founded in England in 1924. The FCI accepts both ear types as one breed, the Continental Toy Spaniel, under the patronage of France and Belgium.734126

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard No. 77 (Continental Toy Spaniel), Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 9; varieties Papillon (erect ears) and Phalène (drop ears); definitive acceptance 1 Jan 1954; current standard published 4 Jun 19981

AKC

Toy Group; recognised 19157

UKC

Companion Dog Group; recognised 19502

The Royal Kennel Club

Toy Group; Papillon Club formed in England in 19244

Popularity AKC rank No. 44 in 202410