At a glance the quick version
FCI weight classes: under 2.5 kg, or 2.5-4.5 kg for dogs and 2.5-5 kg for bitches; minimum 1.5 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, single, silky
A dainty toy spaniel with a long, glossy, gently wavy coat and no undercoat. Its high-set ears hang down but stay mobile and are framed by long fringes of hair.32
Personality what they are like
A bright, lively companion that loves its family and enjoys play and lap time alike. It can be cautious with new people, so early and gentle socialising helps, and it makes an alert little watchdog.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Short daily walks and indoor games suit it, and its sharp mind enjoys training and dog sports.26
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush the silky single coat a couple of times a week, taking care with the ear fringes. Having no undercoat, it feels the cold more than double-coated dogs.25
Home where they are happiest
Adapts well to flats and houses; keep it warm in cold weather because of its thin single coat.2
Company who they like around
Very people-focused and happiest living close to its family; socialise it early with people and other animals.2
The story where it all began
The Phalène is the older, drop-eared form of the Continental Toy Spaniel, and spaniels with this look appear in European paintings from around the 1500s. Erect ears became fashionable in the late 1800s, and the drop-eared type grew rare by the mid-20th century until dedicated breeders kept it going.24
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
"Phalène" is French for a night moth, a nod to how its lowered ears look like folded moth wings next to the butterfly-eared Papillon.2
- 2
Papillon and Phalène puppies can be born in the same litter.2
- 3
Spaniels with the Phalène's drooping ears can be seen in Titian paintings from around 1500.4
- 4
The FCI standard sets two weight classes, including one for dogs under 2.5 kg.3
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Drop-eared variety of the Continental Toy Spaniel, Standard No. 77, Group 9; definitive acceptance 1 Jan 1954; both varieties compete for the CACIB1
- AKC
- Registered and shown together with the Papillon as one breed4
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Phalène. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI nomenclature: Continental Toy Spaniel (77) fci.beused for recognition, origin
- Wikipedia: Phalène en.wikipedia.orgused for history, temperament, facts
- FCI standard No. 77 fci.beused for size, weight, coat, colour, ears
- Wikipedia: Papillon dog en.wikipedia.orgused for lifespan, history, AKC status
- VCA: Papillon vcahospitals.comused for lifespan, grooming
- Royal Kennel Club: Papillon royalkennelclub.comused for lifespan, exercise
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.