Dog breed · Toy
Papillon
One of the most trainable toy breeds, regularly competing at the top level in agility and obedience.
Small14–16 yearsFrance and BelgiumCan suit apartments
Breed characteristics
- Group
- Toy
- Origin
- France and Belgium
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 2–5 kg (4–11 lb)
- Height
- 20–28 cm
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
- Coat
- Long, fine, single coat without undercoat
- Temperament
- BrightLivelyConfidentTrainable
History
A continental toy spaniel painted in European portraits since the Renaissance; named for its butterfly ears.
Appearance
Fine-boned and elegant, white with patches of colour and large fringed ears.
Exercise and activity
Forty-five minutes daily plus plenty of trick and puzzle work.
Care and grooming
Brush twice weekly; the single coat mats less than it appears. Daily dental care is essential.
Health considerations
- Patellar luxation
- Dental disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Open fontanel
- Collapsing trachea