Papillon Puppies

COLORS
Papillons come in a variety of colors and markings, so you will find no two Papillons are exactly alike. For the show ring, they are always parti-color or white with patches of any color including black, tricolor, red, orange, tan, and sable. A symmetrical white blaze and noseband are preferred on the face but not essential for prize winning.

SIZE
Their height at the top of the shoulder blade averages 8" to 12" and typically weighing between 3 and 9 pounds. There are smaller and larger varieties available (but not for the show ring). The delicate tinies can serve as exquisite companions for senior citizens, while the oversized ones with larger, stronger bones make delightful additions to active families with well-behaved children. Both males and females make equally suitable pets, and of course, should always be neutered or spayed if not destined for the dog show ring.

With its unusual ears, waving tail plume, and flowing coat, the Papillon is a standout.

Papillons are generally very social and are known to get along well with other animals and pets. My dog, Mani, gets along very well with my cat, Molly. The two of them enjoy playing and snoozing together in the late afternoon. Some Papillons retain sporting instincts from their spaniel heritage and will stalk and pursue birds, mice, and even flying insects. I am always surprised at how fast Mani will go after a bird or squirrel.

The Papillon is lively, happy, and playful, yet light-footed and graceful, not likely to topple lamps. They are not nervous or yappy. They might alert you when someone is at the door but will quiet down immediately when that person has been admitted as a friend. Most Papillons retain their puppy playfulness throughout their lives. They enjoy the attention they draw wherever they go. Their preference is to be with people, not only to be cuddled in a lap, but to accompany walks, car trips, errands, or just plain TV watching.

The Papillon was bred to be a companion dog - a dog that would rather be with you than anywhere else in the world.

My Papillon, Mani, is a good example of a companion dog. He sits by my side on the couch while I read, he is in the kitchen with me when I wash dishes and he waits outside the shower stall when I'm taking a shower. He also sits patiently by my feet when I work on the computer. He is also a good agility dog. He loves to run an agility course! Mani has been obedience trained and he rides in the car when I go running errands. He's also so small that I can put him into a shoulder bag and carry him places where a larger dog may be uninvited.

Papillons are excellent therapy dogs to take to hospitals, nursing and convalescent homes. Mani visits a local Alzheimer's care facility on occasion and the residents there really love him. He is small enough to sit on their laps and be cuddled.

Dog Car Sickness

If your little Papillon suffers from dog car sickness (like mine), you gotta get this all-natural remedy. It is very safe for these little guys. Just sprinkle it on their tongues.
See More Information on Dog Car Sickness.

Papillons love to be clean and will keep themselves "cat clean." It's so cute to watch them groom themselves just like a cat would. A Papillon's coat is silky and of medium length, and slightly longer around the ruff and chest. Many breeders call the Papillon coat "wash and wear" because it does not require extensive grooming and does not mat or tangle. It does, however, require regular combing. NEVER brush a Papillon's coat when it is fully dry. Spritz a tiny bit of water with a spray bottle or use a quality conditioning spray.

They have no undercoat so they do not shed like most long-haired breeds, and the resilient coat texture sheds dirt and dry grass with the touch of a brush. The pet Papillon requires no trimming of the coat, although the bottoms and sides of the feet can be trimmed for a more tidy appearance.

To make grooming easier, I recommend using the spray attachment that all the professional groomers use; just hook it up to your own shower. The soap is already attached to the spray nozzle and dispenses automatically when you flip the switch for "shampoo." If you are not familiar with this dog bath, take a look at this video which demonstrates how to use it. This certainly makes bathing WAY EASY!

View the Instructional Dog Bath Video

Papillons excel in agility. Their "trainability" ranks extraordinarily high, enhanced by a strong desire to please; thus, they are rapidly becoming sought after as obedience and agility competition dogs. They are No. 8 on the most intelligent dog list.

In comparison to the more common large breeds found in the obedience trials, the Papillon's small size, lively action, and intense attention to their handler always draw a crowd of spectators to ringside.

The breed also is ideal for service as Hearing Ear Dogs for the deaf and hearing impaired and therapy dogs (visiting hospitals and nursing homes). They also do full mobility work (helps wheel chair users by picking up a variety of things of the floor, by pulling the laundry out of the dryer, bring the phone, opening and closing cabinets, doors, etc.), and do it as well as the big guys!

The Papillon is not a dog to be chosen simply because you like its looks, no matter how appealing the dog might be. And, although its "wash and wear" coat might be a selling point for some people, that should not be the sole reason to choose this particular breed.

You must examine your lifestyle and identify exactly why you want a dog and what you plan to do with your dog. If you like to play rough-and-tumble games with your dog, don't get a Papillon. If you are looking for a guard dog, don't get a Papillon. If you want to do protection training or Shutzhund training, don't get a Papillon. If you want a backyard dog, don't get a Papillon. If you want to make money breeding dogs, don't get a Papillon. It is also too risky to subject these tiny dogs to the unpredictable behavior of small children.

BREEDER or RESCUE?

Deciding to buy your Papillon from a reputable breeder or a breed rescue is a matter of choice. Determine beforehand what it is you are looking for in a Papillon. If you are looking for the perfect conformation (pet or show quality), a reputable breeder would be the way to go. If you are looking for a good pet, you might want to check out the breed rescues. It is always important to tell the breeder or rescue about your personality and what you would like to do with the dog. You need to consider whether you want a dog that will perform well for obedience and agility, or a dog that will easily adapt to being a quiet house pet, preferring long walks to competition.

The best way to find a Papillon is to go to local dog shows (conformation, obedience, agility, etc.) Talk to the owners and breeders you meet. Ask a lot of questions. Find out if the breed is a good fit for your lifestyle. You can also check out the AKC website as well as the Papillon Club of America.

Toy breed dogs are known for being difficult to housebreak. However, I have found that if you are serious and consistent, it is not difficult at all. You will most definitely need to buy a crate! Crate training is a must when house training any dog. A good sized crate for a Papillon is a 24-inch crate like the one here. This is the 24-inch Small Folding Dog Crate.

The dog must be crated at night when you go to bed. First thing in the morning you must take the dog directly from the crate to the place outside where you would like the dog to call it's "potty area." For very young puppies use a timer or a clock and set it at 30 minutes. Take your puppy out each time the bell rings. If the puppy doesn't relieve himself, just praise him for going outside. As the puppy gets older, you can increase the time. You only need to stay outside with the puppy for a few minutes.

Learn to read your puppy's body language. When a puppy starts circling or sniffing around, pick him up and take him outside FAST. Papillon pups should not be loosed in the house until their small internal organs become strong enough for reliable control. In other words, never leave your puppy outside of the crate while unattended, and don't "trust" them until they are at least a year old.

If your dog does have an accident in the house, clean it up immediately and use an odor eliminator to get rid of any odor left behind so the dog does not go there again.