About

PAPILLON BREED PROFILE

Height: 8-11 inches

Weight: 3-9 lbs.

Colors: Primarily white body with pale lemon, red, chesnut, mahogany, black or tri. The color should cover the ears and eyes.

Coat: Long and silky with no undercoat. Brushing at least once a week is recomended.

Temperment: Friendly

Health issues: Very healthy in general, but Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Patella problems can be ssociated with the breed. Papillon breeders have worked hard to wipe these problems out.Lifespan: 13-16 years with proper care.

Origin: France from the 1400-1500's

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PAPILLON

The origin of the Continental Toy Spaniel, of which the Papillon is the modern representative, can be traced through the paintings of the Old Masters of every country in Western Europe as far back as the earliest years of the 16th Century. Beginning about 1500, Vecelli, called Titian, painted a number of tiny spaniels, rather similar to the hunting spaniels of the day. In that century and the next, dogs -- so like the Titian spaniel that it is safe to assume this was a pure breed -- made their appearance in Spain, France and the Low Countries.

We can only speculate on the ancestry of the Titian spaniel. Classical Greece and Rome possessed toy dogs but these were a spitz type which seems to have become extinct. During the Dark Ages only hunting and working dogs would have been of value, but with the dawn of the Renaissance, Italy became a prolific source of toy breeds of many varied types: toy greyhounds, dwarf barbets (a sort of miniature poodle, often clipped lion-fashion), dogs of Cayenne (which were curiously pug-like), and a number of breeds which probably resulted from crosses of various sorts. The toy spaniel was quite different from any of these in its characteristics.

One authority has suggested that the toy spaniel was brought from China, with which country the Venetians had traded since the days of Marco Polo, the Chinese did, in fact, have, as late as the 18th Century, a parti-colored, long-coated dog not unlike the Titian spaniel, along with those resembling the modern Pekingese. But as the breeders of the Renaissance were able to reduce greyhounds and barbets to very small size, it seems unnecessary to resort to the Chinese theory to account for the toy spaniel.

The name spaniel means dog of Spain, for which reason it has often been inferred that the spaniel breeds originated there. The spaniel family, which includes the setters, is as old as such other basic canine patterns as the hounds, the mastiffs or the spitzes. It is therefore probable that the hunting spaniels came to Europe along with successive Asiatic tribes. In this case, spaniel was a misnomer for the hunting breeds as well as for the toy.

The often repeated story that the conquerors of Mexico brought the Chihuahua to Spain and that the Papillon is descended from it seems to have no historical basis. The Titian spaniel had been developed as a pure breed prior to the Conquest of Mexico. Furthermore, this theory seems to have been fabricated to account for the erect, oblique ears of the Papillon. But it explains nothing, because the Continental Toy Spaniel did not become the butterfly dog with erect ears until
two and a half centuries after the Conquest.

The continued popularity of the little spaniel in court circles gave the breeders a ready market for their dogs. Evidently they conducted an intensive breeding program for its refinement.  Over the years it developed finer bone, more abundant coat and profuse feathering. The most characteristic change, however, was in the shape of the head. Titian's spaniels had relatively flat heads with little stop; a type of toy spaniel painted shortly after by Veronese and others had high-domed, sometimes bulging heads. By the time of Louis XIV, French and Belgian breeders had perfected the type they sought. Mignard, the official court painter, in his portraits of the child Marie de Bourbon, the Dauphin and His Family, and several paintings of Henriette d'Orleans, shows us a little spaniel that could scarcely be improved upon today.

From Titian through Mignard and his contemporaries, all of the Continental Toy Spaniels had drooping ears. The ears were set high, although far enough apart to show the curve of the skull. They were of medium size, hanging, as one writer has expressed it, "lightly." There may, however, have been an occasional dog with leathers of sufficient strength for the ears to stand erect. Two 18th Century paintings suggest this.

Suddenly, toward the end of the 19th Century, the erect ear carriage with its butterfly appearance became highly fashionable. In fact, it so caught the public fancy that the new term of "Papillon" quickly became the name for the entire breed. Several attempts have been made in the past to straighten out the names of the two varieties, without much success. Recently the international Papillon organization, to which the American but not the English club is affiliated, has given to the drop eared variety the name of "Phalene."

The Titian dogs were red and white. Before long, specimens appeared in all shades from pale lemon to deepest chestnut, while some of the most beautiful examples were black and white or silver-grey and white, All these colors were usually marked with a white blaze and often with the thumb mark on the top of the head. Then, toward the end of the l9th Century through the first two decades of this one, the vogue was for solid colors or for dogs with only the feet and chest splashed with white. Today the solid colors have disappeared and the preference is again for an evenly marked parti-color. People often insist on a one-word answer to the question, "Where does the breed come from?" Baron Albert Houtart of Belgium, author of the most authoritative work on this subject, demonstrated that credit for perfecting the Continental Toy Spaniel belongs equally to France and to Belgium. This statement is also true for the development of the erect-eared type. Both countries may rightfully consider the Papillon a native breed.

The little Papillon has survived rather better than the Royal Families in whose courts he was once such a favorite. Men, women and children of all ages and in all walks of life take him into their laps and hearts. Now, as truly as in the past, when he has found his way into a home, he is there to stay, as loving as he is beloved.
               

Frequenty Asked Questions

What is the difference between show quality and pet quality?

The terms "show quality" and "pet quality" used by breeders is often confused.  These terms are generally used by show breeders, as opposed to backyard breeders and puppy mills because show breeders focus on producing the highest quality litters possible in hopes of keeping something for show.  They research pedigrees and genetics to plan their litters.  They document results for future consideration.  They carefully nurture and socialize their puppies to represent the breed as best possible.  They study the puppies and how they conform to breed standards in an attempt to determine potential for show.  It can take from  6 to 7 months for a full evaluation of a show puppy.  This is one of the the reasons why show breeders sometimes keep puppies longer for evaluation.  A determination of "show quality" means that the breeder believes that the puppy is an excellent representation of the breed standard and has the potential to achieve a championship title if shown in conformation.

If a puppy is not considered an excellent representation of the breed standard for any reason (too large, too small, bite issues, disqualifying markings, etc..), it is referred to as "pet quality."  It is still a top quality pet that is far above average, given its fine breeding and will make an excellent companion, obedience and/or agility prospect.

What are the main health concerns of the Papillon?

Patella Luxation
Patella Luxation is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location. It's most often seen in small dogs. Unfortunately, the cause of patella luxation is not yet known. There is no concrete evidence that the condition is genetic, and may feel it is a congenital condition. However, you have to wonder why so many Toy dogs are affected. Many small breeds are often born with this defect, although a fall or a twisting injury can cause patella dislocation or seriously aggravate the already exhausting condition. Some dogs have this problem for years and others may have it all their lives. Medically, little can be done other than treating your dog with anti-inflammatory medication when it flares up.
 
However if a pet is seriously affected, surgery might be recommended. Today, because of the advances of veterinary science, different types of corrective surgery is available. Signs to consider: difficulty straightening the knee, leg pain, limping, or the tip of the hocks points outward while the toes point inward. Medical advances are being made everyday in all areas of veterinary medicine. Call your vet if you notice anything suspicious. Also, let your breeder know if one of their dogs develops this problem. If you don't he, or she will have no way to select against it in the future.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca NY describes Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) as "A hereditary disease of the eye which causes blindness. The retina is the tissue lining the back wall of the inside of the eye and is composed of photoreceptor cells called rods and cones. The rods function in dim light, and cones in bright light. A PRA affected dog begins to have difficulty seeing in dim light then gradually loses the ability to see in bright light. Eventually the dog will become completely blind. As vision fails, the pupils become increasingly dilated and may take on a shiny or iridescent quality..." There is no way to test whether a dog is a gene carrier or not. However, in Denmark, numerous blood samples from Papillon family groups suffering from PRA have been collected and sent to Professor Gus Aguirre at Cornell. He's trying to find the causative gene of PRA.

Additionally, at Cornell's Center for Canine Genetics & Reproduction for Animal Health, researchers tell us "...PRA in all breeds so far studied is an autosomal recessive disorder. This means to be affected, a pup has to receive one copy of the defective gene from both parents. At Michigan State University-Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences another group is conducting a research program with the aim of developing a genetic test to enable the eradication of PRA. Michigan State has considerable experience in looking for gene defects in dogs. They have announced that this research project hopefully will give them the opportunity of discovering a blood test to enable the eradication of PRA.

A dog develops PRA with two copies of the gene: one from the dam and one from the sire, even if the parents appear to be normal. PRA in Papillons comes late in the dog's life. The first signs can usually be seen by a ophthalmic examination at the age of 3-5 and is sometimes recognized as late as 9-10 years old. Presently, there is no cure, no treatment and no way to stop the disease. PRA in Papillons develops very slowly and in such a way that Papillons can become totally blind-even at an old age. PRA is an unwanted defect in the breed and breeders make every effort not to spread the gene by not breeding dogs that are known to be gene carriers or are affected by PRA.