The Papillon makes an awesome companion. They are a fan favorite among anyone that meets them. They are outgoing and especially friendly towards everyone they meet. Despite their tiny size, weighing between 4-9 pounds, they are not lap dogs and will not be happy at home on the couch all day. They are very active and require their daily exercise.
The Papillon is a descendant of the Toy Spaniel who was depicted in paintings dating back to the 16th century, they were very popular among court ladies across Europe. The Toy Spaniels of this era had drop ears, but in the 17th century, a litter was born containing a pup with upright ears. This pup was the first of the Papillon breed that we know today, and their name is French for the word butterfly.
They were given this name because of their fringed upright ears, which resemble the outspread wings of a butterfly. These little doggies make surprisingly great watchdogs. They are confident, alert, and will stand up to anyone that is posing a threat. It is important to keep an eye on them so that they don’t get themselves into trouble. They have a ‘big dog’ personality and often forget how tiny they are.
The Papillon is very trainable and is a popular competitor in agility and obedience competitions. These pups are relatively rare simply because they usually don’t have large litters, there are often long waiting lists for receiving this dog. It is not surprising why these dogs are desired by many, they have so many great qualities that will consistently put you in a great mood on your day-to-day!
