The Dog Centre - for professional dog trainers in the UK

Papillon

General Appearance

Dainty, well balanced little dog. An alert bearing and intelligent expression

  Below Average Above Key
Likelihood to wander   Medium    
Protectiveness     High  
Destructiveness     High  
Quietness   Medium    
Good with children   Medium    
Affinity to other dogs   Medium    
Size Low      
Lifespan   Medium   Below: < 10 years
Average: > 10 years
Above: > 15 years
Location   Medium   Below: Town only
Average: Town and Country
Above: Country only

Characteristics

The name ‘Papillon’ is derived from the shape and position of the ears. When erect they are carried obliquely like the spread wings of a butterfly, hence the name. When the ears are completely dropped this type is known as the ‘Phalene’ (Moth). Head markings should be symmetrical, about a narrow white, clearly defined blaze which is desirable but not essential to represent the body of a butterfly.

Temperament

Lively, intelligent, friendly, with no aggression; always alert.

Head and Skull

Skull slightly rounded between ears, muzzle finely pointed and abruptly finer than the skull, accentuating well defined stop. Length from tip of nose to stop approximately one-third of length of head. Nose black.

Eyes

Medium size, rounded, never bulging, dark with dark rims, placed rather low in skull.

Ears

Very large, mobile with rounded tips, heavily fringed; set towards back of head far enough apart to show slightly rounded shape of skull. Leathers firm but fine. When erect each ear should form an angle of approximately 45 degrees to head.

Mouth

Jaws strong, with perfect regular, and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips thin, tight and dark in colour.

Neck

Medium length.

Forequarters

Shoulders well developed and sloping. Chest rather deep. Forelegs straight, slender and fine boned. Elbows close to chest.

Body

Fairly long with level topline; well sprung ribs, loin strong, of good length, slightly arched belly.

Hindquarters

Well developed, well turned stifle. Legs when viewed from behind parallel. Dewclaws on hind legs removed.

Feet

Fine, fairly long, hare-like. Tufts of hair between toes extending far beyond them.

Tail

Long, well fringed, set on high, arched over back with fringes falling to side to form plume.

Gait

Light, free-flowing, positive and free from any restriction. Viewed from in front or behind, legs and feet moving parallel to each other, with feet turning neither in nor out. Viewed from side, dog covering ground well with no hint of hackneyed action.

Coat

Abundant, flowing but without undercoat; long fine silky, falling flat on back and sides; profuse frill on chest; short and close on skull, muzzle and front parts of legs. Rear of forelegs to pasterns, tail and thighs covered with long hair.

Colour

White with patches, which may be any colour except liver. Tricolours, black and white with tan spots over eyes, tan inside ears, on cheeks, and under root of tail.

Size

Height 20-28 cms (8-11 ins). Dog will appear slightly longer than high when properly furnished with ruff and hind fringes.

Excercise Requirements

Light

Grooming Needs

Moderate

Notes

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.




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