Why Papillons are great
Pappilon puppies and adult dogs are lively little canines with huge personalities. They love running around the house but are equally at home curling up in their human's lap. To look at, these are elegant canines and have a dainty appeal all of their own.
Pappilons are definitely not simply lapdogs. They are active canines and they like medium to large amounts of activity. They are also happy companions with a high level of intelligence. This makes them easy to train and fun to be around.
Some highlights:
- Papillon puppies and older dogs make great companions. They love being around humans and they are energetic and bright.
- One of the best things about Papillon puppies is that they are easy to train. Like most dogs, it helps to start training and socialising Papillon puppies as soon as possible.
- Papillons are good to look at. They have an elegant appearance as well as being delicately pretty. This makes them popular for showing.
- For anyone who is looking for a dog that has an outgoing personality, Papillons are an excellent choice. They are confident and spunky.
Things to consider when looking at Papillons for Sale
Some downsides to the Papillon:
- It's important to be careful around Papillon puppies. This is because they have a tendancy to be fragile and can easily get injured.
- Papillon puppies and adults love to be around people. This can cause problems for anyone who does not have a lot have time to spend with their canine housemate.
History of Papillons
These dainty little dogs originated as far back as 1500, in Italy. They became widely known after being featured in several works of art. Over the years they have been faithful companions to several members of royalty including Louis XIV.
As time passed, Papillons became popular as show dogs. This is when they achieved higher levels of fame in England and the US. These early show dogs were bigger than the Pappilons which exist today. They also tended to be more solid in colour, as opposed to the striking patterns that these beautiful little dogs now have.
After years of history, and specialist breeding, Pappilons have become hugely popular household members, thanks to their attractive looks and vibrant personality.
Appearance
How big is the Papillon?
Papillons are tiny dogs that usually measure around 20-28 cms at the shoulder. They normally weigh around 1.8-4 kgs. This means that it's not necessary to have a lot space to provide a home for one of these dogs.
What Colour is the Papillon?
Modern Papillons are mostly white with coloured patches. Ideally, Papillons have a clear white blaze and nose band. However, Papillon puppies without this colouring still make excellent companions. Defined colouring is more important for show dogs.
Temperament
Do Papillons bark a lot?
Papillons are not big on barking although they will greet visitors enthusiastically. The fact that they do not bark excessively is good news for anyone who is looking for a canine companion that will not upset the neighbours.
Are Papillons easy to train?
Pappilon puppies are intelligent, so they can easily be house trained. However, it's important to keep them to a schedule. Crate training is a good idea for these dogs. This is because you should make sure that they are restricted to a certain environment when they are left alone, during the training process.
Are Papillons good with children?
Papillons have a friendly and happy personality. This means that they are perfectly able to mix with big and little humans. However, Pappilon puppies are fragile so they are not suitable for households where there are young children.
Can I leave a Papillon Alone?
Papillons are dogs that want to be with their human companions all the time. This makes them a loving addition to a home. However, it also means that Papillons do not like to be alone. They are not a good choice for homes where there is no-one to be with them most of the time.
Health
How long do Papillons live?
Like many small dogs, Papillons are reasonably long-lived. They have a lifespan of around 13 – 15 years. In order for a Papillon to live for as long as possible care needs to be paid to their health and exercise needs.
How much exercise does a Papillon need?
Papillons do not enjoy living outdoors but they do appreciate running around a yard or garden. However, they can be equally happy tearing around an indoor space. This means that it's not necessary to have a lot of space in order to welcome a Papillon into the household.
It's important to make sure that these active little dogs get the exercise that they need though. This means that Pappilon puppies should have two or three 10-15 minute walks each day. Older dogs should have walks which are 20-30 minutes long. If a Pappilon has had enough exercise, and is tired, it will simply stop of its own accord.
What are Papillons' Common health issues?
Although Pappilons usually live for a relatively long time, they can be prone to some health issues. For anyone who is thinking of buying a Papillon puppy, it's important to know about these potential problems.
- Patellar Luxation. This is due to a misalignment of the patella, femur and tibia. It's a common problem in small dogs.
- Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. It's easy to treat if it's not far advanced. However, it can be fatal if treatment is not provided early enough.
- Collapsed trachea. This is a flattening of the trachea which makes it difficult for the dog to breathe.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This degenerative eye issue eventually causes a dog to lose their sight.
- Open Fontanel. In much the same way as human babies are, Papillon puppies are born with a soft spot on their head. If this spot does not close up as it should, the dog can be killed by a single accidental blow.
Care
How much space do I need for a Pappilon?
Pappilons are small dogs. For this reason, they are quite happy to run around in a small area. This means that they can be homed in an apartment. However, having at least a small or medium sized outside space is ideal.
How much grooming do Papillons need?
Papillons shed hair throughout the year and their coat can easily become matted. This means that a Papillon's coat should be brushed once or twice each week. Doing this also helps to spread natural oils through the coat, keeping it in good condition.
Average costs
How much does it cost to keep a Papillon?
As a rough guide in pricing:
Cost to buy: roughly £600-800 for a well-bred Papillon puppy
Other costs (Vet, Food etc): £70 per month
Specific Buying Guide
You can read our general buying guide here (
/advice-on-buying-a-puppy/), with the most important thing being going to view your Papillon Puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder.
More specifically, here is some Papillon puppy buying advice:
- On occasion, Papillon puppies can seem nervous or timid. This is not a good sign. Papillons should not normally display these characteristics. This is why Pappilon puppies that seem to have this type of personality should be avoided.
- Anyone who takes a Papillon puppy into their home wants their companion to be as healthy as possible. They do not want to take on a dog that is prone to issues. This is why it's important to make sure that any available health checks have been carried out before a puppy is purchased.
Other reading, Adopting Pappilon Puppies and Rescue Organisations
A big thank you to the following sources who helped to shape this article:
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?uDesc=1&id=6161
https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/papillon
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/papillon/
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/small-dogs/papillon
