Sometimes more commonly referred to as a Continental Toy Spaniel, the Papillon dog is a very small dog usually weighing in at about seven to 10 pounds and height at about eight to 11 inches with female dogs weighing less than male Papillon dogs. This dog’s origin dates back to almost 700 years ago in Europe, at which time this dog had dropped ears and was more commonly known as dwarf spaniels. The Papillon also has a famous art history being featured through the Renaissance period via 13th -15th century Italian paintings.
First recognized in 1915 by the AKC, the Papillon dog can be taught to perform a number of tricks and is known to be a good watchdog, even for its size, as this type of dog is very protective of its owner.
One of the best things about this type of dog is that their life expectancy can be as much as 16 years making it the perfect dog for younger children as it can grow up with them provided that the dog owner maintains strict rules for the dog to abide by. Without strict rules, the Papillon could become very aggressive and intimidate children while also being deceitful. However, the Papillon dog is not recommended for families with children under six years of age.
Otherwise, the Papillon dog is a very sweet, friendly and extremely intelligent while also being charming, lively and playful. While the Papillon may be hard to house train, they are very obedient. They do not make good apartment dogs or city dogs as they are very prone to bark excessively at even the littlest noises.
The Papillon dog is long-lived, as previously stated, and is generally physically healthy. This breed of dog can have health problems such as loose kneecaps, eye problems and sometimes can incur a soft spot on the top of the head. Usually, surgery can take care of the health problems; however, some dogs may find it difficult to be under anesthesia.
Loving to play and romp outdoors, the Papillon is the perfect companion to any dog lover that is simply looking for someone special to spend their time with.
