Is A Papillon The Right Dog For You?

Papillons
What Can Be Good About The Breed
What Can Be Bad About The Breed

  • There are energetic Papillons, and placid Papillons.
  • Hard-headed Papillons, and sweet-natured Papillons.
  • Serious Papillons, and good-natured goofballs.
  • Introverted Papillons, and Papillons who love everyone.

If you acquire a Papillon puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm."


Common characteristics for this breed...


If you want a dog who...

  • Is small, easy to carry, and doesn't take up much space
  • Is fine-boned and elegant, light-footed and graceful
  • Has a lovely feathered coat
  • Is lively and playful
  • Is one of the brightest and most trainable of the toy breeds
  • Is polite with strangers

A Papillon may be right for you.



If you don't want to deal with...

  • The fragility of toy breeds (see below)
  • Excessive daintiness and timidity, suspiciousness, or highstrung temperaments in some lines, or when not socialized enough
  • Chasing instincts (birds, mice, flying insects) from their spaniel heritage
  • Regular brushing and combing
  • Shedding
  • Barking
  • Housebreaking difficulties, especially in the cold and rain

A Papillon may not be right for you.



If I were considering a Papillon...

My major concerns would be:

  1. Fragility. Too many people acquire a toy breed puppy without understanding how incredibly fragile a toy breed is. You can seriously injure or kill a Papillon by stepping on him or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep. And Papillons can seriously injure or kill THEMSELVES by leaping from your arms or off the back of your sofa. A larger dog can grab a Papillon and break his neck with one quick shake. Owning a toy breed means constant supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your tiny dog. Papillons must always be kept indoors, in a safely fenced yard, or on-leash -- they are just too easy to injure when not under your complete control.

    Papillons are usually NOT suited to families with small children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Papillon who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Most Papillons feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and fearfulness (even defensive biting) may be the result.

  2. Providing enough socialization. Papillons need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with.

  3. Grooming. To keep their feathered coat free of mats, Papillons require regular brushing and combing, and occasional trimming.

  4. Shedding. Papillons shed quite a bit. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting. Be prepared for frequent vacuuming.

  5. Barking. Papillons are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them.

    Puppies are like parenting all over again! Consistency, good follow through, and firmness by ALL members of a family is a must with any smart dog and a Papillon is a SMART dog. To teach your Papillon to be a good member of your family you need to have time to give the puppy, be consistent,and have a good grasp of your expectations.

  6. Housebreaking. Toy breeds are almost always difficult to housebreak. It is so easy for them to sneak behind a chair or under a small table, and it takes only a few seconds for the deed to be done. The results can be hard to see. When you don't see it, you don't correct it -- and so the bad habit becomes established. If you hope to housebreak a toy breed, consistent crate training is mandatory. Papillons should not be loosed in the house for many months, until their small internal organs become strong enough for reliable control.



If you're considering an adult Papillon...

There are plenty of adult Papillons who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics.
If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.

When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important.
But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.