Papillon Dog Breed: Size, Temperament, Colors, Care & Lifespan

What Is a Papillon? History and the Butterfly Name

A Papillon is a purebred toy dog, not a mix. It is one of the oldest toy breeds and comes from the small toy spaniels of European royal courts. Early versions were called the Dwarf Spaniel or Continental Toy Spaniel, and they appear in European paintings from the 1400s and 1500s. Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette were both fans.

“Papillon” is French for butterfly, after the large, fringed ears that stand up and out like wings. The older drop-eared type is still part of the breed and is called the Phalène, French for moth, because its ears hang down like folded wings. Erect ears became fashionable in the late 1800s and are now the more common look.

Papillons were bred as companions, and that is still their job. Today they also shine in agility and obedience, and a Papillon won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1999.

What a Papillon Looks Like: Colors, Ears, Tail and Coat

A Papillon is small, fine-boned and slightly longer than it is tall, with a light, quick way of moving. The ears are the giveaway: large, set high and heavily fringed. The tail is long and plumed and is carried arched over the back.

• Coat: long, fine, silky and straight, lying flat on the back and sides. It is a single coat with no undercoat, so it does not mat easily.
• Colors: always white with patches of any color, or parti-color. Common combinations are white with black, red, sable, lemon or black and tan. A white blaze and noseband are typical but not required.
• Colors to question: an all-white Papillon or one with no white is outside the breed standard. That does not make it a worse pet, but treat it as a reason to ask more questions if a seller charges extra for a “rare” color.
• Size: 8 to 11 inches (20 to 28 cm) tall. Weight should match height, so a taller dog can healthily weigh more.

Papillon Temperament and Personality

Papillons are happy, alert and friendly. They are curious, quick to learn and much tougher than they look. Most owners describe a dog that wants to be part of everything: following you from room to room, joining in games and learning new tricks for fun.

They bond closely with their people and do not like being alone for long. With strangers, a well-socialized Papillon is usually outgoing, but one that missed early socialization can be shy or wary. Some will nip if they feel cornered or overwhelmed, which is one more reason to start socializing early (see the training section below).

Papillons are alert watchdogs and will tell you when someone is at the door. How much they bark beyond that depends on training, exercise and boredom more than on the breed.

Is a Papillon Right for You? Pros, Cons and Daily Needs

A Papillon suits singles, couples, older owners and families with older, gentle children. It is a good fit for apartments as long as it gets daily walks and play. It is a poor fit for homes where it would be alone all day.

• Pros: small and easy to carry, very trainable, lively but not hyper, long-lived, easy coat with no trimming needed, adapts to city or country life.
• Cons: fragile legs, so jumping from sofas and rough handling can cause injuries; dislikes being left alone; can be vocal if bored; the long coat sheds; can be fussy with strangers if not socialized.
• Kids: better with children old enough to sit on the floor and play gently. Toddlers can drop or step on a dog this small, so always supervise.
• Other pets: usually social with other dogs and cats when introduced calmly. Watch play with much bigger dogs, which can injure a Papillon by accident.
• Exercise: about 30 minutes a day, split into walks and play. Papillons also need mental work: short training sessions, puzzle toys and new places to sniff.
• Time alone: build it up slowly from a young age. A few hours is fine for most adults; a full workday alone, every day, usually is not.

Papillon vs. Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Phalène

Papillons are often compared with other tiny breeds. They are usually a little taller and leggier than a Chihuahua or Pomeranian, with a lighter coat than a Pom.

So, are Papillons bigger than Chihuahuas? Usually yes, by a few pounds and a couple of inches, although the ranges overlap. Read our Chihuahua breed guide and Pomeranian breed guide to compare them in more detail.

Papillon Grooming and Shedding

The Papillon coat looks high-maintenance but is one of the easier long coats to keep. It has no undercoat, does not mat easily and needs no trimming for a pet. Plan on a quick brush a few times a week.

• Brushing: use a pin or natural bristle brush along the direction of hair growth, then a fine metal comb through the ear fringes, the “skirt” on the back legs and the tail. These long areas tangle first.
• Shedding: Papillons shed moderately all year, with a bit more in spring and fall. Brush more often in those weeks.
• Bathing: bathe only when the dog is dirty or smells, with a dog shampoo and lukewarm water. Keep water out of the ears and dry the coat fully.
• Nails: small dogs on soft floors rarely wear their nails down. Trim a little at a time and stop before the pink quick; keep styptic powder nearby.
• Ears: the large ears catch dirt. Check them weekly and clean with a vet-approved ear cleaner if they look dirty. Redness or a bad smell means a vet visit.
• Teeth: tiny mouths crowd teeth, so dental disease is common. Brush daily if you can, with a dog toothpaste.

Ready to set up a grooming kit? A pin brush, a fine metal comb, small nail clippers and a dog toothbrush cover almost everything a Papillon needs.

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What to look for in Papillon gear: a pin brush with rounded tips and a fine metal comb for the fringes; small, sharp nail clippers sized for toy dogs; and a soft, adjustable harness that does not press on the throat, with a chest strap that fits a 5 to 10 lb dog.

Papillon Training and Potty Training Basics

Papillons are among the easiest toy breeds to train. They learn fast, love praise and treats, and get bored with repetition, so keep sessions short and end on something the dog already knows. Use rewards, never harsh corrections: a sensitive Papillon shuts down when scolded.

• Start with: name, sit, down, come and a polite “leave it”. Then add tricks; Papillons enjoy having a job.
• Walk on a harness: a harness protects the small neck and windpipe better than a collar. Let the puppy wear it indoors with treats before the first walk.
• Try a sport: agility, rally and trick training suit the breed and burn mental energy.

Socialization

Start as soon as your puppy comes home and your vet says it is safe. Let it meet calm, gentle people and dogs, hear everyday sounds and visit new places in short, happy sessions. Introduce calm adult dogs before busy dog parks, and give the puppy a safe spot to retreat to. A small puppy class is a good next step.

Potty training

Small bladders mean frequent trips. Take your Papillon out after waking, after meals, after play and before bed, always to the same spot, and reward it the moment it finishes. Watch for sniffing, circling or whining. Pee pads can help in apartments or bad weather. A correctly sized crate helps too, because most dogs avoid soiling where they sleep. Clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner and never punish them.

Barking and time alone

Most barking comes from boredom or alerting. Daily exercise, puzzle toys and a calmly taught “Quiet” cue help. Because Papillons dislike being alone, teach short absences early: leave for a few minutes, come back calmly and build up slowly. If your dog panics, drools or destroys things when left, talk to your vet or a qualified behaviorist.

Papillon Lifespan, Health Issues and Vet Care

Papillons are a long-lived, generally healthy breed. Most live 12 to 15 years, and many well-cared-for Papillons reach 15 or older. The problems below are the ones to know about and to ask a breeder about.

• Luxating patella: a kneecap that slips out of place. Signs are skipping, hopping or holding up a back leg for a few steps.
• Dental disease: a small mouth crowds the teeth, so tartar and gum disease are common. Daily brushing and regular dental checks make a big difference.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): an inherited eye disease that slowly leads to blindness. A DNA test can show whether a breeding dog carries it.
• Neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD): a rare inherited nerve disease in puppies. Responsible breeders DNA-test for it.
• Bleeding disorder (von Willebrand disease): some UK breeders DNA-test for it.
• Anesthesia: like many tiny breeds, Papillons can be sensitive to anesthesia. Ask your vet how they plan for this before any procedure.

Keep your Papillon lean, because extra weight strains small knees. Use ramps or steps instead of letting it jump off furniture, book regular checkups (your vet may suggest more often as your dog ages), and see your vet promptly for limping, changes in eyesight, bad breath, coughing or any change in appetite or energy.

Finding a Papillon: Rescue First, Then Careful Breeders

Tiny Loving Canines is not a rescue and does not rehome dogs, but we always suggest looking at rescue first. Adult Papillons and Papillon mixes do turn up in shelters and breed rescues, and an adult’s personality is already known. Ask local shelters, small-dog rescues and Papillon breed clubs in your country to tell you when one comes in.

If you buy a puppy, choose a breeder who:

• lets you meet the mother, and see where the puppies are raised;
• shows health results for the parents: eye exams, kneecap checks and heart checks, plus DNA tests for PRA and NAD (in the UK, the Royal Kennel Club also lists DNA tests for vWD1 and the BVA/KC/ISDS eye scheme);
• keeps puppies with their mother until they are old enough to leave, asks you questions and takes the dog back at any age if needed.

Walk away from sellers who offer “teacup” or “micro” Papillons, ship puppies sight unseen, always have puppies available or push you to pay a deposit fast. There is no teacup type of Papillon: breeding for extra-small size puts health first at risk, and these listings are a common scam.

Not sure a Papillon is the one? Compare other tiny dog breeds side by side before you decide.

Papillon FAQs