The Papillon (also known as the "Butterfly Dog") is a toy breed. They feature distinctive butterfly-shaped ears and a white coat with patches of brown, black or red. It was during the 13th century the breed is thought to have existed and providing companionship for French royalty is the reason they were originally used for. In the modern day they are popular as a companion dog for fun loving owners. Attributes such as their playful temperament and famously-shaped ears are things they can be identified by. The breed is assumed to have been created in France and are a descendant of the Continental Dwarf Spaniel.

They are classified as a tiny sized dog. The appropriate female dimensions are 7-9 pounds with a height of 8-11 inches, whereas the male dimensions are 8-10 pounds with a height of 8-11 inches. The breed is well-known for their happy, obedient and playful character. They can be unsuitable as a guard dog, as along with their size they are typically friendly with strangers. Compared to all other dogs, they are known to be highly smart, and rank 8th when being taught new commands.

They're fairly suitable as a family pet, since they're playful towards kids. Other animals like cats and other dogs that are a similar size to become good playmates with do live peacefully with them. Looking after their coat is a fairly easy task. They require small brushing every few days, and full grooming once every 6 to 8 weeks. They enjoy having a good yard so they have plenty of space, but won't be suited for being kept in an apartment.

Like a good number of tiny sized dogs, they are for the most part very long-lived and have an expected life of 14-18 years. They can be vulnerable to PRA and luxating patella, but their major health risk is broken bones and injuries. They love things like running around the park, play sessions or learning tricks. To prevent bad behavior, they demand short walks each day owing to their high level of energy.

You ought to be willing to give them a lot of attention and mental challenges if you choose the Papillon. They're not an ideal option for families with young children, but a good choice for active owners or families with older children. Perhaps the most significant reason dog lovers find this breed so appealing is it can be taught almost anything because of its happy, playful nature and high intelligence.