Papillon
A butterfly-eared athlete in a toy body.
- Weight
- 5–10 lbs
- Height
- 8–11 in
- Lifespan
- 14–16 yrs
In short
The Papillon is a Toy breed from France and Belgium, descended from the dwarf spaniels seen in Renaissance portraits, weighing 5–10 lbs and living 14–16 years. Owners should know it is a fast, clever athlete in a fragile frame: it thrives on training and sports, but falls and jumps from furniture can break its fine legs.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a small dog that loves training and sports
- live in an apartment
- want a long-lived companion
Think twice if you…
- have toddlers
- want a dog that's content to sit around
- have large, rough-playing dogs
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 45–60 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 20–35 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study9.0/10
EnergyAthlete8.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10
SheddingModerate shedder4.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Butterfly ears
'Papillon' is French for butterfly, after the large, fringed, upright ears; the drop-eared version is called the Phalène.
-
02
Fine-boned frame
Papillons are sturdier than they look but still small enough to be hurt by falls, rough play or being stepped on.
-
03
Athlete's brain
They are among the top toy breeds in obedience and agility and learn new skills quickly.
Size & coat
| Weight | 5–10 lbs | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 8–11 in | |
| Lifespan | 14–16 yrs | |
| Coat | Long, silky single coat with fringed ears and a plumed tail | |
Personality
Papillons are bright, busy and friendly, more like a tiny working dog than a lap ornament. They love to learn and are happiest with a job. They can be bold with bigger dogs, which can get them hurt.
With kids
Good with gentle, older kids; toddlers can injure them easily.
With other pets
Usually friendly with dogs and cats, but they can pick fights with big dogs. Small pets may be chased.
With strangers
Usually friendly; some are reserved or yappy with strangers.
Alone time
Copes with moderate alone time if exercised and given puzzles, but prefers company.
Training
Papillons learn very quickly and love to perform for food and praise. Short, varied sessions keep their sharp minds busy.
-
How often
Two or three short sessions a day, 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, focus on confidence around people and calm, safe meetings with bigger dogs, plus daily handling.
-
Self-control
Teach a solid recall and a calm 'wait' at doors and stairs. Teach them to use ramps instead of jumping off furniture.
-
What it works for
Most are food- and praise-motivated. Use tiny, high-value pieces kept within 10% of daily calories; for a toy dog that budget is small, so break treats into crumbs.
Exercise
Papillons enjoy fast, playful exercise and dog sports more than long slogs. A few short outings plus training games usually satisfy them.
Exercise a day
45–60 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Agility
- Brisk walks
- Fetch in a safe area
Brain work
- Trick training
- Scent work
- Food puzzles
Best home
Excellent for apartments with daily outings and play.
Watch for Prevent falls and jumps from furniture and arms; small bones break easily, and the kneecaps can slip.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Papillon (5–10 lbs) lands around 200–350 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 250–425 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 25–45 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–2 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 200–350 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 20–35 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–2 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 275–475 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 30–50 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–2 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 175–300 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 20–30 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–2 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 250–425 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 25–45 kcal | 1–2 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 200–350 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 20–35 kcal | 1–2 pieces |
| Active / Working | 275–475 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 30–50 kcal | 1–2 pieces |
| Senior | 175–300 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 20–30 kcal | 1–2 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Papillons are generally long-lived but can have luxating kneecaps, eye disease and dental problems. Daily tooth brushing and keeping them lean help most.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Patellar luxation | OFA patella evaluation | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
| Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA1) | PRA1 DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Heart disease | Cardiac exam by a veterinarian | Once, in breeding dogs |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Papillon breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Kneecap (patella) check
- One elective test from the breed club list
Grooming Low to moderate year-round; no undercoat
Brush 2–3 times a week, focusing on ear fringes and behind the ears. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, keep the fur between paw pads short, and brush teeth daily, since small mouths crowd teeth.
History
1500s–1600s
Dwarf spaniels
Toy spaniels with drop ears appeared in portraits by Renaissance painters such as Titian and were favored at European courts.
1800s
The butterfly ear
Breeders in France and Belgium developed the upright-eared type, which became known as the Papillon.
1915
AKC recognition
The AKC recognized the Papillon in 1915, and the breed has since become a standout in obedience and agility.
Questions owners ask
Are Papillons easy to train?
Yes. Papillons are among the most trainable toy breeds and love to learn. Short, upbeat sessions work best.
Are Papillons good with kids and other pets?
Usually, with care. They do well with gentle older kids and friendly pets, but toddlers and big dogs can injure them.
How much exercise does a Papillon need?
About 45–60 minutes a day, including walks, play and training games.
Do Papillons shed?
Yes, lightly. With no undercoat, shedding is modest; brush 2–3 times a week.
What health problems do Papillons have, and how long do they live?
Luxating kneecaps, eye disease and dental problems are the main concerns. They typically live 14–16 years.
Is a Papillon good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes to both. Papillons are excellent apartment dogs and suit first-time owners who want an active, trainable small dog.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Papillon needs only 1–2 pieces a day, well inside the 20–35 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Papillon ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Papillon
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
