The Papillon is one of the oldest toy breeds, and is thought to have originated in the 16th century. Papillons are most well known for their “butterfly” ears, which are characterized by having long, wispy hairs that resemble butterfly wings. They also have a long, silky coat all over, but because they don’t have a thick undercoat, they usually only need to be brushed once a week or once every other week to ensure their coat doesn’t get matted.
Being a toy breed, Papillons are small dogs, weighing around 4-8 pounds as adults. Don’t let their size fool you though, these tiny dogs have a lot of energy and require daily exercise in the form of walks, toy play, or time out in the yard. In fact, Papillons are often very competitive in dog sports, including agility, and are often well represented at National competitions.
In addition to having a lot of energy, Papillons are smart dogs that love to be around their people, which makes them excellent dogs for active families that might not have the outdoor space for larger dogs.
