Origin
and Purpose
The first Papillons may
have been Spanish (Spaniel) or Italian. Today, both the French and the
Belgians claim the breed. Since the Renaissance, no known cross has
been used in its development although two or three other breeds probably
trace their ancestry in part to the Papillon. It is one of the oldest
purebred Toys, seen in the company of 17th and 18th century Royal children
and ladies at court in paintings of the Old Masters.
General
Appearance
The Papillon is a small,
friendly, elegant toy dog of fine-boned structure; light, dainty and
of lively action; distinguished from other breeds by its beautiful butterfly-like
ears.
Size
Ideal height at highest
point of shoulder blades, 8-11 inches (20-28 cm). Weight is in proportion
to height.
Fault
Over 11 inches (28 cm).
Coat
Abundant, long, fine, silky,
flowing, straight with resilient quality, flat on back and sides of
body. A profuse frill on chest. There is no undercoat. Hair short and
close on skull, muzzle, front of forelegs and from hind feet to hocks.
Ears well fringed with the inside covered with silken hair of medium
length. Backs of the forelegs are covered with feathers diminishing
to the pasterns. Hind legs are covered to the hocks with abundant breeches
(culottes). Tail is covered with a long flowing plume. Hair on feet
is short but fine, tufts may appear over toes and grow beyond them forming
a point.
Colour
Particolour - white with
patches of any colour. Tri-colour - black and white with tan spots over
eyes, inside the ears, on cheeks, and may have tan under root of tail.
On the head, colour other than white must cover both ears, back and
front, and extend without interruption from the ears over both eyes.
A clearly defined white blaze and nose band are preferred to a solidly
marked head. Symmetry of facial markings is desirable. The size, shape,
placement, or absence of patches on the body are without importance.
Papillons may be any particolour, provided nose, eye rims and lips are
well-pigmented black. Among the colours there is no preference.
Faults
The following faults shall
be severely penalized:
(a) Nose not black.
(b) Colour other than white
not covering both ears, back and front, or not extending from the ears
over both eyes. A slight extension of the white collar onto the base
of the ears or a few white hairs interspersed among the colour shall
not be penalized provided the butterfly appearance is not sacrificed.
Head
Small. The skull of medium
width, and slightly rounded between the ears. A well-defined stop is
formed where the muzzle joins the skull. The muzzle is fine, abruptly
thinner than the head, tapering to the nose. The length of the muzzle
from the tip of the nose to stop is approximately one-third the length
of the head from tip of nose to occiput. Nose: black, small, rounded
and slightly flat on top. Mouth: lips are tight, thin, and black Teeth
meet in a scissors bite. Tongue must not be visible when jaws are closed.
Fault: Overshot or undershot. Eyes: dark, round, not bulging, of medium
size and alert in expression. The inner corner of the eyes is on a line
with the stop. Eye rims black. Ears: the ears of either the erect or
drop type should be large with rounded tips and set on the sides and
toward the back of head. Ears of the erect type are carried obliquely
and move like the spread wings of a butterfly. When alert, each ear
forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the head. The leather
should be of sufficient strength to maintain the erect position. Ears
of the drop type, known as Phalene, are similar to the erect type but
are carried drooping and must be completely down.
Faults
Ears small, pointed, set
too high, one ear up or ears partly down, set too low.
Neck
Of medium length.
Forequarters
Shoulders well developed
and laid back to allow freedom of movement. Forelegs slender, fine-boned
and must be straight. Removal of dewclaws on forelegs optional.
Body
Must be slightly longer
than the height at withers. It is not a cobby dog. Topline straight
and level. The chest is of medium depth with well-sprung ribs. The belly
is tucked up.
Hindquarters
Well developed and well
angulated. Hocks inclined neither in nor out. The hind legs are slender,
fine-boned, and parallel when viewed from behind. Dewclaws, if any,
must be removed from hind legs.
Feet
Thin and elongated (hare-like),
pointing neither in nor out.
Tail
Long, set high and carried
well arched over the body. The plume may hang to either side of the
body. Fault: Low-set tail, one not arched over back or too short.
Gait
Free, quick, easy, graceful,
not paddle-footed, or stiff in hip movements.
Disqualifications
Height under 8 inches (20
cm) or over 12 inches (30 cm).
An all-white dog or a dog
with no white.
Top
All reputable Papillon breeders
strive to meet this ideal Papillon standard with the pups they produce.
However it is of utmost importance that every pup produced is happy,
healthy, and sound this should be every Papillon breeders goal.
