About Papillon Dogs

Papillon dogs are a small toy dog that has been in existence for almost 700 years.  They were originally bred in Europe and were given their French name, which means “butterfly”, due to the fact that their erect ears have a butterfly-like appearance.  They have always been a well-loved and popular companion.  They are prized for their alertness, watch-dog abilities, competitive obedience and agility.

A papillon is a fantastic companion and is quite Read more

Papillon Dogs And Their Uses

Papillon dogs have been bred for centuries for human companionship and as a result they have proven to be an excellent service dog.  Papillons are often used to provide many different types of services to those who are in need for extra care and support.  This is because the breed is not only exceptionally alert and intelligent, they also possesses an important asset that is required to do such a job – They enjoy spending most of their time with their owner and can establish the ultimate human-animal bond.

What type of work can papillon dogs perform?  The following are some of the more common tasks they excel at:

Mobility service dog – Trained to assist people with physical disabilities, which may include – but are not limited to – paraplegia, cerebral palsy, arthritis, etc.  Though only a small pooch, papillions can help these individuals with everyday chores, such as making beds, and can provide assistance by picking up dropped objects, tugging clothes from the body, shutting off alarm clocks, fetching ringing telephones, pressing elevator buttons, opening and closing doors and so on.

Seizure alert dog – Papillon dogs taught this task alert their owner to an imminent crisis and know how to effectively respond.  Based on the canine’s reactions the owner, who suffers from a brain disorder (I.E. Epilepsy), can then move to a safer area prior to a seizure.  These animals also know how to seek help if needed.

Signal dog – This type of four-legged wonder has learned how to alert their deaf or hearing impaired owner to different sounds and take them to the sound source.  Sources might include a person calling the owner’s name, a smoke detector, a crying baby, a ringing telephone, the alarm clock, etc.

Psychiatric support dog – Some people are plagued with psychological conditions that cause them to suffer fear of social situations, such as panic disorder or agoraphobia (fear of open or public places).  Normally, these individuals are unable to go out into public alone but trained papillon dogs may be able to help control their fears by traveling with them.

Keep in mind that not all papillon dogs have the aptitude to become service dogs.  Thus, if you are interested in obtaining a papillion for assistance, you should know that you will need to find organizations that breed and/or train them for this job.

How To Answer The Questions Of Papillon Breeders?

You will need to find papillon breeders if you are thinking of obtaining a pure-bred puppy as a pet or are considering showing a dog or entering into professional competitions.  This is because you will need the necessary papers to prove their authenticity.  While there is more than one breeder you can choose from, not all of them are trustworthy.  This is why you need to find someone who is not only willing to answer your inquiries and prove their integrity and good reputation, but who is also interested in finding out more about you.

To get a better idea of what you are all about, professional papillon breeders will ask you questions.  What type of questions?  The following are examples of some common queries: Read more