Papillon Puppy?
September 11, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I am pretty sure I am adopting a papillon, ..so I was wondering what is the best age to adopt at.. I am looking for a puppy, but i do not want to have trouble training them. Should I adopt my papillon after it has already been trained? or will it be easy to train a papillon?
any other information would be great about papillons. i already researched a lot, but extra info is always good.. thanks so much!
Related Papillon Training & Care posts:
The absolute minimum age any breed should leave it’s mother and litter mates is 8 weeks. Toy breeds are almost always kept longer, 12 weeks.
12 weeks is the minimum age you should get a papillon. Anything over 12 weeks is fine. There isn’t a “too old” age.
During this time period, puppies are still learning from their mother and each other about social interactions, pack behavior, bite inhibition, etc.. And it makes for more well-adjusted dogs when they are adults.
Here is an article that overviews puppy development:http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/pup-dev.pdf
Below is my collection of information on papillons, from temperament to grooming to where to get one.
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WHAT ARE THEY LIKE?
Papillons are great little dogs, I adore them. They are the perfect dog for me, but they aren’t for everyone.
*** If you want a calm lapdog or a cuddly dog, do NOT get a papillon. It will not be a good fit for you. ***
Top 10 reasons why NOT to get a papillon:http://pap911.rescuegroups.org/info/disp…
‘Good’ versus ‘Bad’ traits:http://www.papilloninformation.com/overv…
Papillons have very friendly, adventurous temperaments. From the AKC breed description, “Happy, alert and friendly. Neither shy nor aggressive.”http://www.akc.org/breeds/papillon/
Papillons are very intelligent (sometimes too much so for their own good!). They are in the top 10 most intelligent dogs breeds.http://petrix.com/dogint/1-10.html
One of the “most trainable toy breeds”.http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews…
They come in a rainbow of colors to choose from:http://www.braylorspapillons.com/colors.…http://www.papilloninformation.com/tour.…
And they stay small. The breed standard calls for dogs 8-11 inches. (Over 12 inches is a disqualification from the show ring. Over 11 inches is a fault in the show ring.)http://www.akc.org/breeds/papillon
They are a very demanding and dependent dog. They may not like to cuddle, but they like to be around you and they LOVE to play. Paps will literally come up and launch one of their toys at your face to get you to play with them.
They are also tricksters and will find ways to try to manipulate their owners. If they aren’t supposed to have something, they’ll try to make it look like they have one of their toys and hide the “forbidden object” behind it.
My pap also tricked my parents poodle when I was dog-sitting for them a few months ago. She would run to the door and bark so the poodle would drop the toy it had to check out what the commotion was about, then my pap would run back and steal the dropped toy.
Papillons NEED to be stimulated. They are not dogs that can be left to their own means. They need training and thrive when they have a “job”, such as obedience or agility. (If you want to get into agility, they are the top choice in their height category. They can even beat border collie times on some courses, but due to size difference, they will never be competing against border collies.)
Also be aware that they are athletic dogs and can achieve things you wouldn’t normally think a dog that size can. For example, my papillon can jump high enough to steal things off the kitchen counter. She can jump at least 4 feet into the air.
Papillons do and will bark. They are a vocal breed and are alarm barkers so if they hear something, or if anything seems out of place, they see it as their job to alert you to it. (I have found the “thank” method works best for handling barking. When the dog barks, call it to you and say “thank you”, then give the dog a treat or praise. It will eventually learn to only bark a couple times to alert you, then it will stop barking come to you for it’s reward.)
Papillons come in 2 varieties, the “butterfly” (papillon) and the “moth” (phalene).http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/bre…
(Of course, every dog is different. You may find a papillon that is calmer than average, or one that is less vocal than average, etc.. This is just the ‘general’ information on them.)
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GROOMING
Paps require regular grooming, but it’s not extensive.
In addition to the regular dog stuff (clip nails, brush teeth, etc), they need brushed a couple times a week. Also, the hair between the pads on their feet gets long, so that needs trimmed, which I do monthly. I use a bristle-brush on the fur.
Here are some links about grooming papillons (some are about show-grooming, so you may not need all of the information given):
- http://www.papillonclub.org/Education/gr…
- http://www.papillonclub.org/papinfomain.…
- http://showpaps.com/grooming.htm
- http://www.braylorspapillons.com/groom.h…
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WHERE TO GET ONE?
If you are wanting to get a puppy from a breeder, check out the following link:
- http://www.papillonclub.org/pcabreedersl…
Or find a reputable breeder by attending some dog shows and agility competitions. You will find papillons in both places and can get some good recommendations for quality breeders from there.
Papillons are starting to show up more commonly in puppymills, so be wary and make sure you are getting one from a reputable breeder.
Here are some helpful links for identifying good versus bad breeders.
- http://www.wonderpuppy.net/breeding.htm
- http://www.braylorspapillons.com/breeder…
- http://www.showpaps.com/papsearch.htm
If you are okay with getting an older dog (which can have it’s benefits, like it’s already housebroken, already done teething, likely has some training, etc.), then you may be able to get a dog from one of the following papillon rescues:
- http://www.papillonclub.org/rescue/
- http://www.paphaven.org/
- http://www.pap911rescue.org/
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COST?
A papillon from a reputable breeder will be typically be no cheaper than $750. I’ve found prices are usually closer to $1000-$1600 for a pet. (Although I’ve seen pet-quality puppies as cheap as $450 and as expensive as over $2000.) Females tend to be pricier than males.
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SOME BOOKS ON PAPILLONS
“The Complete Papillon” (I highly recommend this book.) – http://www.amazon.com/COMPLETE-PAPILLON-…
“A New Owner’s Guide to Papillons” – http://www.amazon.com/New-Owners-Guide-P…
“Papillons” – http://www.amazon.com/Papillions-Complet…
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Hi! Please do not adopt any puppy under 10 wks old unless you are better equipped knowledge wise to take care of the puppy than the person you are buying it from. Some people sell “started” puppies. That means they are 100 % weaned, started on socilization training with people, introduction to riding in cars and/or trucks, introduced to other pets or animals, intentionally exposed to every day noises and distractions, and already started house training. Sometimes it cost a little more, some times not. It wouldn’t hurt to ask the breeder, or person, you are buying from if they have a started puppy. Our puppies are started puppies…not to make life easier for the new family, but to make the transition of going to a new home easier and less stressful for the puppy. It is not easy, so it it cost a reasonalble amount more…go for it. You won’t be sorry. Good luck.
My husband & I just added a Papillon puppy to our family this past Monday. He is 9 weeks old. (Note: He came to us with no previous training whatsoever). However, training him, so far, has been a breeze (actually easier than my other 2 dogs). We have 2 Chihuahua’s as well. One is 4 years young and the other one is 3 years young (we have had both of our Chihuahua’s since they were 8 weeks, and we trained both as well). Our Papillon has learned to do his “business”, as I like to call it, outside by watching my other 2 dogs. Even though it has been only 4 days, he has only urinated in the house twice and both times happened on his first day in our home. We have always had a strict routine schedule, which consists walking them 3 times daily – 6:15am, 6:00pm, and 10:00pm. I should also add, as a young pup, they do get into a lot of mischief, even though it’s very cute, this can become a bad habit. So a VERY stern “NO” works well. I am finding our little one adjusting to his new home very well and loves his new brothers. We are so glad that we added this precious one to our family. I wish you the best and hope you have fun with yours.
get it when it is a puppy
puppies are not hard to train
i would get the dog at 6 weeks old
u will need to get it his shots
and if it is a she it would be a good idea
to get it spayed at a young age the more they
weigh the more it cost to get it done
no dog is easy to train but if you get him 7 weeks or so is good cause they learn you and are very close to you and you can train them.
their eas of training is 5/5
AKC Ranking: 36
Family: spitz, spaniel, companion
Area of Origin: France
Date of Origin: 1500s
Original Function: lap dog
Today’s Function: companion
Avg Size of male: Height: 8-11 Weight: 4-9
Avg Size of Female: Height: 8-11 Weight: 4-9
Other Name: epagneul nain (phalene is also known as Continental toy spaniel)
History
The name papillon is French for butterfly, which the face and ears of this sprightly little dog should resemble. The papillon has its roots in the dwarf spaniels that were so popular throughout Europe from at least the 16th century. These little dogs were extremely popular with the nobility; as time went on, Spain and Italy became the centers of dwarf-spaniel breeding and trading. The court of Louis XIV of France was particularly fond of papillons and imported many of them. At one time the papillon was known as the squirrel spaniel because it carried its plumed tail over its back in the same way a squirrel does. These early dogs had drooping ears, but through some unknown event, some dogs sported erect ears. Both drop- and erect-eared papillons could be found in the same litter. Even today both ear types are equally correct, although the erect-eared dog is much more popular. In America, the drop-eared pap is known as the phalene, which is French for moth, whereas in Europe it is called the epagneul nain or Continental toy spaniel. By 1900, the papillon was well-represented at French dog shows and soon afterward was being shown in England and America. These earlier exhibits tended to be larger than those seen today, and featured mostly solid-colored dogs, usually of some shade of red. Selective breeding has resulted in a smaller dog that is distinguished by its striking colors broken by patches of white. A symmetrically marked face with white blaze adds to the butterfly appearance. The papillon has become one of the more popular toy dogs, functioning equally well as a loving pet, beautiful show dog and adept obedience competitor.
Temperament
One of the most obedient and responsive of the toy breeds, the vivacious papillon is also gentle, amiable and playful. It is friendly toward strangers, other dogs and pets and is very good with children. Some can be timid.
Upkeep
The lively papillon thrives on mental stimulation, and it enjoys a daily walk on leash as well as challenging games indoors or out. This is not a breed that can live outdoors. Its coat needs brushing twice weekly.
Health
• Major concerns: none
• Minor concerns: PRA, patellar luxation
• Occasionally seen: none
• Suggested tests: knee, eye
• Life span: 12 – 15 years
Form and Function
The papillon is a small, dainty, elegant dog of fine-boned structure, slightly longer than it is tall. Its gait is quick, easy and graceful. Its abundant coat is long, silky, straight and flowing. Its hallmark characteristic, besides its friendly temperament and alert expression, is its butterfly ears.
COURTNEY-you cannot get an animal at 6 wks it has to be at least 8 wks