Papillon: The Butterfly

The Papillon breed originated from France, that's why the given name for this pooch is a French term. When translated into English, it means “butterfly” - a very beautiful flying insect with intricate designs of silk-like beauty. This happens to be very descriptive of this dog, because clearly both specimens are nice to look at. The coat of a Papillon is long and silky, coming in the color white with patches of other colors such as black, red, tan or even orange. Sounds like a butterfly, doesn't it? They too are small, weighing anywhere from 9 to 10 pounds, and standing from 8 to 11 inches. The character of a Papillon is very friendly (with most humans), affectionate, and independent. These are animals of very high intelligence, which makes dog training easy, something which isn't common to all breeds. Playing with the owners and family is something it loves – it has loads of stamina that's just waiting to be used for physical activities. Do not underestimate the capabilities of this dog; it's small but can endure some things that you wouldn't think it's capable of. Whether it's walking, jogging, or taking light runs, expect it to be game. One behavioral problem you may have with the Papillon is being overprotective and possessive. This small pet has the tendency to keep what belongs to it to itself. Sharing can be a problem, especially if you have another pet in the house. Another one would be the attention you render it – if it isn't enough or if it notices you giving more time to another individual, it'll get jealous; which could make way for more behavioral problems. Being overprotective can cause it to doubt the intentions of friends and other visitors. It'll respond to that by barking non-stop. Not to worry though, with proper training all of these problems can be fixed, regardless of its age – though it is preferable that you start while it's still a pup, so that teaching and disciplining it won't be so hard. If you play your cards right, you'll be able to make a fantastic watch dog, which would bark at the presence of any strangers and stop at your command. Proper raising of a Papillon includes socialization – have it get acquainted thoroughly with other pets and humans alike. This is very important for this breed; if this isn't done your pet will get into constant dog fights and bark at every sound it hears or any unfamiliar sight. So for your own sake and the safety of your pet, socialize. The compact build makes this pooch ideal for indoor living. Its fur is long, but surprisingly doesn't shed that much. Dog grooming would only require daily brushing and bathing once a week – it's that easy. Because of its instinctive behavior, it's not recommended for apartment living, unless you have completely eliminated the barking problems. When outdoors, be sure to keep a leash and collar on it – it does have the tendency to run uncontrollably, primarily when it has been cooped up in the house for a long time. With that in mind, having sturdy fences put up around the property will be needed to keep it from running off.