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==========
Papillon
FAQ
Author
This is the second
draft edition of the Papillon FAQ. Many thanks to
those who
provided encouragement and additional information. I am
especially grateful to Shirley Varmette, Sue James, Ed and Diana
Fuchs, Tracy Burdick, Cindy Tittle Moore, and the Papillon-L list
and
SmlDog-L list participants for their contributions. Any
errors are
both unintentional and mine. Suggestions, additions,
corrections can
be sent to me anytime at: bmiller@boisestate.edu. All rights
reserved.
However permission is expressly provided for rescue
groups and animal
shelters to make copies for educational
purposes, as long as the
copyright statement is app
ended.
Copyright 1996-1999 by Beverly
Miller
_________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
* History
* Papillons
Today
* Characteristics
* Health Considerations
* Acquiring a Pet
Papillon
* AKC Standard
* Information Sources
+ Books
+
Articles
+
Periodicals
+
Gifts
+
Clubs
+ Rescue
Contacts
+ Online
Resources
_____________________________________________________________
History
Papillons (pah-pee-yowns)
descend from the Royal Toy Spaniels of
Europe. Although the breed's origins are subject to debate
(Italy,
Belgium, France and Spain are
the leading contenders, but a few
argue
for Asia or Latin America), the little spaniels
were
well-established as continental
court favorites by the
Renaissance. They
appear in European art as early as the
1300's,
and portraits by many of the
Grand Masters (e.g. Rubens, Watteau,
Fragonard, and Boucher) often include a Papillon or two.
Madame
Pompadour and Marie Antoinette of
France, Queen Sophia Dorothea of
Germany, and Queen Ann of Austria are among the
aristocratic
ladies that allegedly owned
Papillons. However, royal men also
doted
on these elegant little dogs: France's King Henry III
is
said to have carried his to court in
a basket!
Papillons have not always been
called Papillons. Over the years,
they
have been known as Epagneuls Nains, Dwarf or
Continental
Spaniels, Little Squirrel
Dogs or Belgian Toy Spaniels. Throughout
most of their history Papillons had drop ears, making
their
Spaniel ancestry more obvious. The
erect eared Papillon now
popular in the
United States seems to be a mutation dating
from
the late 1800's. In some European
countries, the name Papillon
(French for
"butterfly") is reserved for this erect-eared
dog,
while the earlier variety, the
drop-eared Phalene ("night moth")
is
regarded as a separate breed. In the U.S. and U.K.,
however,
the two are considered
varieties of the same breed, and are
shown
together.
Another relatively recent
change has to do with color. Early
Papillons were often solid-colored. Today they are
predominantly
white (parti-colored) dogs
with colored markings. The AKC
registers
Paps as white and black, white and lemon, white and
red,
white and sable, or tri-color
(white, black and tan). Other
once-common colors such as liver are now seldom in
evidence.
Despite their great popularity
among the landed and titled of
Europe,
English-speaking peoples were slow to embrace
the
Papillon. They were introduced to
Britain around 1905. However,
the
Papillon that would become the first English champion was
not
born until 1922, and it would be two
more years before British
fanciers
formed the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club. The breed
was
also shown in the U.S. for some
years before the Papillon Club of
America (PCA) was founded in 1935. Here progress was even
more
delayed. PCA held its first
specialty show in 1936, but the club
subsequently faltered. Although it was reactivated in 1948,
the
second specialty was not held until
1954.
_____________________________________________________________
Papillons
Today
Papillons continue to be among the
less popular breeds in North
America. In
the U.S. however, Papillon production has
been
increasing in recent years, in
contrast to American purebreds
overall.
In 1995, AKC registrations for Paps totaled
2,592,
putting them 52nd among
AKC-recognized breeds. By 1998, Pap
registrations had risen to 3,205 and the breed ranked
47th.
Current litter registration data
from AKC suggest that Pap
popularity
will continue to increase, along with that of
other
several other small
breeds.
In 1999, for the first time, a
Papillon , Ch. Loteki Supernatural
Being, won Best in Show -- and many hearts -- at the
Westminster
Kennel Club show. "Kirby,"
who is the winningest dog in breed
history, also won the World Dog Show in Helsinki Finland, and
the
Royal Invitational in Canada in
1998, making him a "triple sweep"
in the
world of show dogs, and attracting many new admirers of
the
breed.
In addition to being relatively
rare (or perhaps because of it),
the
Papillon population is unevenly distributed around the
U.S.,
with Pap breeders clustered in
urban areas (especially in the
East) and
pockets of enthusiasts in other regions. This,
along
with the Pap's dainty appearance,
diminutive size, and great
trainability,
probably accounts for their reputation as an
ideal
city dog. However, many regard the
Pap as a "big dog in a small
dog's
body." Papillons compete successfully with the larger
dogs
in obedience, agility, tracking,
and even herding. They are the
top-ranked of all toy breeds in several sports, and CH and
OTCH
Loteki Sudden Impulse, UDX, TDX, MX
has the distinction of being
the most
AKC-titled dog of any breed [CH=Champion;
OTCH=Obedience
Trial Champion;
UDX=Utility Dog Excellent, the highest
obedience
title currently offered;
TDX=Tracking Dog Excellent; MX= Master
Agility Excellent, the highest Agility title currently
offered].
Paps are often trained to work
as therapy dogs, and are
increasingly
used as assistance dogs.
One result of
the Pap's relative scarcity is that while some
parts
of the country offer a lively Pap
scene--with specialty clubs and
many
activities---in other areas, show entries may
be
disappointing and the selection of
breeders from which to chose
extremely
limited. There are some sections of the U.S. in
which
there are no Pap breeders for
hundreds of miles in any direction.
As a
result, some have suggested, regional interpretations of
the
Papillon Standard have evolved. In
some parts of the U.S., larger
Papillons
(i.e. closer to the maximum of 12") are popular in
the
show ring, but these bigger Paps are
said to be penalized by
judges
elsewhere. This could pose a particular challenge for
the
uninitiated person in search of show
or breeding stock. Anyone
with such
ambitions needs to invest many months studying
the
breed, becoming acquainted with the
Paps from various lines, and
learning
from experienced breeders.
_____________________________________________________________
Characteristics
The Papillon is a small,
fine-boned dog that competes in AKC's
Toy
Group. The average show Pap stands
between 8-11" tall at the
shoulder, and
weighs 3-9 lbs. However, pet Papillons may
be
smaller or larger than this show
ideal. This in no way affects
their
temperament or value as a companion.
Papillons have much to recommend them as pets. Because of
their
size, they are easily managed.
Their soft, glossy coats require
little
grooming, save regular attention to ear fringe. As they
are
not double-coated, there is no big
seasonal shed. Paps typically
donot
suffer from doggie odor. They adapt equally well to
close
quarters and country life. While
they are indoors dogs without
substantial exercise requirements, Paps enjoy the outdoors,
and
fancy themselves great hunters of
birds, squirrels, spiders, even
butterflies! Some are also mousers. Paps usually travel well,
and
because their crates fit neatly
under airplane seats, they are
often
spared the trials of the cargo hold.
Most Papillons are outgoing happy dogs who love to meet
people,
sit in laps, and give "kisses".
They do not have a reputation for
being
high-strung, nervous or fearf ul. They generally show
great
enthusiasm for children, cats, and
other dogs, if they are raised
wi th
them. However, Paps may be possessive and bossy with
other
(sometimes larger) dogs, and a Pap
in motion may even appear as
prey to
some dogs. Responsible owners will always remain alert t
o
the problems inherent in such
situations. Many Paps seem not to
realize that they are vulnerable because of their size. They
are
great jumpers, and puppies
particularly must be prevented from
trying to leap tall buildings. Paps also must be protected
from
rough handling by children, and an
active Pap pup can easily
escape a
youngster's arms and land in a way that could break a
leg
or worse. For these reasons, some
breeders are reluctant to place
their
pups in homes where children may be too young to
appreciate
the fragility of a tiny
pup.
Papillons are attractive, amusing,
and merry companions, and with
their
keen intelligence and desire to please, they can be
readily
trained to household routines.
Some Paps like to bark, and as with
other small breeds, house-training may take longer than for
a
larger dog. Obedience training is
recommended for all pet Paps, as
it can
be invaluable in overcoming any stubbornness and
in
counteracting the natural tendency to
spoil such a charming family
member.
Because of the sizes and types of dogs found in some
dog
training classes, small dog owners
may be reluctant to involve
their pets
in such activities. Ask your breeder, veterinarian
or
dog club for references to
responsible trainers, and visit several
to watch them work. You are looking for an experienced person
who
uses positive reinforcement to
train, and does not permit
out-of-control dogs in their classes. You can also train
privately
(in individual classes) or at
home. Books on dog obedience written
by
knowledgeable Pap people are listed in the bibliography
section
below.
New Papillon owners need to
carefully review the security of their
premises. No matter how snug fencing appears to be, there
are
often small spaces between fencing
and posts, gates and buildings,
or under
the fence, through which an active and curious pup may
be
tempted to seek
adventure.
_____________________________________________________________
Health
considerations
Papillons are known as a
healthy and long-lived breed. Most
remain
active and youthful well into
their teens. Although they have few
hereditary/congenital diseases, problems common to small
dogs
(such as patellar luxation, "open"
fontanels, and bite or palate
defects)
do occur. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), a
hereditary
eye disease that affects many
breeds, has recently been found in
Paps.
Conscientious breeders now have their breeding stock
tested
for PRA, and registered with CERF
(the Canine Eye Research
Foundation).
The Papillon Club of America has received
much
positive recognition for its
efforts at halting this problem while
it
is still rare in the breed.
Papillons
are among the more anesthetic-sensitive breeds,
and
owners should always discuss this
with their veterinarians before
scheduling surgery or dental procedures. Use of the newer
safer
(albeit more expensive)
anesthetics such as isoflurane is
strongly
recomm
ended.
_____________________________________________________________
Acquiring a Pet
Papillon
The uneven distribution of
Papillon breeders can present major
challenges for those who want to acquire a pet puppy. In
areas
where demand exceeds supply, and
particularly in those parts of
the
country where there are no Pap breeders, pet prospects can
be
few and far between. However, some
breeders will ship puppies to
new homes
in adjacent states (expenses always borne by the
buyer).
This process is often
facilitated by use of videotapes to show
off
the puppy, its litter mates, sire,
dam, and even the breeder and
their home
or kennel. The breeder lists published by national
or
regional breed clubs are generally
the best avenue to locating a
responsible breeder. Many breeders also participate in the
E-mail
Papillon List on the internet,
and if you join, you will find many
helpful folks who can often refer you. (Papillon Club of
America
and Papillon-List addresses are
listed below). Other sources
include
referrals by local AKC- affiliated all-breed or
obedience
dog clubs, and the classified
sections of fanciers' magazines such
as
the AKC Gazette. There are also some breeders now listed on
the
internet (see the section below on
Online Resources). Remember
that all
advertising is promotional in nature, and a
truly
dedicated breeder will be
delighted, not offended, if you ask for
references (names of others to whom s/he has sold
pets).
The wise pet-buyer will
concentrate on getting a healthy, happy
dog with a temperament suitable for their situation. Try to
remain
flexible regarding size, sex,
color, and even age. Finding the
right
match is much more important. Don't be impatient. Many
Pap
breeders have long waiting lists,
and the dog of your dreams won't
be on
your doorstep next week. Serious, seasoned breeders
(you
don't want to deal with any other
kind) will ask many questions,
and
expect to see references from you before agreeing to part
with
one of their dogs. Informed
consumers will not be offended,
knowing
the breeder to truly avoid is the one only interested
in
making a
sale!
Pet Papillons should always be
spayed or neutered. Having pets
"fixed"
while young provides many health benefits, and results
in
lower vet bills and longer lives. The
behavior and convenience
advantages of
spaying/neutering are also well-known.
Moreover,
there are unusual risks,
responsibilities, and expenses involved
in breeding toy dogs. This is a job better left to those
who
really know what they're
doing!
No matter how badly you want a
Papillon, or how scarce they are in
your
area, do not purchase one from a pet shop, commercial
kennel,
or supplier. The little dogs
these businesses deal in have
typically
been bred and raised under deplorable conditions
on
commercial puppy farms. The pup in
the pet-shop window has been
taken from
its dam too young, so that it can be
shipped
cross-country and put on display
at its most appealing age. Such a
pup
cannot have been properly socialized and its sire and dam
have
likely never been seen by a vet.
They certainly have never been
tested
for PRA or other problems, and are too often depleted
by
constant breeding. The pups may not
only be incubating infectious
diseases,
and subject to lifelong stress-related disorders,
but
carrying genes for one or more of
the hereditary defects to which
our
modern dogs are prone. "Rescuing" such a pup by buying it
only
perpetuates the cycle. You would be
far better off getting a pup
of your
second choice breed from a reputable breeder, who will
be
there to provide counsel, support and
assistance throughout the
life of the
dog, than to invite heartbreak and huge bills
later
on.
_____________________________________________________________
AKC
Standard
The Standard is the physical
"blueprint" of the breed. It
describes
the physical appearance and other desired qualities
of
the breed otherwise known as type.
Some characteristics, such as
size, coat
quality, and movement, are based on the original
(or
current) function for the dog. Other
characteristics are more
cosmetic such
as eye color; but taken together they set this
breed
apart from all others. The
Standard describes an ideal
representative of the breed. No individual dog is perfect, but
the
Standard provides an ideal for the
breeder to strive for.
The various
national/international dog organizations (AKC,
the
Kennel Club (of England), Canadian
Kennel Club, etc) maintain a
written
Standard for each officially recognized breed.
Standards
for any given breed will vary
somewhat from one organization to
the
next. Copies of the standards may be found in the
publications
listed below, or from the
club in question. AKC Standards are
accessible from the AKC homepage. URL is http://www.akc.org/
_____________________________________________________________
Information
Sources
Books
* Avebury,
Diana. Zelda and the Corgis. UK: Piccadilly Press,
1964.
The adventures of Zelda Papillon
and her three companions in
London.
* Christiansen, Runa. Papillon. Copenhagen:
Clausen Boger, 1976.
* Cecil, Barbara D. and
Gerianne Darnell. Competitive Obedience
Training for the Small Dog. Council Bluffs IA: T9E
Publishing,
1994. Highly-recommended
obedience book by two prominent Pap
trainers.
* Gauss, Mrs. D. Christian. How to Raise
and Train a Papillon. 1964.
* Gauss, Mrs. D.
Christian. The Papillon. Neptune City NJ:
TFH
Publications, 1991. TFH books are
intended for sale in pet stores.
Although they contain interesting breed histories and
are
attractively illustrated, books in
this series often weave
advertisements
for name-brand pet supplies into the text,
and
sometimes offer questionable advice
about breeding your pet and/or
buying
pups from pet shops, practices which are not endorsed
by
dog clubs, responsible fanciers, or
the author of this FAQ.
* "Herself" Gertrude.
1974.
* Hill, Lore. Pap Sketchbook 1986? Collector's
item, now out of
print.
* Hill, Lore. Pap Agility Rulebook 1996.
Available from the
author/artist.
Delightfully illustrated tongue-in-cheek
"rule
book" for creative Papillons
(Aren't they all?) Write Lore Hill at
3209 SE 33rd Ct, Ocala FL 34471
* Houtart, Albert.
Les Epagneuls nains Continentaux.
Brussells:
Chasse & Peche,
1925.
* Millot, Albert. L'Epagneul Nain Continental.
France, 1974.
* Newton, Virginia. Papillon Primer.
Papillon Club of America, 1985.
Highly
recommended introduction for the first-time
pet-owner.
* Papillon Club of America, Inc.
Illustrated Papillon Standard. For
pricing/availability information, contact Sandra Schumacher,
4209
Jefferson Ct, Great Falls MT
59405.
* Papillon Club of America, Inc. The Pap Talk
Scrapbook, compilation
of popular
articles from the club's monthly newsletter,
"Pap
Talk". Now out of
print.
* Papillon Club of America, Inc. Papillons,
an introductory
brochure, no longer in
print.
* Papillon Club of America, Inc. Papillon
Club of America Five-Year
Handbook,
1986-1990; and the Illustrated Papillon Standard.
For
pricing/availability information,
contact Sandra Schumacher, 4209
Jefferson Ct, Great Falls MT 59405.
* Papillon Club
of America, Inc. Papillon Club of America
Five-Year
Handbook, 1991-1995; and the
Illustrated Papillon Standard. For
pricing/availability information, contact Sandra Schumacher,
4209
Jefferson Ct, Great Falls MT
59405.
* Radermacher, Mrs. I.E. The Papillon. [U.K.]
1985.
* Roberts, Peggy and Bob Russell. The
Papillon. U.K. , 1959.
* Roe, Carolyn and David. The
Compete Papillon. Howell House, 1992.
160p.
* Rouck, Mme R. G. Historique de la race
Epagneul Nain Continental.
1970.
* Russell, Bob & Peggy. The Papillon. Dog
Lovers Series. Nicholson &
Watson,
1959.
* Swann, Gwen. Papillons and Other Friends.
UK. Published by the
author, 1992.
186p.
* Tamm, Suzanne. Papillon oche Phalene.
Sweden, 1978.
* Waud, Clarice & Pat Challis.
Butterfly Dog: Papillon & Phalene.
2nd ed, rev. Reprint of 1976 ed. Kathleen Rais & Co,
92p.
* Waud, Clarice & Mark Hutchings. Papillon
Butterfly Dog. Nimrod
Book Service
(U.K.), 1985; Kathleen Rais & Co,
1986.
Articles
* Cecil, Barbara. "Papillon TDX-ceptional:
Well-practiced Reina
seeks the
challenge." AKC Gazette 106 #3 (February 1989), p.
68+.
* Cecil, Barbara. "TDX-ceptional II: How a
Petite Papillon Beat
Horses, Heat, and
the Odds to Earn her TDX and Join her
Like-titled Mother." AKC Gazette 110 #9 (September 1993), p.
56+.
* Franklin, R.J. M. et al. "Neuroaxonal
Dystrophy in a Litter of
Papillon Dogs."
Journal of Small Animal Practice v. 36
#10
(October 1995), p.
441+.
* Hakanson, Nils and Kristina Narfstrom.
"Progressive Retinal
Atrophy in
Papillons in Sweden: a Clinical Survey." Veterinary
and
Comparative Opthamology 5 #2 (1995)
pp. 83-87.
* Newton, Virginia. "Color in Japanese
Chin and Papillons." Dog
World September
1983. [This cite came from the AKC Gazette but
is
apparently incorrect. Does anyone
have correct citation?]
* Palika, Liz. "Dog or
Butterfly?" Dog Fancy, May 1991, 48-55.
* Pflaumer,
Sharon. Breed Spotllight: "Dogdom's Aflutter Over
the
Butterfly Dog: the Personable
Papillon." Dog World 80 #8 (August
1995), 12-18.
Periodicals and
Annuals
* All Ears, published by Papillon Canada.
For more info contact:
Diana Pierce, 61
Prince Edward Ave., Pointe Claire, Quebec,
Canada
H9R
4C4
* Australian Papillon Handbook. For back issues
contact, Mrs. Jean
Rimmer, P.O. Box 147,
Riverstone NSW 2765 Australia.
* PapPourri: The
Magazine for Papillon Fanciers. P.O. Box
992,
Greensburg PA, 15601. Email: bilbo@westol.com
* Pap Talk, published by the Papillon Club of America for
its
members only. No subscriptions
allowed.
* Papillon Annual, vol. I (1993)-date.
Published annually with a
deadline of
May 15, by Hoflin Publishing Ltd, 4401 Zephyr
St,
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-3299. Email:
Back issues are sometimes
available.
* Papillon News. 35 Brookside Crescent,
RR#1, Kentville, Nova
Scotia, Canada B4N
3V7. Email: Kinduhaven@ns.sympatico.ca
* Reflections 1999: A PCA Pictorial. published by the Papillon
Club
of America (expected publication
date is October 1999). For
availability/pricing, contact Sandee French, 91-111 Pua'ina
Place,
Ewa Beach, HI 96706. Email: WestwayPaps@hawaii.rr.com
Pedigree Service
* Prestige
Pedigrees, Marie F. Vihonsky, 28370 Acacia, Livonia,
MI
48154. www.cris.com/~Valmar
Gifts
*
Prints, note cards, & stationery featuring
charming
black-and-white sketches of
Papillons. For information write:
Dorothea Robinson, DVM; 103 Walton Drive, College Station,
TX
77840.
*
Stationery, prints, handpainted plates and portraits
featuring
Paps. For information write:
Jill Riley, 5984 Plateau, Felton, CA
80110.
* Limited edition Papillon sculptures,
stationery, note cards, and
prints. For
information write: Nancy Miller Pinke, 16506
Whitewood
Ave, Prior Lake, MN
55372.
Clubs
* Papillon Club of America,
Inc.
Mrs. June Peterson, Corresponding
Secretary
RR1, Box
23AA
New Ulm, Texas
78950
Email: perfect1@industryinet.com
Homepage: www.papillonclub.org
* Papillon Canada
Mrs.
Cindy Hayes, Secretary
RR #2
Brampton, ON,
l6V 1A1
CANADA
Email: chayes@idirect.com
* There are regional Papillon Clubs in several
parts of the U.S.,
including
the:
* Greater Chicagoland Papillon Club
(Illinois)
* Greater Delaware Valley Papillon Club
(New Jersey)
* Metropolitan Area Papillon Club of
Washington, DC.
* Papillon Club of
Hawaii
* Papillon Club of Northern
California
* Papillon Club of Southern
California
* Patriot Papillon Club (New
England)
* Papillon Association of Puget Sound
(Washington)
* Texas Alamo Papillon Society (San
Antonio)
For regional club contact
information, visit the Regional Club
listing.
* For a list of Australian Papillon Clubs,
see
http://www.petnet.com/au/dogs/D156.html
Rescue Contact
PCA
Benevolent/Rescue Fund
National
Chair
Lori
Bovee
6507 Koziara
Dr
Burke, VA
22105
Email: lmbovee@EROLS.COM
* Click here for the PCA Rescue
Webpage
Online
Resources
* Papillon Email
Lists
Papillon-L -- The original email
list for the breed, Papillon-L
provides
a lively, informative internet discussion forum
for
owners, prospective owners,
fanciers, and breeders of Papillons.
To join, send an email
to:
+ listserv@apple.ease.lsoft.com
* Leave the subject line blank, and in the body of
the message,
write:
+ Subscribe
Papillon-L first-name last-name
(making appropriate substitutions
of your name of
course)
Further instructions/information will
follow. The list
administrators (Tracy
Burdick, Susi Gleffe) can be contacted
by
emailing to: papillon-L-request@apple.ease.lsoft.com
Papfriends-L -- A discussion list for Papillon pet
owners,
owned by Mary
Salvail. To subscribe, send an email
to:
majordomo@gcstation.net
* Leave the subject line blank, and in the body of
the message,
write: Subscribe
Papfriends-L
Butterfly Banter
Forum -- For Papillon lovers and owners
to
exchange ideas and
information. Go to:
* www.delphi.com/papillon/
__________________________________________________________
Papillon FAQ
Copyright 1996-1999
Beverly Miller, bmiller@boisestate.edu
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