Ears like a butterfly: One of the world's smartest dog breeds that used to hide in the sleeves of aristocratic ladies
The papillon's size and aristocratic history belies its intelligence and agility, finds Brooke Theis.
Canonically associated with palaces and peeresses, papillons are, at heart, merry little opportunists: bubbly as Champagne and primed to hop into any arms that will stroke them.
A descendant of the toy spaniel, their name, of course, means ‘butterfly’ in French, bestowed for the extravagant ears that flare from their heads like open wings. Although, as Vita Sackville-West observed of the papillon: ‘No butterfly ever sported such richly fringed hairy wings. The first shower of rain would soon bring it down if it did.’
George Stubbs's 'Portrait of a Spanish Dog' (1775) depicts a continental toy spaniel — popular lapdogs, also known as papillons.
Believed to have been introduced during the reign of Louis XIV to complement the elaborate fashions of the court, papillons have long been favoured by members of European nobility, from Madame de Pompadour to Queen Victoria. Their admirers have also included Marie Antoinette, whose favourite dog, called Coco, is said to have stayed by her side during her imprisonment in the Temple and the Conciergerie.
Their diminutive stature meant that courtly ladies could carry them in the wide sleeves of their gowns or in their muffs to warm their hands in the winter; conveniently, papillons typically grow to between eight and 11 inches tall and can weigh as little as five pounds.
Yet the papillon’s story begins centuries before it first graced the salons of Versailles. Their ancestors can be spotted in Renaissance paintings throughout Europe — they appear in revered works by Titian, Rubens and van Dyck — where they are often depicted perching on velvet-draped seats or peeking up from beneath banquet tables.
Although be wary not to mistake them for their drop-eared cousins, the similarly charming drop-eared phalène (or ‘moth’). Indeed, papillons understand performance — as demonstrated by their many Crufts accolades. They consistently win in the Toy Breed category and have even snapped up Best in Show, for they certainly know how to turn heads.
A papillon jumps a hurdle during a press event at Madison Square Garden to promote the first-ever Masters Agility Championship at the 138th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Papillon dogs weigh between three and 10 pounds (1.5 to 4.5kg) and boast an impressive, long lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
Their fur, though profuse, is relatively easy to maintain because it lacks the dense undercoat that tangles so readily in other breeds. Regular brushing is usually enough to keep their coat glossy and free of knots. Papillons are not, however, merely ornamental. Beneath the frippery is a surprisingly hardy canine. They may look as though they ought to shy from muddy weather, but most papillons enjoy the outdoors. They take long walks and woodland explorations in stride, making them equally suited to life in a country pile as they are a London flat. Papillons are also known for their agility and speed. In dog sports, such as obedience and agility competitions, they regularly outperform much larger breeds thanks to their quick reflexes.
The breed arrived comparatively late in Britain, becoming recognised by the UK’s Kennel Club in the 1920s, quickly gaining popularity both for their handsomeness and astonishing intelligence. In fact, papillons are often ranked among the smartest of all dog breeds, capable of learning commands quickly and responding eagerly to training.
However, such intelligence can also bring with it a certain amount of willfulness. ‘He has me well-trained,’ says the Hampshire owner Dee Duff of her 12-year-old papillon, Alfie. ‘He only goes where he wants to go, and decides how long for. He can be very stubborn!’ Indeed, there is something almost comic about the contrast between their appearance and temperament. They may weigh little more than a bag of sugar, but they move through life with complete conviction.
Today, they appeal to a wide range of owners for their companionship, their trainability and their adaptability: among them are the singer Christina Aguilera and the actor George Takei.
Papillons are affectionate without being clingy and lively without becoming overwhelming. They tend to form very close bonds with their families and are often happiest when included in everyday activities. Though friendly by nature, they are also alert little watchdogs, quick to announce visitors with sharp barks that belie their tiny stature.
Their elegance is most apparent when they are in motion: their ears float, their expression is serene and their tails stream behind them like a plume, as though caught in some perpetual parade. The duality of their poise and adventurousness is perhaps what makes them so enduringly delightful.
