THE PAPILLON BREED STANDARD

General Appearance of the Papillon
Dainty, well balanced dog. An alert and intelligent expression.

Characteristics
The name ‘Papillon’ comes from the shape and position of the ears. When erect they are carried like the spread wings of a butterfly, hence the name. When the ears are completely dropped this type is known as the ‘Phalene’ (Moth). Head markings should be symmetrical, about a narrow white, clearly defined blaze which is desirable but not essential, this represents the body of a butterfly.

Temperament
Lively, intelligent, friendly, with no aggression; an alert little dog.

Head and Skull
Skull slightly rounded between ears, muzzle finely pointed and abruptly finer than the skull, well defined stop. Length from tip of nose to stop approximately one-third of length of head. Nose always black.

Eyes
Medium size, rounded, not bulging, dark with dark rims, placed slightly low in skull.

Ears
Very large, mobile with rounded tips, heavily fringed; set towards back of head far enough apart to show slightly rounded skull. Leathers firm but fine. When erect each ear should form an angle of 45 degrees to the head.

Mouth
Jaws strong, with complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips thin, tight and dark in colour.

Neck
Medium length.

Forequarters
Shoulders well developed and sloping. Chest quite deep. Forelegs straight & slender with strong, fine bone. Elbows close to chest.

Body
Fairly long with level topline; well sprung ribs, loin strong & good length, slightly arched belly.

Hindquarters
Well developed, good turn of stifle. Legs when viewed from behind parallel.

Feet
Fine, fairly long, hare-like. Tufts of hair between toes extending beyond them.

Tail
Long, well fringed, set high, carried over back with fringes falling to form a plume.

Gait/Movement
Light & flowing, positive gait. Viewed from in front & behind, legs and feet moving parallel to each other, with feet turning neither in nor out. Viewed from side, dog should cover ground well with no hackneyed action.

Coat
Long, flowing but without undercoat; fine & silky to touch, falling flat on back and sides; profuse frill on chest; short and close on skull, muzzle & front parts of legs. Rear of forelegs to pasterns, tail and thighs covered with long hair.

Colour
White with patches, which may be any colour except liver. Tricolours, black and white with tan spots over eyes, tan inside ears, on cheeks, and under root of tail.

Size
Height 20-28 cms (8-11 ins). A dog will appear slightly longer than high when fully furnished with ruff and hind fringes.

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Dog's must have both testicles down & of even size.