This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, November 2012 issue.
The hallmark of the Papillon breed is, of course, the large, rounded ears set at “forty-five degrees when alert,” reminiscent of butterfly wings. Notice the instruction: forty-five degrees when alert. In repose, the ears may be lower. Unfortunately, we are seeing ears set too high on the head. They should never be higher than forty-five degrees. Judges seem comfortable using higher ear sets but often overlook an otherwise nice dog if its ears relax below forty-five degrees.
Several years ago, the consensus was that the ears couldn’t be too big. One of our most respected judges, Edd Bivin, argued they could, and he was right. Recently, I’ve seen dogs with ears so large they almost look cartoonish.
One question I’m often asked is, “How much is too much bone?” The standard states “fine boned” four times. It’s not about too much bone but rather the shape of the bone. The standard specifies “hare footed,” indicating the shape of the bone. Bladed bone accompanies hare feet; round bone does not. If the foot has the correct shape, then the dog has the lighter, fine bone required by the breed.
The lighter, fine-boned, hare-footed dog also hints at how it will move. The standard calls for movement that is “free, quick, easy, graceful, not paddle-footed or stiff in hip movements.” This breed does not demand a “well-laid-back shoulder,” only sufficient layback for freedom of movement. This is not a “reach and drive” breed. The word “quick” refers to the timing of the foot hitting and leaving the ground, resulting in a shorter stride and a skimming motion, almost like a bug skimming water.
The standard also describes the head as small, with a fine muzzle that is abruptly thinner than the head. The correct proportion is ⅓ muzzle to ⅔ back skull. Unfortunately, we’re seeing more dogs with oversized heads and thick, long muzzles lacking proper proportions. A correct head and muzzle require no shaving to alter appearance. Yet, people are shaving the entire head with a ten blade or trimming the hair on the legs and feet to create an illusion of finer bone.
Tails are another misunderstood feature. The standard specifies “well-arched over the back.” Yet many dogs are shown with “snap” tails that lay flat against the back without any daylight underneath. Judges reward these incorrect tails while disqualifying dogs with tails carried down. Both faults are equally detrimental to the breed’s outline. There should always be daylight between the back and the tail’s arch.
The Papillon is single-coated. Double coats appear dense and round. When gaiting, dogs with double coats show no movement in their pants. Double coats also tend to lack length in the pants and create a round impression. Richard Beauchamp, a well-known judge and dog expert, says, “If it is round, it is wrong.”
Outline is critical to the Papillon. The breed is slightly longer in body than in height at the withers. “Slightly” is key—defined as “small in amount, not great.” My friend Terry Miller puts it humorously: “Put your toes on the edge of the Grand Canyon, then step forward slightly.” A Papillon should not stand over a lot of ground. The standard also calls for a “neck of medium length.” This is not a necky breed.
Temperament is equally important. Papillons are a happy, intelligent breed and should never be shy or aggressive.
In profile, the Papillon should display a beautiful, small head with large ears at one end and a high, arched tail at the other.
I have been fortunate to judge the Papillon National in four countries: the US, UK, Sweden, and Canada. My impressions? The US and Canada share similar breed types. Sweden’s entries were generally larger and less fine-boned. Overall, I found the highest quality in the UK.
