LaJade Papillons

I was introduced to the Papillon by my daughter's horse trainer a few years ago. She was looking for an all around breed that was athletic, easy to train to do performance events such as agility and obedience but not in a big package, she chose the Papillon. Since I acquired my Papillons I have found them to everything and more than what was shared with me about the extremely smart, agile and very beautiful Papillon dog. They are a small dog with the heart of a big dog; they are athletic and have the stamina of a Border Collie when it comes to performance events. They are the all around dog and I decided that this would be a good breed for me since I live on a 5 acre ranch and like to have my dogs accompany me outside when I am gardening or doing other outdoor duties and activities. I have wonderful companion and prospective performance event puppies available. Take a look at my Puppies and Adults available pages. LeJade papillons is located in sunny California. Our wonderful pups can be seen in and out of the show ring from California to Germany.   Why should you consider a papillon as a pet? Papillons are as smart as a Border Collie. More athletic than most toy dogs. Easier coat care than other coated toy breeds. Affectionate without being needy. Simply adorable. A papillon puppies will become your constant companion or well adjusted family pet. The Papillon is after all, a toy spaniel from the 16th-17th century renaissance period, with a history of being a favored small companion dog as well as the ability to run in the garden and flush birds and squirrels, like bigger spaniel breeds. The Papillon is the toy breed with traits more like a medium to large breed.

Papillon history

The Papillon has a history that dates back more than 700 years. Papillons have been depicted in tapestries existing in European courts. They are believed have their roots in Italy and Asia. The travels of Marco Polo into Asia, and opening up the overland trade routes to China, the importation of the Papillon into Italy is very likely. The Italian merchants brought the dogs into the countries in baskets on the back of mules. It is possible that the French and Spanish courts were fascinated by this unique and very personable dog when they first traded for them with the Italian merchants. The European royalty became fascinated with the Papillon, because it was personable, intelligent, easy to train and was easily carried around. The Pap had a very dainty appearance, was outgoing, happy and also long-lived. One should be aware that the Papillon breed does have two varieties: there is the Papillon, which came into being during the late 1800's, which is the erect-eared dog that we are familiar with today with their fan like ears reminiscent of butterfly wings, hence the french word for butterfly being Papillon. There is also the older of the two varieties, the original, called the Phalene, or the "night moth". Both the Phalene variety and the Papillon, can appear in the same litter. Today many countries judge these two varieties as separate breeds, this is according to F.C.I.rules. Only the U.S. and the U.K. judge them as simply varieties of the same breed. The Papillon got it's name from the French word for "butterfly". The French court ladies would never consider a portrait of themselves as being complete without their Papillon somewhere within their picture. The Papillon can be seen in history through portraits, sculptures, and tapestries dating back to the 1300's. The Papillon has had several different names down through time. Some of these are:

• Continental Toy Spaniel
• Little Squirrel Dogs
• Belgian Toy Spaniels

The interesting part to all this is that the Papillon does love to hunt and flush. Despite its diminutive size, the little Pappy loves to flush birds (small ones), butterflies, moths, and mice. Nevertheless, the Papillon is not used today for hunting or field trial but is a delightful toy dog. The Papillon is simply too fine-boned and dainty for rough-and-tumble antics.

Even though the Papillon was known in Europe by the ruling families, Great Britain did not get the Papillon until 1905. The A.K.C. recognized the Papillon breed in 1915. The first champion (Cruft's) Papillon was not born until 1922. The Papillon Club of Britain was founded in 1924. The Papillon Club of America was finally formed in 1935.