Puppy Development
By Roseann Fucillo
Published in September 2007 AKC GAZETTE

In the more than 30 years that I have bred Papillons, I have found that many bloodlines mature differently.  With my own lines, I know how what to expect at each growth stage. But when I breed to an outside male and bring in a new gene pool, it is anyone’s guess as to how each puppy will develop.

Aside from the obvious birth defects, there is not much you can tell at birth in regard to conformation, except for the markings.  A tiny bit of white on ears tips will grow out and colors may not be immediately evident, particularly tri colors.

At 3 months, the pups with beautiful heads are usually “kittenlike,"with short muzzles, and wide-set eyes that are level with the stop. At this time, I look at outlines and get a good idea of overall appearance, type, and proportion. They should appear almost square.  If they are long in body, they may end up too low on leg.

You should already see the large butterfly-like ears beginning to emerge, properly arched tail sets, and signs of guard hair, indicating lush coats. Pigmentation may be incomplete and noses with pink spots will often turn black, but eye color will not darken.

From 4 to 5 months, pups should appear leggy.  During this time many toplines go off and their hindquarters grow at a different rate than front assemblies. While teething, bites can go off and ears can go up and down. I always watch movement and note that the great movers at three months can lose their sound fronts when they become leggy. I have learned not to dismiss a pup if they appear hocky, as many will grow into their rear angulation later.

Once adorable puppies can turn into “ponies” in their pre-adult “teen-age” stage. They will look gawky until they develop their chest, and fill out. Males go through a big shed, and lose weight, particularly when their testosterone kicks in and they discover bitches in season. Without chest development, they look like tripods, where it appears both front legs originate from the same point!

Most Papillons don’t develop their adult coat until after two. Usually you can tell when a dog is immature because he doesn’t have a fully developed ruff, fringing, coat or muscle development around their shoulders. Many lines don’t grow full ear fringes until 2, while others develop lush fringes as young pups.

Clarification:
It was brought to my attention that my use of the word “moderate” in my March 2007 column describing the breed, may be misconstrued by those judges who relate this term to substance of bone.

Although Harold R. Spira’s book Canine Terminology, does not mention the term moderate,  this appears to be a term used and understood in this manner by all-rounders. 

My use of the term was meant to mean the Webster’s Dictionary definition, “within reasonable limits; avoiding excesses or extremes.” It is my opinion that the Papillon breed is not one of extremes, with the exception of their large butterfly-like ears, and thus I used the term moderate to describe their overall appearance, not their bone substance - which should be fine and dainty.

Published with permission from the AKC GAZETTE.  This article is not to be copied, whole or in part, without written permission from the author.