Finding Breed Type Within The Standard - Part II
By Roseann Fucillo
Published in September 2008 AKC GAZETTE

Let’s revisit the standard once again to revisit the image of type.  As breeders know, the most outstanding feature of the Papillon is their large butterfly-like ears.  The standard clearly describes the set, shape, and size of the ears; set on the sides and toward the back of the head, carried obliquely at approximately a 45 degree angle when alert, round at the tips, large and butterfly like in shape and movement.  The difference between varieties is only the ear carriage; Ears of the drop-type, known as the Phalene, are similar to the erect type, but are carried drooping and must be completely down.  And lastly, in order of importance is the lovely icing on the cake, the glorious fringe.

The head is small; the skull is medium in width.  It should be slightly rounded, not flat, and not domed, with the eyes being dark, round, not bulging, with the corners set on line with the stop. 

I believe eyes are very important to a pretty head.  Wide set eyes on level with a well defined stop give a sweet soft expression. Close-set eyes that are not dark, round, or level with the stop, will give a harder look. 

The muzzle is fine, abruptly thinner than the head, tapering to the nose.  The length of the muzzle from the tip of the nose to stop is approximately one-third the length of the head from tip of nose to occiput. A clearly defined white blaze and noseband are preferred to a solidly marked head.

Let’s consider the overall outline of the dog as we search for type within the standard.  The topline is level. the long flowing plume tail is held arched over the back like the handle of a tea cup.  The neck is of medium length and not exaggerated.  As the standard says, proportion should be slightly longer than height at the withers, it is not a cobby dog.  But the Papillon is also not long and low!  Correct proportion is so intrinsic to breed type.  To have the correct elegant look, it should have some leg, and above all, be fine-boned.  I can’t stress this enough! 

We also don’t want over extended hocks and exaggerated rear angulation.   A Papillon is a diminutive spaniel.  Think how smoothly a spaniel moves, like a sporting dog.  A Papillon should cover ground just as easily, be clean coming and going, and not exaggerated. 

Coat - abundant, long, fine, silky, flowing, and straight.   It should be mostly white, with patches of color. The coat should also have a profuse frill on the chest and abundant culottes, yet we like to see some tuck up and not see coat dragging on the ground. 

The Papillon is a wash-and-wear breed, not moussed, chalked, powdered or sculpted.  There is very little trimming, basically just to tidy up the feet, its pads, and to clean up the back of the hocks.

Another important characteristic which helps to define Papillon breed type is the shape of the feet, which are hare-like and elongated, not round or catlike, and not splayed. 

And finally, let’s not forget the temperament which is outgoing and friendly.