| TITAN PAPILLONS History of Papillons |
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History of the Papillon
The Papillon, known in the 16th century as the Dwarf Spaniel, is the modern
development of those little dogs often seen pictured in rare old paintings
and tapestries. Rubens, Watteau, Frogonard, and Boucher all depicted
them, and their popularity was so great that noble ladies of the day did not
consider their portraits complete unless one of these elegant little dogs was
pictured with them. Madame de Pompadour was the proud possessor of
two, Inez and Mimi by name. Marie Antoinette was another ardent admirer,
while as early as 1545 there is record of one having been sold to a lady who
later ascended the throne of Poland.
It is Spain that we have to thank for the Papillon’s primary rise to fame,
though Italy, particularly Bologna, probably developed the largest trade.
Many were sold to the court of Louis XIV, who had his choice among those
brought into France. Prices ran high, and the chief trader, a Bolognese
named Filipponi, developed a large business with the court of France and
elsewhere. Most of the dogs were transferred from one country to the other
upon the backs of mules.
As time went on, a change developed in the dwarf spaniel which gave rise to
the present-day name, Papillon. During the days of Louis the Great, the
dwarf spaniel possessed large, drooping ears, but gradually there came into
being an erect-eared type, the ears being set obliquely on the head and so
fringed as to resemble the wings of a butterfly. (Papillon is the French word
for butterfly.) The causes of this change remain largely theoretical, but
whatever they may be, we no have a Toy dog whose type of body and coat
is about the same as that of the original dwarf spaniel of Spain and Italy, but
whose ears may be either erect or drooping. Both types may, and often do
appear in the same litter. In continental Europe, as well as Great Britain,
the drop-eared variety is called Phalene, although the breed as a whole
carries the nomenclature of Papillon, as it does in this country. Here both
types are judged together and with equality. Another change concerns
color. Originally, almost all were of solid color. Today, white predominates
as the ground color, with patches of other colors, and solid-colored dogs
are disqualified.
Papillons are hardy dogs. It is unnecessary to coddle them in winter; and
they do not suffer particularly in severe hot weather. They delight in country
activities and are equally contented in apartments. As ratters, they are
extremely useful. Too small to kill a rat outright, they will worry it until it is
exhausted, then dispatch it quickly. As a rule, bitches whelp easily and give
little trouble when rearing puppies.
Although they have been exhibited for many years in the United States, it
was not until 1935 that Papillons were represented in the American Kennel
Club by their own breed club, the Papillon Club of America.
The Complete Dog Book, 19th edition, Pg 448-449
The Papillon, known in the 16th century as the Dwarf Spaniel, is the modern
development of those little dogs often seen pictured in rare old paintings
and tapestries. Rubens, Watteau, Frogonard, and Boucher all depicted
them, and their popularity was so great that noble ladies of the day did not
consider their portraits complete unless one of these elegant little dogs was
pictured with them. Madame de Pompadour was the proud possessor of
two, Inez and Mimi by name. Marie Antoinette was another ardent admirer,
while as early as 1545 there is record of one having been sold to a lady who
later ascended the throne of Poland.
It is Spain that we have to thank for the Papillon’s primary rise to fame,
though Italy, particularly Bologna, probably developed the largest trade.
Many were sold to the court of Louis XIV, who had his choice among those
brought into France. Prices ran high, and the chief trader, a Bolognese
named Filipponi, developed a large business with the court of France and
elsewhere. Most of the dogs were transferred from one country to the other
upon the backs of mules.
As time went on, a change developed in the dwarf spaniel which gave rise to
the present-day name, Papillon. During the days of Louis the Great, the
dwarf spaniel possessed large, drooping ears, but gradually there came into
being an erect-eared type, the ears being set obliquely on the head and so
fringed as to resemble the wings of a butterfly. (Papillon is the French word
for butterfly.) The causes of this change remain largely theoretical, but
whatever they may be, we no have a Toy dog whose type of body and coat
is about the same as that of the original dwarf spaniel of Spain and Italy, but
whose ears may be either erect or drooping. Both types may, and often do
appear in the same litter. In continental Europe, as well as Great Britain,
the drop-eared variety is called Phalene, although the breed as a whole
carries the nomenclature of Papillon, as it does in this country. Here both
types are judged together and with equality. Another change concerns
color. Originally, almost all were of solid color. Today, white predominates
as the ground color, with patches of other colors, and solid-colored dogs
are disqualified.
Papillons are hardy dogs. It is unnecessary to coddle them in winter; and
they do not suffer particularly in severe hot weather. They delight in country
activities and are equally contented in apartments. As ratters, they are
extremely useful. Too small to kill a rat outright, they will worry it until it is
exhausted, then dispatch it quickly. As a rule, bitches whelp easily and give
little trouble when rearing puppies.
Although they have been exhibited for many years in the United States, it
was not until 1935 that Papillons were represented in the American Kennel
Club by their own breed club, the Papillon Club of America.
The Complete Dog Book, 19th edition, Pg 448-449
| " Portrait of Marquise de Pompadour " ( 1750 ) François Boucher |
" Playing Children " ( 1807 )
Louis Léopold Boilly
Louis Léopold Boilly