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6 Papillon Pros & Cons: Important Considerations
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The adorable Papillon is steadily increasing in popularity. The breed is good with children and other animals, is sweet, and affectionate, and makes an excellent pet. However, they are a fragile toy breed, so you must be extra careful if you decide to give one a forever home.
The tiny Papillon reaches 8 to 11 inches in height and weighs 7.1 to 9.9 pounds when fully grown. If you’ve been thinking of adopting a Papillon but are unsure if it’s the right choice, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll give you a few of the pros and cons of giving this breed a home below.
The 3 Pros of Owning a Papillon
1. They Are Super Sweet Dogs
You’re not going to find a sweeter dog than the Papillon. Papillons have been called social butterflies because they make friends easily and love being around people. They can be standoffish if they aren’t trained and socialized properly, so make sure to start training your furry friend when it is still a pup.
They make great city dogs, so you don’t have to worry about how your dog will react when you go for walks or to the dog park. While the dog is a bit standoffish with strangers at times, they are always polite and very sociable once they’ve warmed up to the new person in their space.
2. They Are Small and Portable
The Papillon is certainly small and portable at only 11 inches in height and not weighing more than 10 pounds. However, as adorable and portable as your Papillon might be, this is not a purse dog. The dog has way too much energy for that and will not be able to sit still to be carried in your purse, no matter how well-trained the dog is. Make sure that you give your little Papillon plenty of exercise and plenty of time to run off energy before you go anywhere.
3. They Have Tons of Energy
The fact that Papillons seem to have endless energy could be a pro or a con of owning this dog, depending on how you look at it. You can expect your Papillon Pup to enjoy everything from hiking with you to long walks on the beach. So, expect a lot of fetch and tug-of-war to be in your future if you’re going to adopt one of these little bundles of joy.
The 3 Cons of Owning a Papillon
1. They Bark a Lot
One of the hugest drawbacks to adopting a Papillon is that they bark quite a bit. Many times, the dog is awfully quick to sound the alarm when someone walks down the hall, comes to the door, or the mailman is putting mail in the mailbox.
For this reason, Papillons might not make the best apartment dogs. However, there is hope, as you can always train your Papillon not to bark unless there is a reason to. Training your dog to reduce barking is difficult, but you can sign up for professional training if you need help.
2. They Don’t Like to be Left Alone
If you travel a lot for your job or are gone for long hours at a time, the Papillon might not be the best choice of pet for you. They get extremely attached to their pet parents and get upset if they are left to their own devices for too long.
Without enough time with its owner, the Papillon can get bored and unhappy and could then become destructive. You don’t want to come home to your couch cushions chewed to pieces on the floor, so make sure you have time for your furry friend, and don’t leave it alone for hours at a time.
3. They Are Fragile
Another major con of owning a Papillon is that while they are a hardy breed, they are also a toy breed, which makes them fragile. While they can be around small children, it’s best to supervise their playtime together so the dog doesn’t become injured by rough hands.
If you have small children around the Papillon, make sure to teach them how to handle and care for them.
Final Thoughts
Papillon Dogs are adorable, tiny, and lovable. However, there are pros and cons to owning one. While they have plenty of energy, they are fragile if handled incorrectly. While they are loving, they bark a lot, and while they are portable and small, their energy levels make it impossible for them to be purse dogs.
If you’re considering giving this breed a forever home, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons above carefully to determine if this is the best dog for you. If you decide to adopt a Papillon, you will get plenty of love, affection, and loyalty in return.
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Featured Image By: MusicFox Fx, Unsplash
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Patricia is a pet and coffee writer and a published author under the pen name Skylar McKinzie. When she isn’t writing, Patricia enjoys spending time with her two cats and dog. Since she was a young child, she has been a pet lover and enjoys nothing more than cuddling with her pets, Mystery, and her two cats, Binx and Link. Mystery has been with her family since the day she was born, as has Link. Binx was found under the house as a kitten, taken inside, and has been a part of the family ever since. Patricia loves sharing her knowledge of animals and finds joy in helping out at the local rescue shelter whenever she can.
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