Are Papillons hypoallergenic?
This is a question I’ve found in message boards all over the internet.
I’ve also found tons of other questions asking about the “butterfly” dog breed.
So today, we’re going to answer all of them…and then some!
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Complete Guide to the Papillon Dog Breed
Papillons are totally adorable. They’re great dogs, and they can be excellent family pets.
However, people with allergies also need a dog that won’t ramp up their allergies and leave them a mess of watery eyes, itchy noses, and general, allergy-induced misery.
So today, we’re talking about this breed in general and answering the question: are Papillons hypoallergenic.
Papillon Temperament
The Papillon is an excellent choice for a family pet, especially new owners. Papillons have an almost effervescent personality.
These dogs get along well with everyone and almost everything, and they are easy to train.
Their high intelligence coupled with their eagerness to please makes them ideal for first-time owners.
Super Friendly
Papillons are outgoing, incredibly friendly, and easy to train.
Basically, these dogs will never ever meet a person or another dog that they don’t want to play with.
True to their name – Papillon is French for butterfly – these dogs are social butterflies.
They love interacting with other humans and dogs, and they thrive on being part of a community.
Prone to Separation Anxiety
However, be aware that their need for being involved is a double-edged sword.
While Papillons love being part of the action, they are not the type of independent-minded dog that can take or leave group activity.
Papillons hate being left alone. They want to be where their people are at all times.
They’ll follow you around the house, a constant sidekick to whatever you’re doing.
If left alone for long periods of time, they can become depressed and stressed, so they’re not ideal for people who work long hours or are frequently gone from the home.
Excellent Pet for the Right Family
The Papillons temperament makes him an ideal family pet for those who tend to be homebodies, as this breed is all about hanging out with his humans and playing with his kids.
This is a breed that’s tailor-made for home life.
Papillon Energy Level
Papillons are high-energy dogs.
\Their energy level ranges from moderate to ultra-high energy, depending on the dog.
Descended from toy Spaniels, Papillons have incredibly high energy and a need for adequate exercise and playtime.
This high energy level, coupled with how easy they are to train, makes activities like agility training ideal for this small but spunky dog.
If you don’t have an outlet like agility training, be sure to give your Papillon lots of playtime and walks.
Like any high-energy breed, if they don’t get enough exercise they can become destructive as they attempt to find outlets for all the pent-up energy they have inside them.
Papillon Exercise Requirements
I just touched on this, but it bears repeating in its own section.
Papillons need adequate exercise.
I’m hitting this point again because their toy stature makes it easy for owners to be fooled into thinking that this breed is a couch potato like some other toy breeds are. That is a big, fat negative.
Papillons are incredibly high energy and super smart, and as such, they need lots of physical and mental stimulation.
Almost every Papillon will benefit from lots of playtime in addition to two to three walks per day.
In addition to physical stimulation, try to make part of that playtime mentally focused.
Give him toys like Kongs which have a hollow center in which treats can be placed.
This gives your Papillon a physical outlet to chew and a mental outlet to figure out how to get to the treat in the center of the toy.
Papillon Health
The Papillon is a generally healthy dog breed.
They have an average lifespan of between 12 and 15 years, however, some can live upwards of 17 years.
While this breed has few major health concerns, there are a few issues that the breed is more prone to. I emphasize the word “prone.”
While the Papillon is more likely to be afflicted with these issues, he won’t necessarily get any of them. Breed-specific health concerns for the Papillon include:
- Patellar Luxation (Dislocating Knee Cap)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Allergies
- Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)
- Sensitivity to Anesthesia
Papillon Grooming
Papillons are relatively easy to groom, but they do require some maintenance.
They have long, silky hair that requires regular brushing to avoid knots and mats, and regular bathing to keep them clean.
While regular bathing and brushing are required, “regular” bathing for this breed can mean as long as six weeks between baths.
However, “regular” brushing for this breed is daily if you have the time and no longer than every other day.
Aside from bathing and brushing, all a Papillon needs is regular nail trims like any other dog.
Are Papillons Hypoallergenic
Unfortunately, the answer to the question: Are Papillons hypoallergenic is a no.
As I’ve covered before, there is no truly hypoallergenic dog.
When we talk about a hypoallergenic breed, we are essentially referring to how much a dog sheds, if they shed at all. Breeds that are considered hypoallergenic don’t shed.
Shedding is the driving factor in whether or not a dog is considered hypoallergenic because most of the things that owners are allergic to are found on the hair root.
Dogs produce a protein in their urine and skin that causes allergic reactions in some people.
Dogs that don’t shed produce less of this protein in the environment making them “hypoallergenic”.
Papillons, while a single-coated breed, do shed.
You won’t get giant hairballs like you would if you had a Husky, but you will have hair in the home.
Like all dogs that shed, Papillons shed their coat in earnest twice a year and can also shed a small amount of hair throughout the year.
Because of this, Papillons are not considered hypoallergenic.
Are Papillons Hypoallergenic? No, but They Still Make Great Pets
So now we know the answer to: are Papillons hypoallergenic?
No, they’re not.
While this breed really shines in almost all aspects, he’s not a great choice for someone with dog allergies, especially if they are severe.
Although Papillons aren’t huge shedders, they do have a major shed twice a year, and they can randomly shed a few hairs throughout the year.
If you only have mild allergies, you might be able to mitigate your symptoms with regular bathing, vacuuming, and being especially vigilant about cleaning during your dog’s shed phase.
However, if you are highly allergic, you’ll want to look for another breed.
That being said, Papillons are an excellent choice for a family pet if you and your family members have no dog allergies.
Their high intelligence, bubbly personality, and of course, their super cute ears, make them an excellent addition to any family.
Just remember that in addition to shedding, this breed also needs lost of time with his family, so if you’re on the go all the time, consider another breed.
