Dog's Name & Age:
Kingsley, age 7
In a Word, My Papillon Is...
Smart clown
Best Characteristics of the Breed
Big dog attitude in a small body
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
Long hair-which I've found in my mascara & toothpaste & usual places
When, Where and How I Got My Papillon
From a highly recommended breeder who helped me select just the right puppy to do agility & obedience with.
I'd Describe My Dog As…
An awesome champion.... he holds top agility & obedience titles in AKC & several other venues. Even when in the ring, he makes me & the audiences & quite often the judge laugh. He is full of energy, as much or more than any big dog I've owned. But he will amuse himself. He'll take his ball to the top of our ramp, let go of it, and chase it. He'll bury his toy in a blanket, sheet , pile of leaves or whatever he can find, then seconds later uncover it, then rebury. He'll remove every toy from the box until he finds 'the toy of the day'. He's been very easy to train in anything we've tried. He loves toys & has learned to 'tidy up' the toys before bed or into his toy bag when we are out visiting. He is either playing or sleeping! After my knee surgery, he quickly learned to fetch objects out of my reach & to take off my socks. He added his own twist by going & getting my socks, laying one over each foot, then taking them off. Looking so proud of himself. Not a day goes by that we don't have at least one new Kingsley story! Thought of as a lap dog, my guy would rather be playing ball with me or agility. When he's out of energy, he becomes a lap dog. Sleeping on my shoulder, in middle of my back or on my chest is not out of the question. He is extremely loyal & follows me around like the proverbial puppy. He is not a 'morning dog'. When awakened before dawn, he growls then opens his eyes & looks so remorseful! He'll eat an early breakfast & race back to bed! He alerts me to someone approaching with a bark then expects me to take care of the situation. He has stared down a Rottie who appeared to be thinking about approaching! He also hates water in all forms-bath, rain, snow, pool. Thankfully he's a wash & wear type dog but he is white or suppose to be which translates to regular baths & long haired which means brushing.
Advice
- Physically small, needing protection from: other dogs, rough handling including by small children, being stepped on, sat upon, dropped, jumping on to/ off of high places including beds & furniture, weather
- Small but not fragile-healthy & sturdy
- Great with children old enough to understand how to handle them
- May need feeding 3 times a day to maintain blood sugar
- House train as if the mess the Pap will leave equals that of a Great Dane! Take out often & regularly while teaching.
- Smart dogs, need training or will rule. Love learning & showing off & pleasing
- Buy a good vacuum
- Prepare to laugh
- Look down
