Papillon

Papillon is a term that originates from the French word for 'butterfly'. In the medical field, it is often associated with the Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. However, the term 'Papillon' is more commonly known as a breed of dog.

Papillon (Dog Breed)

The Papillon (French for 'butterfly[-eared]'), also called the Continental Toy Spaniel, is a breed of dog of the Spaniel type. One of the oldest of the toy spaniels, it derives its name from its characteristic butterfly-like look of the long and fringed hair on the ears. A Papillon with dropped ears is called a Phalène (French for 'moth').

Characteristics

The Papillon is a small, friendly, elegant toy dog of fine-boned structure, light, dainty and of lively action. They are distinguished from other breeds by their beautiful, butterfly-like ears. They are known to be alert and friendly dogs that are not shy or aggressive.

Health

Papillons are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Papillons will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed. Some common health issues include Patellar Luxation, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and Collapsed Trachea.

Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes skin and immune system problems. Symptoms include palmoplantar keratoderma and severe periodontitis affecting both the primary and permanent dentition. It is caused by mutations in the cathepsin C gene.

See Also

• Dog breed
• Spaniel
• Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome
• Cathepsin C

Papillon Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.