LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Papillon
built 113 days ago
The Papillon is thought to have descended from the European Toy Spaniel. Although the breed's origins are subject to debate (Italy, Belgium, France and Spain are the leading contenders, the little toy spaniels were well-established as continental court favorites by the time of Renaissance. They appear in European art as early as the 1300's, and portraits by many of the Grand Masters (e.g. Rubens, Watteau, Fragonard, and Boucher) often include a Papillon or two. Madame Pompadour and Marie Antoinette of France, Queen Sophia Dorothea of Germany, and Queen Ann of Austria are among the aristocratic ladies who allegedly owned Papillons. France's King Henry IV is said to have carried his dogs to court in a basket. Papillons have not always been called Papillons. Over the years, they have been known as Epagneuls Nains, Dwarf or Continental Spaniels, Little Squirrel Dogs or Belgian Toy Spaniels. Throughout most of their history they have had drop ears, making their Spaniel ancestry more obvious.
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Bright and perky, with elegant ears and a royal attitude, the Papillon is a hardy little dog that brightens the darkest day. Bred to be a companion, this toy dog fills that role to perfection, for it thrives on human company and delights in pleasing its owners. Developed from the Continental Toy Spaniel, the Papillon takes its name from the French word for "butterfly" for the distinctive head markings that resemble that magnificent creature. The Phalene, a separate variety of the breed with drop ears, takes its name from the butterfly's cousin, the moth, another winged beauty that folds its wings when at rest. Phalenes and Papillons can be born in the same litter, but Phalenes are not as popular as their brethren with the upright ears.
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The Papillon has a long life expectancy of around 15-18 years, and there are a number of health issues that are linked to this breed. This includes eye problems, heart problems, liver disorders, PRA, luxating patella, anemia, epilepsy, and sensitivity to drugs and chemicals. The parents of the Papillon puppy should have CERF certificates.
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The Papillon has a long, silky top coat with no undercoat. The hair is straight; the chest, ears, backs of the forelegs, and the hind legs above the hocks are fringed. However, as fine as this hair is, it needs little grooming.
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Although the Papillon may have originated in Spain or Italy hundreds and hundreds of years ago, both France and Belgium claim to have perfected and refined the breed. Despite the confusion, what is known is that the Papillon has been breeding true to type for the last 700 years - paintings of the old masters depict children of royalty at play with their Papillons. The most distinguishing feature of the breed is its wide, erect and fringed ears which give it the appearance of a butterfly, or "papillon" in French. Despite its popularity with the French royalty, it wasn't until the early to mid-1900's that the breed became popular in other parts of Europe and overseas. This handsome toy breed is well-suited to apartment living and does not need much outdoor exercise. The drop-eared variety, known as the Phalène, is allowed; ... in Europe they are considered a separate breed.
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The boat journey starts off pleasantly, but soon Papillon, Dega, and Maturette are hit by a brutal storm. Dega's broken ankle becomes gangrenous, and Maturette is forced to perform some field surgery on the wound. Then, just as the men make landfall at the end of this harrowing journey, they are immediately set upon by a group of soldiers. Thinking fast Papillon heaves an ax at one of the soldiers and takes off into the jungle, gunshots ringing out behind him. In the jungle, he meets up with another prisoner -- the man the soldiers were accompanying when they stumbled onto Papillon's landing site. This man leads Papillon through the jungle, and gives him coca leaves to chew when his energy flags.
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Papillon