Judging the Dog Show Papillon

The Papillon is a small, delicate dog with a butterfly-like ear and a sweet expression that's hard to resist.

To judge a Papillon in a dog show, you'll need to evaluate its overall appearance, movement, and temperament.

A well-groomed Papillon has a silky, fine coat that's parted down the middle and falls straight down the sides of its head and neck.

The Papillon's ears are its crowning glory - they should be long, fringed, and carried erect when the dog is alert.

In a dog show, the Papillon's movement is assessed for its smoothness, extension, and overall harmony with the dog's body.

Temperament is a critical aspect of judging a Papillon, and it should be friendly, outgoing, and eager to please.

Dylan the Papillon won top prize at Crufts, the world's biggest dog show.

This was a historic moment, as Dylan became the first Papillon in Crufts' 128-year history to take home the top honor.

Dylan's owner, Kathleen Roosens, described her champion dog as her little butterfly.

Dylan's playful personality earned him the nickname "Dylan the villain."

He's a great example of a happy and healthy dog, which is exactly what Crufts celebrates.

At a Papillon show, the first thing to notice is the dog's size, which should be between 8-11 inches at the withers. The height standard is quite wide, but any dog over 12 inches is disqualified.

When evaluating the dogs, step back and look for proper proportion, which should be slightly longer than tall. The outline should be elegant, not dainty or cobby.

The topline is level, with a neck of medium length, and the tail is set high and should be well-arched over the back, often described as a "teacup tail."

As you step back to take in the Papillon class, it's essential to evaluate the dogs' size and proportion. The height standard is quite wide, ranging from 8 to 11 inches at the withers, and any dog over 12 inches is immediately disqualified.

First impressions can be deceiving, so it's crucial to check the dogs' size carefully. An 8-inch dog and an 11-inch dog should both have a fine-boned substance.

A Papillon's proportion should be slightly longer than tall, but don't confuse "slightly" with "considerably" – it's a subtle distinction. The topline is level, with a neck of medium length.

The tail is a crucial aspect of a Papillon's outline, and it should be set high and well-arched over the back, resembling a "teacup tail." A flat tail or a flag tail can completely ruin the breed's elegant outline.

The neck, tail, and topline all come together to create the unmistakable, elegant outline of the Papillon.

As you take a closer look at the Papillons, you'll want to evaluate their ear set, expression, and temperament. Papillons should have an alert expression with ears at 45 degrees, and their large, round, well-fringed ears are the hallmark of the breed.

Their ears should never be pointed, high-set, or small, which are faults. A Papillon's ears should be evaluated carefully both on the ground and on the table.

Papillons should never shy away from a judge or have their tail down. They are known to be a bit naughty and extremely happy instead of being reserved.

You'll want to check if they can stand on their own and be free-baited, as hand-stacking a Papillon on the ground gives the appearance of hiding a structural or temperament fault.

At the Westminster Dog Show, a tiny papillon named Gabby made a big impression by completing the obstacle course in just 39.31 seconds.

Gabby is only 8 inches tall and 3 years old, but she's got a big personality and a lot of energy.

She zoomed through the tunnels, hoops, and jumps with ease, leaving other dog owners and their pooches in the dust.

Gabby's trainer, Andrea Samuels, had to sprint after her to keep up, and even then, she was having trouble keeping pace with the speedy pup.

Gabby was still going strong after completing the course, and she even had enough energy to give her trainer a high-five.