Phalene Dog Breed Overview and Care Guide

The Phalène is a rare and beautiful breed, known for its large, dark eyes and delicate features. They are a type of Bichon Frise.

Their coat is soft, curly, and requires regular grooming to prevent matting.

Phalène dogs are adaptable to apartment living due to their quiet nature.

The Phalene is a toy dog breed that's often confused with the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. It's actually the drop-eared variety of the Papillon dog.

The Phalene is a friendly, lively, and playful breed that's great with children and other small pets. They're known to be very affectionate and obedient, and they're quick to learn.

One area where people may struggle with the Phalene is with housetraining. Crating early on can be helpful until the dog is housebroken.

The Phalene has a rich history dating back over seven hundred years to France, where it was kept by French royalty.

The breed is part of the Continental Toy Spaniel family, which also includes the Papillon.

Historically, the Phalene and Papillon were considered one breed, but they're now usually classed as separate due to their ear shape.

The Phalene's ears are a key distinguishing feature, and they're often referred to as a Toy Spaniel.

The Phalene was also known to be depicted in paintings, including the famous "Venus of Urbino" by Titian, which dates back to 1534.

Small spaniel dogs, including the Phalene, were popular among the higher classes in Europe for companionship.

The Phalene's exact origin is unclear, with France, Belgium, and Italy all claiming it as their own at some point in history.

The breed is still produced in litters of Papillon puppies today, and the AKC classifies the Phalene as a variety of the Papillon.

The Phalene is a small dog breed that reaches a height of eight to eleven inches and weighs seven to ten pounds.

They have a small head and muzzle with very dark, round eyes.

Their ears are their most distinctive feature, with a slight lift at the base of the ear before it falls, setting them apart from the Papillon breed.

The Phalene has a single coat with frills on the ears, chest, tail, and backs of the legs.

It's most often white with patches of a variety of other colors.

Their long tail curls back over the body and is covered with long hair.

The Phalene's small size and delicate features make it a charming companion for those who appreciate its unique characteristics.

The Phalène is a toy breed that measures 20 to 27cms in height and weighs only 3 to 4.5kg. They have a robust build, but still maintain an elegant appearance.

Their head is rounded, with a slim muzzle that protrudes abruptly from their skull. Their inquisitive eyes are a dark brown colour, while their nose must always be black.

Their ears are their most distinctive feature, hanging down to the side of their face and covered in long, silky fur. They were once known as the 'squirrel dog' due to the similarity in tail appearance.

Their coat is long over most of their body, though shortest on the head and legs. It's straight and smooth, and many coat colours are accepted, though white must form the base. Common colours include:

The Phalene is a small, elegant breed with a distinctive appearance. They are toy dogs, measuring 20 to 27cms in height.

Their ears are a key characteristic, and they are typically spaniel ears that hang down to the side of their face. They are covered in long, silky fur.

Their head is rounded, and their slim muzzle protrudes abruptly from their skull. Their dark brown eyes are inquisitive and expressive.

Their tail is beautifully sophisticated, well-plumed and curled, carried upright over their back. They were once known as the ‘squirrel dog’ because of the similarity in tail appearance.

The Phalene has a single coat that is straight and smooth, with long fur over most of their body. The coat is longest on the body and shortest on the head and legs.

Common coat colours include White & Brown, White & Black, White & Red, and Tri-Colour. A blaze on the face is preferred, and markings should be symmetrical.

Here are some accepted coat colours for the Phalene breed:

The Phalène's coat is a beautiful thing, but it does require regular attention to prevent matting and tangling. Brushing is a must, with daily brushing and combing needed to maintain its look.

Phalène owners will also find that their pet sheds moderately, and regular brushing will help control this. A dry bath or dry shampoo can be used when needed, as the breed is known for being odorless.

The Phalène's ear health is also something to consider, with periodic ear checking and cleaning necessary to prevent infections. This is especially true compared to the Papillon, which is also prone to ear issues.

Anal glands may require emptying every few months, a task that can be done at home if you're feeling brave, or at a local vet clinic if you'd rather not deal with the smell.

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The Phalène is a happy, lively, outgoing, affectionate lapdog who also loves to run and play.

They love to cuddle and give kisses, and can be a calm, gentle and patient companion. But they're also a high-energy, fast-moving, go-getting athlete who needs a fair amount of exercise.

Phalènes are extremely easy to train and highly obedient, which is why they've been named the number one toy obedience breed.

They're always ready to play in the house and romp and roll around on the floor, and they love to take long walks or compete in dog-sports like agility.

Phalènes are very social dogs and do not tolerate being left alone for prolonged periods, so they need to be with their family at all times.

They make good watchdogs and will happily bark away at anyone they perceive to be an intruder, often at a very high pitch.

Phalènes can get along well with young children when adequately socialised, but they need proper training and socialisation to become well-adapted, content dogs.

They're not prone to excessive barking and yapping, unlike many other small dogs, and they're known to be very affectionate and obedient.