ear set. (You will end up having to catch them as they will think you have bait or want to play!) Ear set must be evaluated on the ground. There are important points to the exam on the table. However, always examine on the table, but judge them on the ground. Look for a small head with a 1/3 muzzle to 2/3 backskull. You should not see the look of a heavy or coarse headpiece. The standard calls for a fine and tapering muzzle. Even though those little square muzzles look “cute,” they are not cor- rect. Look for dark, round eyes and a black nose with black pigment on all colors. Coat color has no bearing on pigment or eye color. You don’t want to see light eyes (that look like head- lights) or a self-pigmented Papillon. The standard is clear that a scissors bite is required. Pointed or small ears can be hidden by grooming or fringe, so check on the table for a cor- rect, large, round, well-fringed ear. A Phalene ear should never be lifted to erect to check the set. Go down the front legs to check for fine bone and look for hare feet. Also, check for the correct proportion of slightly longer than tall, as the frill on the chest and abundant culottes could make them look longer than they actually are. If you are questioning the length of leg, simply push the belly coat back to properly see the length of leg in proportion to length of body. Look for a medium length of neck, a level
“ABOVE ALL ELSE, OUR HOPE IS THAT YOU ENJOY JUDGING THE PAPILLON. THEY ARE DELIGHTFUL DOGS THAT SHOULD MAKE YOU SMILE AS YOU SHARE THE RING WITH THEM.”
topline, and a high tail set. While on the table, the coat texture will need to be examined. The coat should be fine, silky, and straight. Too of- ten, we see Papillons with cottony or fluffy coats. More coat does not mean better coat when it is incor- rect. Papillons are parti-colored, and the absence or presence of color is not important. Ticking is allowed, as they originated from the Continental
Toy Spaniel. Eyes and ears must be covered in color. Blaze and nose- band are preferred, with symmetry of facial markings desired—but not required. With two dogs of equal quality, the one with the blaze and noseband should be rewarded. Above all else, our hope is that you enjoy judging the Papillon. They are delightful dogs that should make you smile as you share the ringwith them.
I have been involved in Papillons since the early 1990s. My daughter and I have bred many champions as well as multiple Best in Show, multiple Best in Specialty Show, National Specialty Winner, multiple MACH, and multiple OTCH Papillons. I am an AKC Judge of the Toy Group and the Non-Sporting Group, and I am currently work- ing to complete the Hound group, Best in Show, and Junior Showmanship. I am an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Papillon Club of America and the current PCA Judges Education Chairman. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
T op N otch T oys , A pril /M ay 2021• 53
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