The Papillon, also known as the Butterfly Dog, the Continental Toy Spaniel, the Pap, and the Squirrel Dog, is a breed of dog in the Toy Group. This dog breed is widely recognized by their upright ears and long silky hair which produces a butterfly shaped halo around their face. The Papillon was recognized by the AKC in 1915 and AKC approved in 1991.
The most distinctive aspect of the Papillon dog breed is its large ears, which are well fringed with colored, silky hair. The color covers both eyes and the front and back of the ears to give the ideal butterfly look. A white blaze down the forehead and area around the nose is preferred. Tricolors should be black and white, with tan spots over the eyes, inside the ears, and under the tail.