How Much Do Papillons Weigh? With Size & Growth Chart
Updated on
Click to Skip Ahead
The famous butterfly dog, the Papillon, is a stunning toy breed known for their unique appearance and large, fluffy, wing-shaped ears. They are also known for their lively spirit and loving personality. When they reach adulthood, this tiny dog measures between 8 and 11 inches at shoulder height, which makes them perfect for people looking for a small breed.
But how much do Papillons weigh? The average weight of these little dogs is between 5 and 10 pounds. That said, several things can affect their final weight.
In this article, we talk more about Papillons, their weight and growth, the things that affect their weight, and tips on how to weigh your dog at home.
Papillon Overview
The Papillon is a miniature companion dog and one of the oldest toy breeds known to humans. They have been around for at least 700 years and were developed as a crossbreed between Spaniels and existing toy breeds. These dogs found their way onto the trading routes of Asia and Europe, and they were popular among royalty.
Nowadays, Papillons are well-known for their loving and caring personalities, which is why many people choose them as pets. These dogs are intelligent, friendly, social, and affectionate, making them good companions for anyone looking for a fun, energetic dog.
These dogs are mainly famous for their butterfly-like ears. However, some representatives of this species may have ears turning downward instead of upward. In the U.S.A., those dogs are also considered Papillons, but in Europe, Papillons with ears turning downward are considered a separate species, the Phalene.
- The name Papillon translates to butterfly in French.
- Many famous women, including Marie Antoinette, were admirers of Papillon dogs.
- Papillons were previously known as Dwarf Spaniel Dogs.
- Papillons weren’t fully represented in the AKC until 1935.
- Papillons have gained extreme popularity in Spain.
Papillon Size and Growth Chart
Both regular Papillons and Phalene dogs (Papillons with downward-growing ears) typically grow at the same pace and have a similar weight range, meaning that the information here applies to both types.
| Age | Weight Range |
| 3 months | 3.3–4.4 pounds |
| 6 months | 5.7–7.9 pounds |
| 12 months | 6–10 pounds |
When Does a Papillon Stop Growing?
In the dog community, all puppies are considered adult dogs as soon as they become 1 year old. However, their body is still developing, and it can take up to 24 months for many breeds to stop growing.
Small and toy breeds like Papillons grow much faster than large breed dogs. They can reach full maturity between 6 and 8 months old.
Factors Affecting the Weight of a Papillon
Most adult Papillons weigh between 5 and 10 pounds. While breed plays a big role in determining how heavy your Papillon will be, several other factors can affect the weight of your dog, including:
- Genetics — The genetics of your Papillon’s parents will affect the weight of your Papillon as an adult.
- Gender — Most female Papillons are smaller and weigh less than most male Papillons.
- Nutrition —Good nutrition and a well-balanced diet are essential for any growing dog. Papillons that get proper nutrition and enough minerals and vitamins in their diet are likely to have a healthier weight than those that overeat or don’t eat enough.
- Exercise — Papillons that get regular exercise will grow healthier, develop faster, and usually have a better weight than those dogs that don’t exercise enough. Dogs that don’t exercise could become overweight and experience health issues like obesity and diabetes.
- Health — Dogs that suffer injuries and illnesses may have an impacted growth rate and gain more weight/lose weight faster than healthy dogs.
Ideal Diet for Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Like all dogs, Papillons are carnivores, meaning they mainly rely on animal-based foods and require animal-based protein in their diets.
For your Papillon to maintain a healthy weight, it’s best to provide them with a well-balanced diet with high-quality ingredients. Avoid giving them scraps and junk food, as that could lead to weight gain.
Their diet should be high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, contain a certain amount of fat, and be low in carbohydrates. It’s also good to feed your Papillon at the same time and place every day to reduce the possibility of overeating.
Besides providing a healthy diet, you can do other things to help your dog manage their weight:
- Keep your Papillon physically and mentally stimulated.
- Limit treats, and eliminate the chances of your dog getting access to human food scraps.
- Measure your dog’s food, and monitor your dog while they’re eating to prevent them from overeating.
- Adjust and customize your dog’s diet if necessary.
How to Weigh Your Papillon
Usually, veterinarians typically weigh your dog when they go to a regular check-up. However, some pet parents might also like to weigh their dogs at home.
Since Papillons are a toy dog breed, they’re usually lightweight enough that you can weigh them on a bathroom scale. After you place the scale on a flat surface, you have two options; either place your dog directly on the scale (which could be tricky), or do the following:
- Weigh yourself first without your dog.
- Pick up your Papillon, and weigh yourself holding the dog.
- Subtract your weight from the combined weight of you and your dog, and you’ll know precisely how much your Papillon weighs.
Conclusion
Papillons are toy breed dogs, meaning they’re quite small and can weigh anywhere between 5 and 10 pounds in adulthood, which makes them excellent pets for people looking for small and lightweight dogs.
However, don’t let their size fool you; Papillons are extremely energetic and can even be feisty!
Featured Image Credit: birgl, Pixabay
