If you have performed any kind of Internet search on the
Papillon, you have found that there is a ton of information out
there. A Google search for "Papillon Dog" brings up 150,000 hits! That being said, I don't want to repeat what has already been
written and prefer just to provide my own ideas and recommendations
regarding
books and other resources that are available to the Papillon fancier. Like
everything else you read, take it for what it is, my personal
opinion, and please continue to do your research before deciding to
share your life with a Papillon.
The books that I feel have the best information on the breed are ones that
have been written by people that are long time
fanciers/breeders/exhibitors of the breed. Here are a few:
The Complete
Illustrated Standard of the Papillon and Phalene by Mike
Foster and
D.E. Ashdown, brings together and compares through the use of
text, illustrations and photographs of real dogs, the four breed
standards currently in use around the world, the UK, American,
Australian and FCI Standards (the Canadian one differing only very
slightly from the American one but even in this case, reference is
made to those differences. In full color throughout, it consists
of 168 pages in A4 size (29.7cm x 21 cms - twice the size of
normal handbooks) and contains 560 original pieces of art work,
and 600 photographs most taken specifically for the Book. The Book
comes in its own illustrated presentation box along with
two bookmarks illustrated on both sides, one with papillons and
the other with phalenes. Full details as well as a preview of some
of the artwork can be seen at Mike Foster's website, located at
http://www.papillons60.freeserve.co.uk/standard.htm
I think this
book is an absolute MUST for any serious Papillon fancier, breeder
or exhibitor.
 THE
COMPLETE PAPILLON by David & Carolyn Roe
was written by the Roes of
Sunshoo Papillons.
This book gives a great overview of Papillons and offers grooming
tips and good photos.
There is an in depth analysis of the breed standard, tips on
exhibiting the Papillon, Papillons from around the world and also a
wonderful chapter on Papillon collectables.
A must-read!
PAPILLON PRIMER by
Virginia Newton is also an excellent
book. Published in 1989, it is no longer in print but is still
an outstanding book to have in
any fancier's library. Virginia Newton was a long time
breeder/fancier of Papillons for over 40 years.
 DOG
STEPS: A NEW LOOK by Rachel Page Elliot. Do you understand
how a dog's conformation affects their gait? With clear diagrams and
detailed explanations, this book identifies both good and faulty
movement and their causes.
I recommend this book because it teaches basic structure which I
believe is extremely important. I was lucky enough to be able to
attend a seminar given by Rachel Page Elliot years ago. I feel this
has given me a good solid foundation as to what is under a dog.
 BREEDING
YOUR OWN SHOW DOG by Ann Seranne This is the Breeder's
Bible and you need to have it in your library if you are considering
breeding a litter. Ann Seranne was a Yorkie breeder for many years and her book
covers such important topics as Mechanics of Heredity,
Pedigrees and Breeding Systems, the Mating Game, Pregnancy and
Whelping, the First Three Weeks, Puppy Rearing and Socialization,
and Evaluating Puppies and Young Adults. This classic has been
re-released.
You will find that there are
many other Papillon books on the market at the present time but they have been
written by people who do not have the experience of familiarity of
the breed that would be considered long-term. I don’t believe
that they provide good, accurate information on the Papillon and
cannot honestly recommend any of them. If you
are interested in a show quality Papillon, I do recommend that you
purchase one or more of the Papillon Club of America's publication,
"REFLECTIONS" . Here you can
peruse different photos, read the
history for the previous year or two and decide which breeder
has the ‘look’ and the brains that you are looking for in a
Papillon. This is where
I began my search for a show quality Papillon many, many years
ago.
There are three “P”s of starting out with the best show prospect that you can
afford – Patience, Patience and, yes, more Patience. Check out the
credentials of the breeders you are in touch with and be sure that they are doing what
they say they are doing and have done what they have said they have done. Be
persistent! Do check references! Do not buy from a pet store or a
backyard breeder and be very cautious of those websites that offer
Papillons for sale. I cannot stress enough to do your homework and
buy from a good, ethical breeder.
A good place to start your search is the
Breeder's List on the Papillon Club of America Website:
PCA Breeder's
Directory
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
standard for the Papillon is also a good resource.
AKC Papillon Website
Another excellent site, one
that was used for the education of judges and is the personal work of an AKC judge, is
this one:
Seminar: Judging The Papillon. I like the photos and
information provided there.
The seminar was
conceived with the idea that a discussion of the AKC Standard and
comments from breeders would help illustrate the standard for those
interested in the breed.
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