Also known misleadingly as the Drop-eared Papillon (when, historically speaking, the Papillon should have been called the Prick-eared Phalne) this breed of lapdog was also known as the Epagneul Nain, the Dwarf Spaniel or the Continental Toy Spaniel, or sometimes as the Epagneul Nain Continental, Phalne. The French word `phalne’ means ‘moth, likening the folded ears of the dog to folded moth-wings.
This graceful little animal was one of the top lapdogs of continental Europe between the 13th and the 18th centuries. Then, during the reign of Louis XVI of France, an erect-eared version was developed in Belgium and given the name of Papillon (see separate entry). The appeal of this new breed, with its stylish ‘butterfly ears’, was so great that it quickly eclipsed its direct ancestor. For the next 200 years the Papillon was the favoured breed, but the Phalne did not disappear completely and can still be seen today, although in greatly reduced numbers.
In some countries the Phalne and the Papillon are exhibited as two varieties of one breed, but elsewhere they are considered separately. (For the sake of consistency, it would seem that if the Norwich and Norfolk Terriers are to be classed as two different breeds on their ear-shape, the Papillon and Phalne should be treated in the same way.)
There has been great speculation concerning the country of origin of this breed. The situation is so confusing that some authors capitulate and say simply that it comes from `continental Europe’. Others insist that it is a French breed because of its name; a Belgian breed, because it was so popular in that country; a Spanish breed, because of the ‘spaniel’ element; and even a Mexican breed, because it looks rather like the Long-haired Chihuahua. The best guess, however, is that it originated in central Italy, where its ancestors may well have been ensconced since the days of ancient Rome. We know, for example, that Louis XIV of France employed the services of an Italian dog-dealer called Giovani Filliponi to provide his court with the pick of the best examples of these little dogs, carefully transported from Italy to France in small cages on the backs of mules.
This is a delightfully sprightly little dog which is proud, extroverted and appealingly possessive of its owner.
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