Toy Spaniels of Asia and Europe
Historically, the borders between the countries that now make up the continents of Asia and Europe were constantly changing. So this section is a combination of three breeds which had their origins in the former Asia and Continental Europe. It is likely that these three breeds are derivatives of small hunting Spaniels. Some sources believe the Asian Toy Spaniel was the ancestor of all Toy Spaniels like this grave image from around 200 AD which was worshipped in ancient Chinese temples.
The Tibetan Spaniel
The Tibetan Spaniel was probably the small hunting Spaniel developed by the monks of Tibet. This famous portrait of Lootie who was taken to England in 1860 and founded the modern Pekingese, is undoubtedly of similar type to today's Tibetan Spaniel. Whatever theory you wish to embrace, the history of the Asian Toy Spaniels makes fascinating reading.
Today, this little dog has a body longer than its height at shoulder. It has a smallish head with a slight dome, relatively high set ears, and has cushioning on its muzzle which gives it a soft expression.
The medium length neck is covered by a beautiful mane. Its front legs are slightly bowed, enabling them to fit around its deep ribcage. The high set gaily carried tail is furnished with a beautiful plume. The Tibetan Spaniels' silky coat which can be any colour or mixture of colours, lies flat. Although double coated, it is smooth on the face and fronts of the legs.
It stands around 10 inches high and weighs between 9 and 15 pounds.
The Papillon and Phalene
The Papillon is the Continental or European Toy Spaniel. It derives its name from its large mobile ears which resemble the wings of a butterfly. The ears must be completely pricked or completely dropped. When pricked they must be carried obliquely like the spread wings of a butterfly, therefore the name, Papillon which is the french word for butterfly. When the ears are dropped they must be completely dropped, and this type is known as the Phalene which is the french word for moth.
The Papillon is a dainty, balanced alert little dog. The skull is only slightly rounded with a definite stop and a fine muzzle about one third the length of the entire head. The body appears longer than square if the dog is properly furnished with ruff and hind fringes. The legs have fine bone with hare feet which have tufts of hair extending beyond the toes.
The coat is long, fine and flowing, without undercoat. The outline is completed by a high set tail arched over the back with fringes that fall to the side forming a plume. The Papillon is basically a white dog with patches of any colour except liver. The head markings should be symmetrical around a central narrow blaze which breed enthusiasts say should resemble the body of the butterfly. Certainly the mobile ears completes the impression which gives the breed its name.
The Papillon's ideal height is 8 - 11 inches.
The Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is the Toy Spaniel of Japan. Although some sources believe its origins are Chinese, certainly the Japanese have claimed it since around the 7th Century.
Today the Japanese Chin is a smart elegant little dog with a characteristic look of astonishment which is its most unique characteristic. He differs from the Papilllon in the following ways:
- The fairly large skull is rounded in front and between the ears although never domed rather than the slightly rounded skull of the Papillon.
- The eyes are forward facing, large and dark, with the whites showing in the inner corners, giving it its unique expression.
- The ears are smaller than the Papillon's and should never resemble the wings of a butterfly. Instead the Chin has small ears albeit also well feathered, they are set wide apart high on the head and can only be carried slightly forward.
- The Chin has a level or slightly undershot mouth whereby the Papillon has a normal scissors bite.
- The body is square which is comparatively shorter than the Papillon's despite also being furnished by a profusely feathered tail which curls over the back.
- The coat can only be black and white or red and white, but can never have patches of any other colour or be tri-coloured like the Papillon's coat.
- Although both breeds are dainty, have fine bone and hare feet, the Chin should weigh ideally only 4 - 7 pounds.