Breed Trends Around the World
By Roseann Fucillo
This article first appeared in March 2007 AKC GAZETTE

To subscribe to the Gazette, please visit akc.org/pubs.

With the popularity of the Papillon and Phalene ever increasing, so too are the many types seen in the breed rings around the world, giving us an indication of breeding trends.  Years ago, particularly in the USA, there were more “long and low” types.  Today the trend again is on exaggeration, but this time, on short backs, long legs, overly extended rears, extremely long necks, (often “U” shaped), flat tails, and the ever-increasing long muzzles.  What is missing, is that beautiful profile of a moderate dog, slightly longer than high, which is now replaced with an exaggerated type that can no longer move like the Sporting dog that once originated from the Spaniel family, but who now can merely mince and plod along.

Another trend is to breed for extremely huge fringed ears. Many are sacrificing soundness for the sake of “huge” ears, not the “large” ears, which our breed standard calls for.  What we are seeing is huge ears that are not well shaped, nor well positioned, but rather long and thin, more like a donkey, certainly not reflective of the correct butterfly shape with rounded tips that our breed is known for.

Our breed is not one of exaggeration. However, judges seem to be misled thinking a very long neck is “elegant,” but it is not correct, since our standard states the neck is of “medium length.”  Long necks may look lovely on the go around, just as a shorter back may appear attractive with long legs, kind of pony-like, but they are not correct!!!! You are getting a whole new look, certainly not the correct proportion for our breed.

From friends who have gone to Crufts and other shows in the UK, the trend there seems to be that the English do not groom as much as we Americans do.  They usually don’t believe in a little trimming, even on the feet to tidy them up or on the backs of the hocks.  Compared to other countries, however, they have more beautiful heads, but seem to have problems with coat texture and front movement.  

While the Australian standard states the size between 8-11 inches, their average size falls between 9 and 10 inches.  They also have the word "Dainty" appearing in their standard several times, however, according to breeders who are showing in Australia, the trend there is short necks and short legs. Loose shoulders combined with short legs, make the natural movement of the Papillon look unbalanced. As a result, some appear to lop or swing in the front.

The Papillon is fine-boned and dainty, but the trend in Scandinavia seems to be of a larger sized dog, averaging around 11 inches, coarse in bone and head type, but with extremely long ear fringes.  The judges seem to think the larger heavier boned types move better, are “more healthier” and synonymous with soundness, more so than their finer-boned counterparts. This is sad to hear coming from these countries that have done so much to improve the health of this breed by practically eliminating PRA from their breeding stock through careful testing and breeding selection.  It would be unfortunate to see them lose their lovely breed type. Trends around the world may vary, but the overall look of the breed should not.
 
Published with permission from the AKC GAZETTE.  This article is not to be copied, whole or in part, without the written permission of the author.

Roseann Fucillo