Phalene
The drop-eared variety of the Continental Toy Spaniel, the same breed as the Papillon. Exceptionally quick to learn for a toy dog, and inclined to bark when there is nothing to think about.
- Weight
- 1.5–4.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
Weight and lifespan are reference ranges from the breed guide. They vary by sex, lineage and individual dog and do not predict your dog’s ideal weight or lifespan. Read the care descriptions alongside the individual dog’s history.
Background and characteristics
The Phalene is the drop-eared form of the Continental Toy Spaniel, a lap dog of continental European households; the erect-eared form is the Papillon. They are one breed with two ear varieties, and both can appear in the same litter. The name means moth, chosen as a counterpart to the butterfly ears of the Papillon, and the hanging ear is generally considered the older of the two types.
Exercise and play
Do not let the lap-dog history mislead you. This is among the sharpest of the toy breeds, with real appetite for work, and dogs of this type routinely compete in agility and obedience against breeds several times their size. Budget thirty to forty minutes of walking a day plus ten to fifteen minutes of training games or scent work.
Skip the thinking part and the surplus energy usually surfaces as barking; supply it and you have one of the easiest small dogs to live with.
Coat and everyday care
The coat is long, silky and essentially single, with little undercoat. No clipping is needed and brushing two or three times a week maintains it, but the feathering on the ears, chest and hind legs tangles, so check those areas specifically. Shedding is seasonal and modest compared with any double-coated breed.
One thing that differs from the Papillon: a hanging ear ventilates poorly, so check inside the ears weekly and dry them properly after baths and wet walks.
Before bringing this dog home (2)
New owners underestimate how fragile the frame is. Adults weigh two to four and a half kilos, and a jump from the sofa or a misplaced foot can do serious damage. Patellar luxation is common, and progressive retinal atrophy and early dental disease are both worth asking a breeder about.
Temperament is usually bright and outgoing, but shy individuals bark at strangers, so calm, varied socialisation during puppyhood pays for itself.
Home environment and care planning
In a flat, size is a non-issue and noise is the real variable, so habituate to doorbells and hallway traffic early. Put runners on slick floors to protect small knees, and in humid weather make ear drying part of the routine rather than an afterthought.