Mixed Breed Icon
  • Activity Level: moderate
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  • Shedding Level: low
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  • Grooming Level: moderate
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  • Trainability: high
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  • Good for Novice Owners: high
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  • Adaptability: high
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  • Kid/Pet Friendly: often
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  • Prey Drive: low
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  • Watchdog: chill
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  • Average Size: Small
  • Average Lifespan: 14-16 years

Papillon Mix Dog Breed Information

Overview

Temperament

Adaptability

Health

Owner Experience

Grooming

Activity Level

Size

Life Span

A Papillon Mix is a cross between a Papillon and another dog breed. Because a mix can inherit any combination of traits from their parents, it’s important to ask the breeder about the other parent in the mix.

Should a Papillon Mix take after their Pap parent, they will be a small dog with a big, charming personality that loves being around their families and is affectionate with them.

Papillons are known for their charming, comedic, and playful personalities. They are affectionate and loving little dogs that get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They even tend to warm up and be open with strangers as long as they have been properly socialized.

If the other parent breed in the mix is similar, then you can expect the same from a Papillon Mix. You do still want to talk to the breeder about the other parent as they will have potential traits you want to be aware of. The breeder should have started some socialization and training, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home.

Papillons are highly adaptable dogs. They do well in apartments as well as larger homes. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and cold. Their small size tends to make them more sensitive to cold, and it’s a good idea to find the right mix of winter dog products for them. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

If the other parent breed is also highly adaptable, then you can expect a Papillon Mix to be the same. The other parent breed will still have their own quirks and traits that they will introduce into the mix, so you do want to ask the breeder about them.

A mixed breed can sometimes be healthier than a purebred, but it’s not a guarantee and it relies on good breeding practices. From the Papillon side, potential health concerns to be aware of in a Papillon Mix include eye issues, heart problems, and luxating patella.

Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to make sure they’re not passing issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health of both of the parents and about any health tests that have been done.

Papillons are highly trainable dogs that are intelligent and eager to please. This makes them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. If the other parent breed is also easy to train, then you can expect the same from a Papillon Mix.

If the other parent breed introduces potential challenges when it comes to training, then you may want to be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes. There are several benefits of puppy training classes, so they tend to be a good idea even if you don’t need them for training.

A Papillon Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a mix of both. If they end up with the Pap coat, they will have a longer coat that sheds low to moderately throughout the year, requires brushing a few times a week and a bath as needed, and needs grooming every 4-6 weeks.

In addition to coat care, you also need to care for your Papillon Mix’s nails, ears, and teeth. Cutting your dog’s nails once or twice a month keeps them from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections.

As a small dog breed, a Papillon Mix is more prone to developing dental diseases. Because of this and because gum disease in dogs is serious, good dental care early and throughout your dog’s life is essential. Daily tooth brushing or use of an enzyme toothpaste, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal.

Although they are a small dog breed that will tire out quickly, the Papillon is one of the most athletic toy breeds and they sit in a moderate energy range. Daily walks plus some playtime throughout the day are usually enough, but they’ll likely be up for more activity if you are.

If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a Papillon Mix to have a moderate activity level as well. If the other parent breed sits in a lower or higher range, then you will need to be prepared for that range in a Papillon Mix.

A fully-grown Papillon Mix usually stands 8-11 inches tall and weighs 5-10 pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. Although it’s not a guarantee, you can also meet the mother in person to get an idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Papillon Mix.

Papillons generally live for 14-16 years on average. Although the other parent breed can affect this slightly, but you should be able to expect a similar average life span from a Papillon Mix.