Wondering are Papillon hypoallergenic dogs? We hate to break it to you, but it’s a no. This breed has a silky, single coat, but they shed their long hair all year round and are prone to heavy shedding during the change of seasons. Papillon may only be small, but they lose too much hair to be allergy-friendly.
Papillon Quick Facts
Hypoallergenic dogs have been growing in popularity over the years — there are hundreds of allergy-friendly breeds today. However, not one of them is considered 100% hypoallergenic.
To fully understand this, let’s delve into what makes a dog hypoallergenic.
Contrary to popular belief, humans are not allergic to dog hair. If you’re sensitive to dogs, it’s their drool, urine, and dead skin cells that are the problem — not their coat!
Specific proteins in the aforementioned offenders can trigger an allergic reaction in humans. And, while this protein isn’t found in dog hair, shed fur can carry the allergens and spread them around your home.
For further information, check out our article, What Is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
Papillon is French for ‘butterfly,’ and these tiny dogs get their name thanks to their butterfly-wing-shaped ears. They also have a gorgeous coat that comes in several different colors.
This breed is predominantly white, with other shades bringing color to their silky fur coat. Common colors include white, lemon, liver, black, sable, silver, red, and tan.
The Papillon has a single coat — there is no soft undercoat hiding beneath the silky top hairs. These dogs have medium to long hair that feels soft to the touch.
So, do Papillons shed a lot? Unfortunately, they do. However, if we look at the Siberian Husky for example, the Papillon sheds very little in comparison. But, they will still lose enough fur to be an issue for people with allergies.
Papillons don’t have an undercoat, so shed considerably less than double-coated breeds. Yet, they do lose fur all year round, plus shed and grow new coats during the change of seasons.
In the spring and fall, you can expect your Papillon to shed more fur than usual. Seasonal shedding occurs so your pooch can remove their summer coat and grow thicker fur for the colder months, and vice versa.
Shedding is a natural part of every dog’s hair growth cycle. It needs to occur for your canine’s coat to remain healthy and to help regulate their temperature throughout the year. Just as us humans lose hair from time to time, even hypoallergenic dogs will shed to a certain degree.
That said, if you want to control the amount of fur your dog is losing, there are certain steps you can take.
Papillons don’t have a double coat, so you don’t need to worry about investing in de-shedding tools to remove the undercoat — but there are other tricks to keep your home as fur-free as possible.
1. Groom Your Papillon
When it comes to grooming, Papillons are pretty low maintenance. These adorable tiny dogs can have their fur clipped back short, or left to grow long in all its glory. Either way, you will only need to brush your Pap every month or so with a soft slicker brush.
If you don’t want fur in your home, brush your Papillon outside. This way, if any hair is released during brushing, it won’t settle on your furniture or the carpets.
2. Occasional Baths
Papillons don’t need to be bathed often, but washing your pooch can help to keep shedding under control. Remember to brush your Pap before they jump in the bath, and only ever use a dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner.
The key to less shedding is keeping your dog’s coat as healthy as possible. Overbathing can make shedding worse, thus make sure you only bathe your Papillon every month or so.
3. Feed Your Papillon a Healthy Diet
A healthy dog equals a healthy coat! If you want to minimize shedding, keep a close eye on your dog’s diet. Feeding your pooch overly processed kibble may save your pocket, but isn’t the best choice for your dog’s health.
Look for foods that are high in protein and have a good mix of vitamins and minerals.
Also, if your dog is allergic to their food, this can make shedding worse. Allergies can lead to skin rashes, flaky skin, and excessive itching, all of which can cause them to shed more than usual.
If you’re concerned that your Papillon has a food allergy, take them to your local vet to be professionally tested and diagnosed.
4. Don’t Forget Supplements
Not all pet parents give their dogs supplements, but fish oil and omega fatty acids can all help to minimize shedding.
If you want to keep your Papillon’s coat and skin as healthy as possible, giving them an omega 3 and 6 supplement every day can be beneficial. These fatty acids improve the moisture and condition of your dog’s skin, and make hair follicles stronger.
The Papillon is energetic, easy to train, and gets on well with children. And, while they aren’t hypoallergenic, the good news for allergy sufferers is that many ‘hypo’ breeds possess this fun and playful personality too.
So, if you want a pocket-sized hypoallergenic pooch that shares a similar temperament to the Papillon — take a look at this list of allergy-friendly small breeds:
The outgoing and affectionate Shih Tzu is comparable in height to the cheerful Papillon. Yet, the former is a little heavier, weighing up to 6 pounds more. But, both breeds are small enough to slot seamlessly into the tiniest of living spaces.
Both breeds share a long coat, yet unlike the Papillon, Shih Tzus are double-coated. What’s more, the Shih Tzu’s fur is often styled in different ways, and they can be found with a bow fastened on top of their cute little head. And, while Shih Tzus require more coat care, they’re still a low-shedding breed.
The Shih Tzu is a happy, friendly, energetic, and playful tiny toy dog — just like the Pap.
Yorkshire Terriers are smaller than Papillons, but share similar energy levels and playful personalities. Where a full-grown Papillon can weigh up to 10 pounds, you’re unlikely to find a Yorkie weighing much more than 7 pounds.
Yorkies also have a silky, long single coat, but they shed less than the Papillon. Their human-like hair will only shed mildly all year round.
Like the Papillon, Yorkies are easy to train, and their high intelligence allows them to pick up new tricks and commands quickly. Their teeny weeny size means Yorkies may not be as good a playmate for small children, but they’re just as playful and friendly as the slightly larger Papillon.
Papipoo
Can’t get the striking Papillon off your mind?
The Papipoo is a cross between the Papillon and the Toy Poodle. This designer dog breed can be hard to come by, but they’re considered more hypoallergenic than the pure Papillon. Poodles are low-shedding and often used to develop allergy-friendlier hybrids of heavy-shedding breeds.
However, there is no guarantee how much a mixed breed is going to shed. But if Papipoos inherit the hypoallergenic coat of their Poodle parent, they shouldn’t shed much.
These dogs are affectionate and friendly, and form strong bonds with their owners. But, the Papipoo can be prone to separation anxiety, which is something you should keep in mind if you plan to spend a lot of time away from your pooch.
Conclusion
The adorable Papillon sheds considerably less than many other breeds, but their coat isn’t completely allergy-friendly. However, the Shih Tzu, Yorkie, and Papipoo are all worthy alternatives. For more toy-sized dogs, check out our full list of small hypoallergenic dogs.
The Papillon sheds mildly throughout the year and is known to lose more fur during the spring and fall. So, are Papillon hypoallergenic dogs? These tiny tail-waggers may only have a single coat of silky guard hair, but they shed too much to be classed hypoallergenic.
Do Papillon Dogs Shed Much?
Well, shedding varies from dog to dog but, on the whole, Papillons are considered to be moderate/high shedders. This breed only has a single coat but they do shed all year round, and a little more during the change of seasons.
Are Papillons High Maintenance?
No. You only need to brush your Papillon every month, and bathed occasionally. These dogs are also easy to train, thanks to their eager-to-please personalities. What’s more, Papillons are friendly and adaptable, thus it would be unusual to end up with a high-maintenance Pap.
Can a Papillon Be Left Alone?
Papillons are companion canines at heart and don’t like being left on their own. This breed can develop separation anxiety and may become distressed and destructive. However, thankfully Paps mix well with other pets. So, if you need to leave them home alone, you may have to find them a companion for company.
How Long Do Papillons Live For?
The average life expectancy of a Papillon is approximately 14 to 16 years.
Do Papillons Like to Cuddle?
Papillons are playful and energetic dogs, but they also love to cuddle up with their owners. These toy dogs are affectionate and loving, and after a good run around, enjoy nothing more than curling up with their owner.
Are Papillons Low Dander?
Unfortunately, Papillons aren’t considered a low dander breed, therefore, aren’t a great choice for those with allergies.
