- Dog breeds
- Toy breed
- Toy group
- Origin: France and Belgium
The Papillon is a dainty, fine-boned toy spaniel named for its butterfly-shaped ears. The AKC breed standard sets a height of 8–11 in at the withers, and Purina lists adults at 5–12 lb. As a toy breed, the Papillon usually reaches adult weight at around 8–10 months. This page includes a Papillon growth chart by age, a size calculator preset for the breed, and sourced guidance on lifespan, health, exercise and feeding.
How big do Papillons get?
According to Purina and the AKC standard, adult Papillons weigh 5–12 lb (2.3–5.4 kg) and stand 8–11 in (20–28 cm) at the shoulder, with the same range for males and females. That makes the Papillon a Toy breed on our size scale.| Papillon | Weight | Height |
|---|
The AKC standard sets a height of 8–11 in at the withers and gives no weight.
Many healthy pets fall outside the show standard, especially from working or pet lines. Use body condition, not the scale alone, to judge a healthy weight.
Papillon growth chart: weight by age
| Age | Typical weight |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 2.8 lb1.3 kg |
| 3 months | 4.6 lb2.1 kg |
| 4 months | 5.7 lb2.6 kg |
| 6 months | 7.4 lb3.4 kg |
| Adult (8–10 months) | 8.5 lb3.9 kg |
When is a Papillon full grown?
Toy breeds like the Papillon reach their adult weight at about 8–10 months. Most of the growth happens early: by 6 months a typical Papillon is around 7.4 lb, after which weight gain slows down as the dog fills out.How we calculate this: each figure is the midpoint of the breed’s adult weight range multiplied by the share of adult weight a toy-size puppy typically reaches at that age (WALTHAM growth standards, Salt et al., 2017). It is the same model used by our Dog Size Calculator.
Papillon puppy size calculator
Enter your puppy’s current age and weight to estimate how big your Papillon will be as an adult. The calculator is preset for the breed.Dog Size Calculator
Predict how big your puppy will get — estimated adult weight from its current age and weight.
Best from ~8 weeks on; very young pups are less predictable.
Weigh on a flat scale, ideally before a meal.
Not sure? Use the size of the parents, or the larger parent for a mixed breed.
Males often finish a little heavier than females.
| Age milestone | Projected weight |
|---|
Dog breed weight chart (lb & kg) by size
| Size | Adult weight | Full-grown | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | 2–12 lb / 1–5.5 kg | ~8–10 mo | Chihuahua, Maltese, Toy Poodle, Pomeranian, Yorkie |
| Small | 12–25 lb / 5.5–11 kg | ~10–12 mo | Shih Tzu, French Bulldog, Mini Schnauzer, Mini Aussiedoodle |
| Medium | 25–50 lb / 11–23 kg | ~12–14 mo | Beagle, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Std. Aussiedoodle* |
| Large | 50–100 lb / 23–45 kg | ~15–18 mo | Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Boxer |
| Giant | 100 lb+ / 45 kg+ | ~18–24 mo | Great Dane, Mastiff, St Bernard, Newfoundland |
*Standard Aussiedoodles span medium–large (≈40–70 lb / 18–32 kg); Mini Aussiedoodles are small (≈15–35 lb / 7–16 kg).
How it works: puppies of a given size reach a predictable share of their adult weight at each age. The tool divides your puppy's current weight by that share to estimate the adult figure, shown as a range.
Disclaimer: estimates for planning only — not veterinary advice. Growth varies with genetics, sex, nutrition and neuter status, especially for mixed and giant breeds. Keep records and consult your vet.
Sources: Salt et al., PLOS ONE 2017 (WALTHAM growth standards) · AKC — when puppies finish growing
Papillon temperament and personality
Papillons are bright, happy and alert little dogs, far sturdier and more athletic than they look. They are among the most trainable toy breeds and often excel in agility, obedience and trick training. They are affectionate with their family and usually friendly with visitors, though some are reserved at first. Their small size makes them vulnerable to rough handling, so they do best with adults or gentle, older children.-
Energy level4/5
-
Trainability5/5
-
Good with children3/5
-
Shedding3/5
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Barking3/5
Ratings are BarnCalc’s own 1–5 scale, based on the breed standard and the sources cited below. Individual dogs vary.
History and origin
Small toy spaniels appear in European paintings from the Renaissance onward, often sitting on the laps of noblewomen. These dogs were popular in the royal courts of France, Spain and Italy. Early dwarf spaniels had drooping ears, a type now called the Phalène, or moth; the erect-eared Papillon, French for butterfly, became more common over time. Both ear types are part of the same breed, which the AKC recognized in 1915.Papillon lifespan and health
Most Papillons live 14–16 years. Want to know how old that is in human terms? Try our dog years calculator, or estimate an individual dog’s outlook with the dog life expectancy calculator.Health conditions documented in the breed
- Patellar luxation
- Open fontanel (a soft spot in the skull)
- Eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy
- Heart disease
- Dental disease
Health tests to ask a breeder for
The breed’s parent club recommends these screenings for breeding dogs (ask to see the results for both parents):- Patella evaluation
- Cardiac exam
- Eye exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist
This is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog.
Exercise and grooming
| Exercise | 30 minutes of walks and play a day; loves agility and tricks |
| Grooming | Brush 2–3 times a week |
| Coat | Long, fine, silky, flowing single coat with no undercoat; fringed butterfly ears |
| Low shedding | No – light to moderate shedder |
| Apartment living | Very good |
How much should a Papillon eat?
A healthy, neutered adult Papillon weighing 5–12 lb needs roughly 210–400 kcal a day. With a typical dry food of about 375 kcal per cup, that is about 0.6–1.1 cups a day, split into two meals. Active or intact dogs need more, while older or less active dogs need less. Always check the feeding guide on your food’s label.Breeding and pregnancy
Like all dogs, a pregnant Papillon carries her puppies for about 63 days from ovulation. Most females come into heat about every 6 months.Is a Papillon right for you?
A great fit for
Apartment dwellers, older owners, and people who want a small but trainable, active companion.Think twice if
Homes with toddlers or boisterous large dogs, or owners who want a quiet, sedentary lapdog.Papillon FAQ
When is a Papillon full grown?
How big will my Papillon puppy get?
How much should a 6-month-old Papillon weigh?
How long do Papillons live?
What is the difference between a Papillon and a Phalène?
Do Papillons shed?
More dog calculators
- Dog size calculatorHow big will my puppy get?
- Dog years calculatorDog age in human years
- Life expectancyLifespan by breed and size
- Gestation calculatorDue date and whelping window
- Heat cycle calculatorNext heat and fertile days
- Raw dog food calculatorDaily portions by weight
Sources
- Purina breed profile
- AKC official breed standard
- FCI breed standard
- AKC: breed club recommended health tests
- Salt C. et al. (2017), growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes, PLOS ONE
Main photo: kazu end, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Reviewed by grupo barncalc.com on November 7, 2026. Estimates are for planning only and are not veterinary advice.