The Papillon (PAP ee yawn) is a lively breed of very small dogs that love to do tricks and follow their owners everywhere. The dogs pictured are both Papillons. A Papillon with drop ears is called a Phalene (fah LEHN). In French, Papillon means “butterfly,” and Phalene means “moth.”

Question

Paintings and historical records show that hundreds of years ago, all Papillons were Phalenes. If Papillons were only bred to other Papillons, how could the variety with stand-up ears first appear?

Answer 1

The emergence of the Papillon with stand-up ears from a breed that originally consisted solely of Phalenes can be explained through the concept of genetic variation and mutation. Here are a few potential scenarios that could lead to the development of the Papillon type:

1. Natural Genetic Variation: Even in a breed where specific traits are predominantly selected for, such as drop ears in Phalenes, natural genetic variation can occur. Within a purebred population, there may be recessive genes or variations that, when combined, produce stand-up ears. If a dog with a genetic predisposition to stand-up ears mated with a Phalene, the offspring could inherit the genes for the stand-up ear trait.

2. Crossbreeding: Historical records and breeding practices might indicate that some Papillons were inadvertently crossbred with other breeds that had stand-up ears. Such crossbreeding could introduce new traits, including the ear structure. If the puppies from these litters were bred back to Phalenes, it could lead to the emergence of the Papillon variety.

3. Selective Breeding: Breeders may have started selecting for specific traits that they found appealing in some dogs, leading to the intentional or unintentional development of the Papillon with stand-up ears over time. Breeders might have chosen to mate individuals with the desired characteristics of appearance and temperament, resulting in the separation of the breeds by ear type.

4. Mutation: Genetic mutations can occur spontaneously and give rise to new traits. If a mutant was born with the gene for upright ears, breeders might have noticed this unique feature and began to breed these individuals more selectively, eventually solidifying the distinct ear type within the Papillon breed.

These processes highlight how new varieties within a breed can develop, even when the initial population appears to display a uniform trait. Over time, the selective pressures from breeding practices and natural genetic variations can lead to the differentiation of breeds or varieties like the Papillon and Phalene.