King of the World

Prized Papillon, Ch. Loteki Supernatural Being, "Kirby" recently posed with front paws perched on the edge of the winner's cup much like Leonardo DiCaprio teetered on the front of the Titanic. Kirby didn't yap DiCaprio's famous line, "I'm King of the World," but he certainly appeared regal as the 123rd annual Westminster Kennel Club's 1999 Best in Show winner. Unaffected by the flashbulbs of a world wide press corps, eight-year-old Kirby mugged shamelessly for 30 minutes of photographs.

Selection of a Papillon as the Best in Show may surprise some since, according to the American Kennel Club. The breed dropped in popularity rank from 52nd place in 1997 to 57th in 1998. However, Papillon owners, (pronounced Pah-pee-yown), would argue in favor of the choice. Papillons are bright, affectionate and determined to please. Since they are bred as companions, they will sit by their master for hours, although, they would prefer to be on a lap.

The history of the Papillon dates to the 14th century when, due to their expense, they became lap dogs for royalty. Images of the Papillon were memorialized in tapestries and paintings by a who's who of Renaissance artists, including Boucher, Fragonard, Giotto, Murillo, Rubens, Titian, Velazquez, Watteau. In Royal portraits, a Papillon often rested on the lap of a Queen, stood by a young prince or posed next to a princess.

Legend reports Marie Antoinette took one of her Papillons to the stairs of the guillotine, handing her comforting companion to the executioner just before her death. King Henry III of France slept with his three favorite Papillons. He often wore a small basket around his neck which contained the tiny dogs. According to witnesses, Lilene, his star Papillon, nearly saved his life when she barked incessantly as a Monk approached the King. The King was so perturbed at her disobedience that he locked her and the other basket mates into a nearby room. The Monk took the opportunity to stab the King but because Lilene continued barking the offender was captured. The King died but only after lamenting that he should have heeded his dear Lilene's warning. She was in bed with him during his final hours. With stories like these, it is no wonder the Papillon has been deemed the Royal dog of the Courts of Europe.

In fact, the Papillon has many nicknames, including Royal Toy Spaniel, Continental Toy Spaniel, Dwarf Spaniel, Belgian Toy, Little Squirrel Dog and Butterfly Dog. The dog was developed from the Continental Toy Spaniel. After years of breeding, the large ears became erect like butterfly wings and the dog became known as Papillon which means butterfly in French. Many paintings today depict the dog surrounded by butterflies. The breed also has a separate variety of dog which has drop ears and more closely mirrors the spaniel ancestry. This variety is known as Phalene, which means moth in French. Both varieties may be born from the same litter.

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