10 Things You Didn’t Know about The Papitese
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The Papitese is one of the designer dogs that have become popular in recent decades. Given its name, interested individuals should have no problem guessing its origins. One of the two breeds that contributed to the Papitese would be the Papillon, while the other would be the Maltese. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about the Papitese:
1. Sometimes Called a Maltillon
Designer dogs are not as well-established as their purebred counterparts. As a result, the lack of standardization means that it is common for them to be called by more than one name. Fortunately, the people who breed designer dogs want recognizability, which is why these names tend to be very decipherable. This can be seen in how the Papitese is sometimes called the Maltillon, both of which make their origins clear in an instant.
2. Not Guaranteed to Be a First-Generation Mix
Speaking of which, it is common for people to assume that designer dogs will be a first-generation mix, meaning that they will be 50 percent Papillon and 50 percent Maltillon. However, this isn’t guaranteed to be the case. Due to this, if interested individuals are looking for a Papitese, they need to make sure that they understand the dog’s exact background. Something that can provide them with a better idea of what to expect as the dog owner. Generally speaking, a Papitese with more descent from Papillons will be more similar to that breed. Likewise, a Papitese with more descent from Malteses will be more similar to that breed instead.
3. Can Have Health Problems from Both Sides of Their Heritage
Designer dogs have a reputation for being healthier than their purebred counterparts. This is true to an extent. However, interested individuals need to remember that this is a general trend, meaning that it may or may not be true for a particular dog. Regardless, Papitese owners should know that their dog can inherit common health problems from either side of their heritage, which is something that they will need to watch out for.
4. Its Name Refers to Butterflies
One can make an argument that the Papitese’s name refers to butterflies. After all, Papillon means “butterfly-eared” in French, which is a reference to how their large, well-fringed ears resemble the outline of said insects. Amusingly, some Papillons are born with dropped ears, with the result that they are called Phalene meaning “moth-eared.”
5. Their Ancestors Have a Long Association with the Well-Off
Papillons are an excellent example of a breed that came into existence in pre-modern times. However, they are relatively well-documented when compared with a lot of their counterparts because they have long been associated with nobles, merchants, and other well-off individuals. Since those were the people who tended to be written about and otherwise documented, Papillons and Papillon-looking dogs have received a fair amount of attention as well. For example, there is a Papillon-looking dog in a family portrait of Louis XIV of France. Similarly, Marie Antoinette of France is said to have walked to her execution while carrying a Papillon-looking dog.
6. Descended from Watchful Companions
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Papillons have a reputation for being excellent companions. Something that has carried over to the Papitese. However, it is interesting to note that Papillons are also watchful animals that will alert their owners when they spot something strange in their surroundings.
7. Can’t Claim Maltese Roots
Even though Papiteses were bred from Malteses, they can’t claim Maltese origins. This is because the evidence doesn’t support the idea that Malteses originated in either Malta or the other popular candidates. Instead, Malteses seem to have originated from somewhere in the southern part of Central Europe. Unfortunately, this is one of those cases that might never be solved.
8. Can Claim Ancient Roots
This is because the Maltese has ancient roots. For those who are curious, the breed existed in the classical era, which is why we have both Greek and Roman writers speculating about their origin. One example would be Pliny’s speculation that the dogs were named for the island of Meleda in the Adriatic Sea, while another example would be Strabo’s speculation that the dogs were named for the island of Malta. Regardless, Malteses have a reputation for being companions, so it should come as no surprise to learn that their distant ancestors had a very similar reputation. In fact, it is amusing to note that ancient Malteses were the stereotypical lapdog, particularly when associated with older women of wealth.
9. Can Be Hypoallergenic
Generally speaking, people breed designer dogs for the purpose of introducing desirable characteristics into dogs that wouldn’t have them under other circumstances. Sometimes, these characteristics are meant to bring about a more adorable or otherwise better-looking dog. Other times, these characteristics are more practical in nature. For instance, the Maltese doesn’t shed, which is why the Maltese can be considered a hypoallergenic dog. Something that can’t be said for the Papillon. As such, the desire to create a hypoallergenic Papillon is one of the many motivations that have driven the creation of the Papitese. In any case, some Papiteses are indeed hypoallergenic, though interested individuals should always confirm this to be the case if this is something that matters to their search for a canine companion.
10. Be Careful about Overfeeding the Papitese
Interested individuals should be careful about over-feeding the Papitese. This is because they aren’t particularly active dogs, meaning that they are going to start putting on the pounds if they eat too much day after day. Being overweight is bad because it increases the chances of the dog getting a wide range of serious medical problems, which can shorten their expected lifespan as well as reduce their quality of life. Both of which are things to be avoided as much as possible. On top of this, it should be mentioned that the Papitese is already prone to suffering from joint issues as they get older. Perhaps unsurprisingly, being overweight increases the stress placed upon the joints, thus increasing the chances of joint issues showing up. Something that interested individuals should take extra precautions to prevent.
