Papillon vs King Charles Spaniel
Compare Papillon and King Charles Spaniel side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Papillon
King Charles Spaniel
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
25 – 28 cm
29 – 30 cm
Weight
3 – 5 kg
3 – 9 kg
Life expectancy
13 – 15 years
10 – 14 years
Child friendly
4/5
4/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
5/5
3/5
Trainability
5/5
3/5
Health
5/5
3/5
Grooming needs
4/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
3/5
Characteristics
Papillon
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Tiny
King Charles Spaniel
Great with kids
Small
Summary
About Papillon
The Papillon is a small, elegant toy dog with large butterfly-like ears, a fine, silky parti-coloured coat and a plumed tail. Lively, intelligent and highly trainable, it enjoys activity and mental stimulation, makes an alert watchdog, needs regular brushing, and often lives into the mid–late teens.
About King Charles Spaniel
Small, aristocratic toy spaniel with a domed head, short nose and large dark eyes, bred as a devoted lap companion. Calm indoors with moderate exercise needs, it thrives on constant human contact. Long, silky coat needs regular grooming; prone to heart, eye and brachycephalic‑related issues.
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