The last few years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club has seen dog ownership rise to record levels.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Papillon – they are a popular breed in the UK and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the Papillon.
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Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
![Legend has it that Marie Antoinette walked to the guillotine with her beloved Papillon under her arm. It's said that the dog was pardoned for any crimes related to being associated with the former queen and spent the rest of its life in comfort.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmNiMDI1NzdhLWNjNmItNDkxYi05ZDA2LWE0MzdiZTgzZmMxMTo5MzA5YTE1MC02OWU4LTQ5MWItODk0Zi1hOGViYWQ4ZmI2OTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Let the Papillon eat cake
Legend has it that Marie Antoinette walked to the guillotine with her beloved Papillon under her arm. It's said that the dog was pardoned for any crimes related to being associated with the former queen and spent the rest of its life in comfort. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Well known Papillon owners include Christina Aguilera, George Takei, Ron Jeremy and King Henry II. When Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall died in 2014, she left $10,000 to her pampered Papillon, who was called Sophie.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmMwNTRhNmEzLTc4N2EtNDc1ZS1iNmUzLTZiZTA1NTYxOTJhZTpiYmQxZWIwYy00NDZjLTQwNWUtYmU5Ny03ZjgzNzJhMGQyY2Q=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Famous fans
Well known Papillon owners include Christina Aguilera, George Takei, Ron Jeremy and King Henry II. When Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall died in 2014, she left $10,000 to her pampered Papillon, who was called Sophie. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Emmerdale character Edna Birch had a Papillon called Tootsie. She first appeared on screen in 2002, gave birth to a litter of pups in 2007, underwent successful chemotherapy for spleen cancer in 2013, and was adopted by Harriet Finch when Edna died in 2016.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjliZGE3OThjLWIxMjktNDAzNC1hZGQwLTQyNDFmOGNlNWFlNDo5Nzg1NjYzMy01MmEzLTQxZmEtYWEyZC00OWQ2N2EyZjljNGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. A soap star
Emmerdale character Edna Birch had a Papillon called Tootsie. She first appeared on screen in 2002, gave birth to a litter of pups in 2007, underwent successful chemotherapy for spleen cancer in 2013, and was adopted by Harriet Finch when Edna died in 2016. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Stanley Coren's landmark book 'The Intelligence of Dogs' rates the Papillon as the eighth smartest of all the recognised dog breeds.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjVkMWJmZWYxLWU1YmEtNDI2My1iMDFiLTUxMmNjNWQ2ZjQ3ODphOTkzMmM2MS04Mjg3LTRlYjEtOGM5My03OWViNjM4ZGVhZDA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. Clever dogs
Stanley Coren's landmark book 'The Intelligence of Dogs' rates the Papillon as the eighth smartest of all the recognised dog breeds. Photo: Canva/Getty Images