A comparison between the German Spitz, Papillon and Phalene

Drawings A and B are of the 2 year old cream German Spitz (Klein) Terendak Bubble Top (call name Sharlow) owned by Mrs Norma Naylor and bred by Mesdames Dickinson, Taylor and Ventura. Both his parents are champions and he won the Res CC at Crufts in 2005 to his BOB winning father. A1 shows him with the markings, red sable colour and ear fringing of a Papillon, and A2 as a similarly coloured Phalene. In A1 the ears have not been altered in size but these have been given full fringing. In the case of A2, of course, the ears have been given a fully dropped ear carriage.

There are vital differences between the Breed Standards for the Papillon/Phalene and that of the German Spitz but there are also similarities. The German Spitz should not have the pronounced stop of the Pomeranian, the head specifically should not have a sudden break. The profuse   stand-off coat with undercoat is apparent.

In B1 and B2 Sharlow's head study has been repeated first as a Papillon and then as a Phalene. In B1 the pointed small ears of the German Spitz are very evident despite profuse fringing.

There will be a further sequence featuring a Long.  Coat Chihuahua, and a comparison between the Phalene and an old fashioned type of CKCS. Here also for comparison with the Papillon/Phalene is a drawing of a 1930's Tibetan Spaniel. This was a red/white parti-colour; his markings are reproduced from an old b/w photograph. At this time the Papillon/Phalene and the Tibetan Spaniel had much more in common than they do now. Although type in the Tibetan Spaniel varied, the breed was in general much higher on the leg and finer.

This example shows clearly the undershot mouth which is a requirement of the breed standard. Some had fully erect ears. The Fall photo of a Tibetan Spaniel which illustrated the breed in the "Observer Book of Dogs" for many years shows a fine boned, lightly built, long legged Tibetan Spaniel strongly resembling some Phalenes seen even now.

These sequences of drawings when complete will show points of general similarity between the Papillon/Phalene and other breeds, as well as instances of divergence from correct breed type which should be guarded against.