What happens when you mix a papillon and a dachshund? You get the papshund…a fun-loving companion with intelligence and loyalty.
Learn all about this wonderful crossbreed in this article.
What is a Papshund?
A papshund is a crossbreed between a papillon and a dachshund. It carries traits from both breeds to varying degrees. The cool thing is, you can tell which breed a particular papshund leans towards based on its appearance. That means if it looks more like a papillon, it most likely will act more like a papillon and vice versa.
Papillon
The papillon breed is named after the trademark butterfly-like appearance of its ears. Papillon is a French word which means butterfly. Weighing in around 7-15 lbs., the papillon ranges from toy to small size. It is mild tempered and a very loyal companion. If anything, these dogs do not like to be left alone. They prefer the company of their pack but will settle for anyone nearby. They get along well with other pets and children.
Dachshund
Also known as the wiener dog, the dachshund has a long body and muzzle with short legs. The wide eyes on these companion pups are an endearing feature that often pull on the heart strings of their humans. Dachshunds are intelligent, loyal, and, despite their looks, very athletic. Some dachshunds are bred for racing and agility competitions. But they are also happy to curl up next to their owners.
Papshund Appearance
If you scan the web for pictures of papshunds, you will quickly find that physical traits from both originating breeds are randomly assigned. The long body and butterfly ears are almost always present, but the length of the legs and hair color vary.
The papshund is a small dog typically around the 7-12 lbs. range. They have very manageable hair that does not need much grooming beyond the wash and brush.
Papshund Personality and Temperament
The papshund is a fun-loving dog that enjoys the company of its pack. It is a lap dog that always wants to be near their owner. Some suffer from separation anxiety and are not comfortable without another being near them. Keeping this in mind, they make a great pet for individuals who stay home most of the day or for families that live in a busy house with a revolving door. They also love to hang out with other pets (as long as they are friendly).
Papshunds are not on the yappy side, but they will bark at strangers. Early training reduces the protective barking instinct.
Papshunds are very loyal dogs that want to please their owners. They are highly trainable and will even do tricks for treats.
Are Papshunds Good Off-Leash Dogs?
Yes, typically! We cannot speak for every individual dog, but in general, the separation anxiety, yearning to be near their humans, and low wanderlust make these dogs a great off-leash dog that will stay close. To read more about great off-leash dogs, see our post ‘Best Off-Leash Dogs For You’.
Grooming the Papshund
It is such a breeze to groom papshund hair. Washing and brushing are the main responsibilities. The need for clipping is rare. These pups do shed but nothing that a robo-vacuum can’t handle.
The difficulties with grooming a papshund come to brushing the teeth and clipping the nails.
Brushing Papshund Teeth
Unlike larger dogs, this small breed does not enjoy chewing on hard treats. Hard treats help scrape the limestone-like plaque off dog teeth and increase saliva production to regulate the pH balance within their mouths.
Many papshunds also are not mouth-breathers. This means that they only pant when they are hot or nervous. Dark, warm, moist environments are a key place for microbial growth…leading to dental issues.
So, the solution to this is a doggie dental brush. Since papshunds have little mouths, you may want to go with a small size or one that fits around a small finger. Our favorite toothbrush kit for beginners is the BC Pets Dog Dental Care Kit.
We love it because it comes with:
- two finger brushes – these are silicon finger covers with small bristle bumps. Papshunds are not known to bite, especially not their humans, so it is safe to stick your finger in their mouth.
- a 2-ended toothbrush – with a small side and a large side using this toothbrush helps you determine what size head fits best in your dog’s mouth
- a dual-head toothbrush – allows you to brush both sides of the teeth at once…would be great to get this for human brushing
What about toothpaste for dogs?
Although there are many toothpastes made for dogs, there is a chance that your dog could have a negative reaction. So, this is one of those topics that you bring up to your veterinarian. Truth be told, brushing alone is highly effective at preventing dental issues. You typically do not want to turn to a dog toothpaste unless directed by a vet.
Clipping Papshund Nails
Clipping papshund nails are the other special grooming responsibility that will take some time. If you do not pay your vet or groomer to do so, then you may want to clip at home. We love the Dudi Dog Nail Clippers for small breeds because they come with a safety guard that helps prevent cutting off too much nail and getting too close to the quick.
Some papshunds are nervous around clippers and may respond better to nail grinders (given some exposure training with their favorite food). One of the best reviewed nail grinders for dogs is the Dremel 7300 PT 4.8V Cordless Pet Dog Nail Grooming & Grinding Tool.
But, we really like the Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder https://amzn.to/2VO5EMk because it adjusts for different size nails and operates at a low noise level (50dB).
Health of the Papshund
Like many breeds, the papshund has its fair share of potential health problems. Here are some common problems linked to their heritage:
- Collapsing trachea – this condition affects many small dogs and occurs later in their life. Chronic coughing followed by hacking are the signs. This can be managed with medications or treated with surgery.
- Dental disease – as we mentioned before, papshunds are closed-mouth non-chewers who need regular dental attention (even if it is just rubbing their teeth with gauze) to ward away dental issues.
- Digestive issues – it is not uncommon for illness to be presented in GI problems of a papshund. Irregular bowel movements should be a trigger to go to the vet.
- Heart disease – mitral valve disease is a common issue in papillons and this can be observed in papshunds
- Skeletal injury – papshunds have an astounding high jump and are able to jump up on furniture. The repeated dismount can cause injuries to the skeletal system, especially if their nails are not trimmed.
Activity Level of the Papshund
Unlike many small dogs, papshunds do not tend to be hyper. However, they are quite physically fit and love to be exercised. Similar to dachshunds, they are sprinters…not long-distance runners. They can walk for hours and a good pace.
Hiking is a great activity for papshunds as they can jump over obstacles, balance, and jump up onto waist-high boulders. Their high jump is remarkable.
Although the papshund can make a great apartment dog, it does need regular physical activity. You will be able to tell if they are not getting enough if they start having behaviors at home (fidgety, disobedience, urinating/pooping in the home, etc.). It is amazing what a couple of consistent walks a day will do for you and your pet.
Harnessing a Papshund
Papshunds do best when led with a harness instead of a collar. This is not only due to their increased risk of collapsing trachea but because they are small dogs. A little tug to you could be a damaging movement to their spinal cord.
Our favorite harness for small dogs is the Puppia Soft Dog Harness because it comes in different sizes based on chest and neck girth and is adjustable. Fit is everything when it comes to a functional harness.
Conclusion
The papshund is an amazingly warm, loving dog that is relatively low maintenance and a wonderful companion. Their intelligence and personality make them a prime candidate for training and in-door living. If you are looking for an adorable furry friend for yourself or your family, the papshund may be the dog for you.
