Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Dachshund |  Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Germany | Descended from the small spaniels of Renaissance Europe, the breed appears in paintings by Titian and Rubens beside noblewomen. The erect, fringed ears that give it its name, French for butterfly, became the defining feature in the late nineteenth century. |
| Group | Hound | Toy |
| Size | Small | Toy |
| Coat | Smooth, Wire or Long, single or slightly harsh coat depending on type | Long, silky, single coat with fringed ears and a plumed tail; white with patches of any colour |
| Weight | 4 to 12 kg | 3 to 4.5 kg |
| Height | 20 to 27 cm | 20 to 28 cm |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 yrs | 13 to 16 yrs |
| Exercise need | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Affection | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Grooming needs | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| Barking | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Good with children | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Trainability | 5/10 | 9/10 |
| Prey drive | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Copes alone | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 1/10 |
| Shedding | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| Flat fit | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Running cost | €80 / month | €113 / month |
Dachshund verdict
A bold, characterful hunting breed in a long, low body, needing careful back protection for life.
Get one if
- · Owners wanting a small but characterful dog
- · Households able to fit ramps and manage weight carefully
- · People who enjoy training a strong willed companion
Think again if
- · Households wanting a dog that never barks at visitors
- · Families with toddlers likely to pick the dog up roughly
- · Owners unwilling to restrict jumping and stairs
Papillon verdict
A big-dog brain behind the butterfly ears.
Get one if
- · Owners who want a small dog they can actually train and do activities with
- · Flats and small homes, with barking managed from the start
- · Households with gentle, older children or adults only
Think again if
- · Families with toddlers or boisterous young children
- · Owners wanting a passive lap dog that needs no training
- · Households out all day; the breed bonds hard and dislikes long solitude