As we know, those fabulous Papillon ears come two ways: The erect ear (known as the Papillon – butterfly), and the drop ear known as the Phalene (pronounced “fuh Lin,” French for a night moth that droops its wings). The Phalène is the original variety of the breed, the Papillon coming considerably later in the 18th century.
Both varieties can be born in the same litter regardless of the ear-type of the parents, and while many people think the down-eared type is a variant of the up-eared Papillon, we’ve read that it would be more accurate to call the Papillon a “Prick-Eared Phalene” than to call the Phalene a “Drop-Eared Papillon.” We always defer to breed experts and hope that Papillon friends will confirm (or dispute) this.
The two ear types are judged simultaneously in the ring in both the United States and England, but in France, the Phalene is judged separately. We’ve read that at some specialty shows in the United States, they’re also judged separately.
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Actually, the erect and drop-eared varieties are judged together under the name Papillon in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia. The rest of the world (not just France) judges the two varieties (Phalene and Papillon) of the Continental Toy Spaniel (the name of the breed) separately. You are correct that it would be more accurate to call the Papillon an erect eared Phalene, rather than the other way around as the Phalene was the original of the breed and the one depicted in so many of the old master’s paintings dating back to the 1500s. And you are correct that at some specialty shows a separate drop-eared class is offered for Open and Bred By dogs and bitches.
Thanks for the comment, Louann!