Papillons having cat-like tendencies?

[Cali Mae]

I don't know if it's just Cali, but based on what I've read, it seems pretty common for Papillons to act like cats at times, haha.

Like, if you pick her up, she'll hold onto you in a death grip and crawl up onto your shoulder. She also likes to stalk and pounce on her toys and she's just in love with the cats. Plus I could've sworn I just heard her purr... or at least make a similar sound, haha.

Do any other Papillon owners have cattish paps?

 

[puppydog]

Both of mine meow

 

[Laurelin]

Yes, they're really odd dogs. lol

Mine purr when they're happy, especially Summer. It definitely sounds like a purr.

They climb furniture and prefer to hang out on the backs of couches.

They hate water.

The way they stalk things is very catlike.

They batt at things with their paws and use their paws a lot more than any of my past dogs.

Mine also will perch themselves on my shoulder. Climb right up me and sit up on my shoulder.

Very quirky little dogs. I've always said they're kind of like a dog/cat/monkey more than a dog.

Mine don't meow but they chatter a lot. To me it sounds like a hyena or a monkey or a parrot?

 

[Kat09Tails]

I wouldn't describe mine as cat like but they do play footsie quite a bit. Only one of mine really likes the couch perch. They do clean themselves and one of my boys gets really upset if his hair is funky. None of them really like water although Rain will swim if she's in high enough prey drive. They definitely do make some funny vocalizations.

When I think of cat-like breeds I think of Akitas, Chows, and other breeds that tend to not really care what their owners think of them. My papillons are far more sensitive, if I'm having a bad day it clearly troubles them. It's part of the reason I love them so much as a companion because it reminds me to stay in a better space for their sake.

 

[Laurelin]

Yeah their temperament isn't catlike at all. They're definitely the opposite of an 'aloof' breed. :lol-sign:

I just mean the way they use their paws and chatter-talk all the time. Cracks me up and reminds me of cats.

Mine clean themselves a LOT too. They like to lick a paw and run it all over their heads. Unfortunately, mine don't care if they look presentable or not. Beau usually has fringe sticking out everywhere.

My collie type dogs 'talked' a lot but it was a completely different set of vocalizations from the papillons.

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

Mine is... She likes to crawl onto the backs and arm rests on sofas to relax.

She holds toys up between her front paws when rolling on the ground.

She cleans her face with her two front paws by licking them exactly like a cat.

 

[Cali Mae]

I wouldn't describe mine as cat like but they do play footsie quite a bit. Only one of mine really likes the couch perch. They do clean themselves and one of my boys gets really upset if his hair is funky. None of them really like water although Rain will swim if she's in high enough prey drive. They definitely do make some funny vocalizations.

When I think of cat-like breeds I think of Akitas, Chows, and other breeds that tend to not really care what their owners think of them. My papillons are far more sensitive, if I'm having a bad day it clearly troubles them. It's part of the reason I love them so much as a companion because it reminds me to stay in a better space for their sake.

I actually started to notice that Cali is becoming more sensitive to things around her. Like today, in the midst of her running full speed down the little hill (she loves running to the bottom and sliding around in the dirt to pounce on the ants), I slipped and fell and she immediately turned back around and ran up to me as if to check and see if I was okay. I was almost touched that she took a couple seconds from her ant chasing time to see if I was alright, haha.

 

[Laurelin]

I've never quite had another breed that does velcro the same way papillons do. Mia especially. She's constantly checking up on me and trying to look for a way to help out (waiting for me to tell her what to do).

I have a bunch of pictures from hiking and in all of them, Mia is turned around looking back at me.

If they're raised well and given the exercise they need, papillons are just really incredible dogs.

 

[Bleuell Papillons]

I call River "My Little Parrot". She loves to sit on my shoulder and lick my ears. River is very talkative. "You want some turkey?", she replies with "Yep!", "You wanna go outside?", "Yep!", "You ready for the dog show?", "Yep!". If I even mention the word "turkey", she perks up and licks her lips. Haha she is so very spoiled. She also licks her self like a cat.

Cujo is an angel, always by my side. He is not as "in your face" as River. Cujo always has his eyes on me. I am the center of his world, and he is my shadow. Cucu is so peaceful and is content to do whatever I do.

Papillons are the best. <3