How much do Papillon dogs cost?

A Papillon puppy costs whatever its breeder asks, so the useful comparison is what sits behind each price, from the parents' health exams to the puppy's markings and papers. Papillon puppies listed on Puppy Connection right now are priced from $2,300 to $3,000.

Does color change the price of a Papillon?

The AKC breed standard says a Papillon is always parti-color, or white with patches of any color, and that among the colors there is no preference as long as the nose, eye rims and lips are well pigmented black. A white and red puppy is no more correct than a white and black or white and sable one, so a higher price for a color is the breeder's own choice.

The standard is particular about where the color falls. On the head, color must cover both ears and run without a break from the ears over both eyes, and it disqualifies an all-white dog and a dog with no white at all. AKC's color list for the breed includes white, red and sable among its alternate colors, so a puppy can be registered in a color the standard disqualifies. If a puppy has little white, or no color on its head, ask the breeder how it is marked.

What do mini and teacup mean for a Papillon?

The standard gives one height range, 8 to 11 inches at the withers, and disqualifies a dog over 12 inches. AKC lists the breed at 5 to 10 pounds. A mini or teacup label is the breeder's description, so ask what the parents weigh and how tall they stand.

What health testing should a Papillon breeder have done?

For breeding Papillons, the national club asks for knees, heart and eyes to be checked, the eyes by a veterinary ophthalmologist. AKC says responsible breeders screen their dogs for patellar luxation and for a fontanel, a soft spot left open in the top of the skull. Ask to see the parents' results themselves rather than a note that the tests were done.

Does registration change the price?

AKC papers for a Papillon litter need an AKC-registered Papillon on both sides. A puppy sold on limited registration is registered itself while its future litters are not, and switching it to full registration is up to the litter owner.

What comes home with the puppy?

All 3 listings here come with a vet exam, a microchip, a health record, AKC registration and a written health guarantee. Each listing says what that puppy goes home with.

Line up what each listing includes alongside its price, and ask the breeder to put any health guarantee in writing.

How do deposits work?

Breeders who take a deposit ask $600 to hold a puppy. The breeder sets the deposit terms, so ask whether the deposit can be refunded and get the answer in writing before you pay.

The FTC says only scammers insist on gift cards, a payment app, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer, and it recommends a credit card where you have one. Running a reverse image search on a seller's puppy photos, another FTC suggestion, shows whether they were taken from somewhere else.

What should you ask a Papillon breeder?

Ask for both parents' patella, heart and eye results. Ask how tall each parent stands and how the puppy is marked on its head. Ask what the puppy goes home with and what the deposit secures.

See Papillon puppies

Every Papillon on Puppy Connection shows the asking price its breeder chose. Each listing has the puppy's details and a way to send the breeder your questions.