To Own- or Not to own a Papillon

You all may have read the "10 Reasons why not to own a Papillon" by Deborah Wood. (Author of several books about Papillons)
I have been raising, and breeding Papillons now for 9.5 years, and during this time, I have experienced many Papillons in our home, from birth to senior. This may not be a long time in reference to other breeders, but it's surely enough for me to say, that I have now a pretty clear understanding of the nature/character, and temperament of a Papillon dog.
I am taking the time to pick each of the 10 paragraphs (reasons why not....) and share here my own thoughts to this subject of -own-, or not own a Papillon.
Read on if you are interested to find out my thoughts to this:

1.  They are "verbally gifted." You have to be willing to put up with a lot of barking or work with your dog diligently

Yes, they do bark, or most of them.
Papillons are a 500 year + dog breed, and they specifically where bred to be a lap dog/watch dog.

I call them "4 legged door bells".

2.  Many are not lap dogs. They look like lap dogs, but many are like little, tiny Border Collies and would rather jump and run than cuddle.

In my experience they are lap dogs. There are lines of Papillons who are highly active, agile, and do have a similarity to Border Collies, but would I breed a Border Collie- Pap to a Border Collie Pap to have a perfect Papillon?, or a hyper to a hyper dog?- to create more off? No, my goal is to breed Papillons who are more on the calmer side, people oriented and affectionate, I do not have "Border Collies" in my breeding plans. 

I see Papillons as highly intuitive, they blend in with your rhythm. When you are active, they are, when you are resting they will, and most will sit on your lap, to be with you, and some will lay right next to you, or down by your feet. I never had a Papillon running around like a wild rabbit, while I try to either sleep, or sit down to rest, they all tuned in and settle in time with me.

In other words, it is up to the breeder a little of what the outcome is. You just need to go to the right breeder to get your Butterfly, and learn about the history of your selection.

3.  Many are very hard to housebreak.

 Yes, they are hard to housebreak, but no more than most, or all other Toy Breeds. So, in my eyes, if you do not want to put in extra effort here in turns of housebreaking,  get a larger breed.

Historically all small dogs got away with tinkling, or pooping in corners-, not often even seen by the owners; where large dogs got to be thrown out, yelled at, and what not, when they had accidents. Big breeds, when difficult to house train where not selected for breeding, and over time the average sized breed + larger,  developed a finesse to quickly understand that the place to eliminate is outside. 

Not so with our tiny friends. They got away with it, and still do; they do not understand this concept, no matter how intelligent they are. 

4.  Many males, especially unneutered ones, tend to "mark." Deal with the problem early and with diligence, or learn to live with belly bands.

Doesn't this happen in all breeds? Yes, boys mark, but if you take one at home, away from kennel mates, where there is nothing to "claim" they will quit marking, or do a lot less. And guess what? girls mark also, same thing. When there are numerous dogs, and they have to claim toys, places, domains, when they come in heat- everybody marks; but once you take these little guys out of their kennel environment they quit to the most part, and when they get neutered, they quit even more so. This applies to all breeds, and if you  can't deal with that, don't get a dog, or get a stuffed one.

5.  Although Papillons are among the healthiest and longest-lived breeds, there are some health concerns to check out. All breeding dogs should be checked for PRA. A fairly common problem in the breed is luxating patellas.

No much to say to this point.

As I mentioned in the previous paragraph:  Go to a reliable breeder and  know the history of your possible selection, see his/her  parents, and hopefully grandparents in person. Patella problems do not necessarily show up before the dog turns 2 years, and older.

6.  With rare exception, Papillons aren't a good combination with small children. They break.

That is the same with all small dogs (Toy Breeds). Again, seek a larger breed when you have toddlers. 

7.  Papillons usually aren't a good combination with larger dogs. They break.

Small dogs break easily under many circumstances, I have received many-, many photos of Paps being best buddies with their bigger housemate. From Aussies to Rottweilers, to Mastiffs.
Know your existing dog from top to bottom, how he/she reacts to tiny animals, from cat, kitten, small dogs, birds, and then make your safe decision on purchasing a small dog. Bigger dogs, especially hunting breeds may chase smaller dogs when the occasion is given, ("rabbit hunting")So, if your dog has a strong chasing instinct, it may not be a good combination to

add a small dog to your home.

8.  Most Papillons are very dependent. If you want an independent dog, don't get a Papillon. If you want a dog that follows you every where, including to the bathroom, it might work out.

I do not call that "dependency", rather in my views it is that the Papillon is highly human/ owner oriented. They want to be with a person, they love people, and it is their desire to follow you. This trade is found in numerous other toy Breeds, and larger breeds.

9.  Papillons are beginning to appear in puppy mills. Fortunately, most Papillon breeders are excellent and have a great love of the breed. However, it's important to check out the breeder and make sure that you are dealing with someone reputable. Never consider getting a Papillon from a pet store, where they are increasingly common.

Absolutely right here!!

10. Papillons are intense. They are highly intelligent and trainable. They are also sensitive, and some are shy. They will notice the smallest change in the environment, and bark an alert. They will jump 4 feet in the air if you look at their leash. They climb out of ex-pens and open cabinets. They get bored and throw their toys in your face until you play.

Let's get back to paragraph # 2. Intense? Sensitive? Shy? ....you find sensitive and shy in many breeds.
In all those years, I had only 2 puppies who climbed out of x pens. Again, Why would I want to breed any "hyper" dog, and worse, a hyper dog to another hyper dog. 

It is the breeders responsibility to do selective breeding, and, yes, if you have a line of agility dogs, and like to preserve those trades, you will have Papillons who have the ability to jump 4 feet up in the air, but not all Papillons do jump, and there is a number of Papillons who are more laid back, and on the calmer side.

Her conclusion:

If you want an intelligent, portable, intense, dependent, busy, trainable toy dog, a Papillon just might be the right dog for you. If you want a quiet lap dog who is a couch potato, if you want a small children's pet, if you want a dog who doesn't care if you raise your voice -- you probably want a different breed.

My conclusion:

Don't get a Papillon if you:
do not want a dog small enough to carry around,  people  oriented, intelligent, trainable, active when the occasions arises, with a strong ability to tune into your life style, affectionate, lap seeking,  somewhat hard to house break, and is a great alert dog.  
If this breed is your choice after all,  make sure you don't get a Papillon without knowing some of his/her history as far as parents, and grandparents, breeders establishment, and care of the dogs he/she has .