The Papillon (French pronunciation: ​, French for 'butterfly'), also called the Continental Toy Spaniel, is a breed of dog, of the spaniel type. One of the oldest of the toy spaniels, it derives its name from its characteristic butterfly-like look of the long and fringed hair on the ears. A Papillon with dropped ears is called a Phalene, which translates to moth in French. The Papillon was first recognized by the AKC in 1935 with the formation of the Papillon Club of America. By the end of the war, the club was no longer functioning, but it was reactivated in 1948, with its first postwar specialty held in September 1954. In 1999, Ch. Loteki Supernatural Being (call name 'Kirby') owned and handled by John Oulton of Norwalk, Connecticut, became the first Papillon to win the prestigious 'Best in Show' at the annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
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