11-14 lbs
9-10"
United States, United Kingdom
Carillons are an intelligent, loyal, and playful companion dog. They are people-oriented and form strong bonds with their owner and family members. Their lifespan is average for small breed dogs at 12 to 15 years. They generally weigh between 11 and 14 pounds and grow to be between 9 and 12 inches tall. The breed has the compact torso of a Cairn Terrier and some of the dainty features of a Papillon. The exact date of origin for the breed is unknown, but is thought to be a relatively new hybrid. As a result, it’s form and personality have not fully taken root and this hybrid is not registered in the American Kennel Club roster of purebred dogs.
The name Carillon is a combination of the two names of its parent breeds: the Cairn Terrier and the Papillon. The Papillon originated around 700 years ago in France. Italian frescoes and paintings from as far back as the 13th century also depicted this petite canine. A popular companion for European royalty and the elite, this breed originally did not have the "butterfly wings" ears that they are known for today. Papillon is French for butterfly, and once the breed migrated from Europe to North America, its popularity increased. The American Kennel Club added this spunky breed to its roster in 1915. The Carillon’s other parent, the Cairn Terrier, hails from Scotland's Isle of Skye and is the result of a long history of dividing the Terrier breed. There is evidence to suggest early versions of the Cairn Terrier existed in the 15th century and were used to hunt foxes, the badgers, and otters. The name is derived from this breed’s ability to chase otters from cairns – stone piles used as landmarks or memorials at that time. In 1873, the breed was divided into Dandie Dinmont and Skye Terriers based on color. The Cairn Terrier was put in the Skye Terrier category. In 1881, Hard-Haired Terriers were identified as a separate breed from the Skye Terriers – again changing the categorization of the Cairn Terrier. Eventually, Hard-Haired Terriers were separated into Scotch, West Highland White and what we know today as the modern Cairn Terrier. Many of the early Cairns Terriers were white, but many color variations have emerged in this breed since the early 1900s. It was recognized by the AKC in 1913. Famously, Toto from the movie The Wizard of Oz was a Cairn Terrier. The product of these two breeds, the Carillon, is suspected to have originated in the early to mid-1900s when both parent breeds were in North America.
A Carillon is a small or medium-sized dog with the compact body of a Terrier and slender features of the Papillon, including thin legs, daintily arched paws, and tapered muzzle. The breed has large, rounded-tip ears that are of the drop variety. The Carillons’ eyes are round and dark and convey an alert and cheerful expression. Carillons weigh between 11 and 14 pounds and grow to be between 9 and 12 inches tall. They have strong, active bodies with a relatively large rib cage for their size and a medium length tail, often feathered. Carillons’ medium-length coat is straight and thick and varies widely in color. They can be various combinations of black, cream, white, silver, gray, red with the possibility of a brindle pattern and black markings, masks, and points.
Carillons are not completely hypoallergenic, but produce less allergens due to the hair-like coat that they inherit from their Papillon parent. They have a low tendency to drool and shed and do not require heavy grooming. Carillons do enjoy being brushed regularly, which will help keep their coat stripped of dead hairs. Owners should also consider trimming longer bits of their coat around the eyes, ears, and paws to avoid infections or mobility obstructions. Like all breeds, Carillons must have their teeth brushed daily and their nails clipped one to two times a month to prevent painful overgrowth or nail splitting.
Carillons retain many desirable qualities of both its parent breeds and is known as a loyal family companion that craves human attention and affection. They are spunky and playful pets that enjoy romping around indoors with their owners. Carillons inherit protective instincts from their Terrier lineage, as well as its tendency to bark relatively frequently. This means that they can be slightly aggressive towards other dogs and strangers. Also note that Carillons have a high impulse for hunting, so they may chase other small animals when given the chance. As such, introductions to new people and animals should be made carefully and Carillons should be supervised around children. Nonetheless, they are quite friendly with familiar humans and dogs. Because both parent breeds are intelligent, Carillons respond well to obedience training and have a naturally cheerful disposition when they are in a comfortable environment. They are happiest when they are by their owner’s side being active or snuggling.
The Carillon is an agile and active dog that requires moderate consistent exercise. Since they are playful, Carillons are eager chase toys and balls indoors. They also enjoy a moderate walk or trip to the dog park (depending on how friendly they are with other dogs). Carillons are prone to chasing other animals and wandering, so they should always be supervised in off-leash areas. Carillons’ size and energy level make then suitable for all types of environments – urban, rural, suburban – as long as they get enough exercise. Beyond this, they are well suited for all types of climates. However, like all dogs, they should not be over exercised in the heat. Overall, Carillons will be happy and healthy if have a decently active lifestyle alongside their owner.
