The Dog Codex

Compare

Side by side

Choose two breeds. You’ll see the same strip of citeable traits — not a winner, and not kids / apartment / shedding scorecards.

Temperament lines are short plate excerpts, not a verdict. Open each plate for the full entry.

Papillon

Papillon

Toy · France / Belgium

  • AKC group

    Toy

  • Size

    Toy

  • Height

    20–28 cm (registry-specific; AKC 8–11 in / ~20.3–27.9 cm, DQ over 12 in; FCI about 28 cm; Royal Kennel Club 20–28 cm; CKC ideal 20.25–28 cm)

  • Weight

    ~2.3–4.5 kg (AKC breed-page summary 5–10 lb; FCI categories under 2.5 kg, or 2.5–4.5 kg dogs / 2.5–5 kg bitches, minimum 1.5 kg; AKC, CKC and Royal Kennel Club standards give no numeric weight — “in proportion to height”)

  • Energy

    Moderate

  • Energy notes

    Moderate, in line with this site’s other Toy plates. The standards still describe a lively dog: AKC’s general appearance is “of lively action”; The Royal Kennel Club’s temperament is “lively… always alert”; FCI asks for an easy and elegant gait and a lively personality.

  • Trainability

    Very high

  • Coat

    The coat is abundant, long, fine, silky, flowing and straight, with resilient quality, lying flat on the back and sides of the body, with a profuse frill on the chest and no undercoat (AKC, CKC and The Royal Kennel Cl…

  • Origin

    France / Belgium

  • Temperament

    AKC asks for a dog that is “happy, alert and friendly. Neither shy nor aggressive.

Havanese

Havanese

Toy · Cuba

  • AKC group

    Toy

  • Size

    Toy

  • Height

    21.5–29 cm (AKC)

  • Weight

    ~3.2–5.9 kg (AKC profile)

  • Energy

    Moderate

  • Energy notes

    Moderate. The AKC says the Havanese has moderate exercise needs: a brisk daily walk or playtime with its owner, or even romping indoors, is enough.

  • Trainability

    High

  • Coat

    The coat is long, abundant and wavy, silky to the touch and light in texture, standing slightly off the body but flowing with movement.

  • Origin

    Cuba

  • Temperament

    The AKC standard describes a friendly, playful, alert and intelligent dog with a sweet, non-quarrelsome disposition. The FCI calls it exceptionally bright, affectionate and happy, 'a charmer, playful and even a bit of a clown', and says it loves children and plays with them endlessly.