I have 6 papillons that I train for the breed, obedience and agility rings, and bred my first litter this past winter. They are wonderful little dogs, but I need to point out the negatives-- many are extremely difficult to housebreak and they can be very very active, and this combined with their high level of intelligence can be a bad thing if they are not challenged mentally and physicially. They require as much exercise as a large dog (although it is easier since you can get them their exercise via games you can play in the house and yard or by walking-- they don't need fields to run in necessarily) and they must have obedience training. They do shed, and they do bark. Other than that, they are wonderful. I wouldn't have any other breed.