The Phalène was common and used to be kept as a pet even before the Papillon came into the scene from the 16th century. The many paintings and artworks found from different European countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Belgium suggest that the Phalène was usually associated with the rich and the royals. During the medieval period, the noblemen would keep these lapdogs to keep themselves warm inside their cold, humid castles, and also use them to control rats.
Some people believe that this breed developed from the Cayenne Dog and the European Toy Spaniel, and was introduced to France by King Francois I. However, after the French Revolution, it was Belgium that patronized the dog most warmly.
With the 19th century, the Papillons gradually started to become much more famous, so much so, that the Phalenes were almost on the verge of extinction. Soon, the fanciers of the breed took initiatives to save the race and began with selective breeding to prevent them from disappearing altogether. At present, the AKC has not recognized this dog separately as an independent breed.