Coton de Tulear

If you are looking for a happy, charming dog, the Coton de Tulear may be the perfect choice for you. Small and sweet, this breed gets along well with children and other pets, is a people-pleaser, and does well with apartment living, as long as he gets some exercise each day.

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Developing on the island of Madagascar, the Coton de Tulear was brought to America in 1973. Because of Madagascar’s history of piracy, it is thought that these dogs may have developed for companionship or to hunt rats aboard pirate ships. Regardless of how they developed, they have a long history of providing human companionship, and it shows in their agreeable, highly trainable nature.

The breed is most often white, although they can have markings, such as white and gray, white and yellow, and they can even be tri-colored. Their long life span and loving personality make them wonderful companions.

History Of The Breed

The Coton de Tulear is a rather rare breed that originated in Madagascar around the 16th century and was almost immediately considered a royal dog when they became the favorite pets of the tribal monarchy. Known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar and the official dog of Madagascar, they were popular among the wealthy and there are many legends and folklore associated with their history, especially with how they came to be on the island of Madagascar. They are thought to be descended from the Cotons from Reunion Island and it is said that the ancestor of the Coton de Tulear is the now-extinct Bichon Tenerife, which was possibly brought to the islands by sailors or even pirates.

Health and Entertainment for your Coton de Tulear

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The Different Types Of Coton de Tulear Mixes

The Coton de Tulear’s winning personality makes it a popular choice for crossbreeding. Some of the more popular crosses include crossing with a Bichon Frise, with the resulting puppies known as Biton, with a Lhasa Apso for Lhasa-Coton, with a Maltese for Cotonese, and with Poodles for Poo-Ton puppies. The Coton de Tulear comes in three accepted colors – white, black and white and tri-color.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Coton de Tulear

Size And Weight

The Coton de Tulear is a small dog, but never frail. They are sturdy and athletic. His proportions should create a rectangle, a too-long back or too-short legs are considered faults. Females mature to a height between 9 and 10 inches, while males mature to between 10 and 11 inches. Females mature to between 8 and 13 pounds, while males mature to between 9 and 15 pounds.

Common Health Issues

While the breed is generally hearty, there are a few health issues they are prone to. Skin allergies can lead to issues with their ears or bacterial infections of their skin. They may also develop issues with their eyes, such as progressive retinal atrophy, and joint issues such as hip dysplasia and luxating patella.

Temperament

It would be difficult to find a breed more loving and loyal than the Coton de Tulear. Their kind, gentle nature allows them to make fast friends with all family members, including children and other pets.

They are eager to please, making training simple as long as you remain positive. Their kind personality doesn’t respond well to harsh, negative training. If you want others to enjoy your pup as much as you, socialize with your pup from an early age. Without this socialization, your pup may become shy and cautious around strangers.

The breed’s forgiving nature and love for humans make them a great choice for adoption. Regardless of the previous situation, most pups will develop a strong bond with their new family with just a little time and patience.

How To Take Care Of A Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear is a low-maintenance pup as long as you commit to regular grooming. Their people-oriented temperament allows them to fit in easily with your household.

The Best Dog Food For Coton de Tulear Dogs

Plan to feed your pup three meals a day until at least three months old. This helps keep blood sugar levels even and prevents hypoglycemia. Your veterinarian may recommend a low protein or low phosphorus diet for your dog to prevent his kidneys and liver from working too hard.

Our recommendation at A-Z Animals for the best dog food for Coton de Tulear dogs is Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food.

This turkey and chicken blend offers glucosamine and chondroitin to help sustain strong, healthy joints. Plus, there’s prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and amino acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. All this comes together to cultivate a robust immune system. That way, the occasional skin or ear infection won’t be a big deal.

Follow this link to find Merrick Lil Plates Small Breed Dog Food on Chewy and Amazon.

Best for Small Breeds

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food

• Formulated healthy nutrition for small breeds
• Chicken and turkey meal, deboned chicken, and rice recipe
• Grains including quinoa to supports healthy digestion
• Supports healthy hips, joints, skin and coat

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Maintenance And Grooming

Plan on spending a few minutes each day brushing your pup. The Coton de Tulear doesn’t leave hair around the house, making them a great choice for those with allergies, however, loose hair gets trapped in the coat. Without frequent brushing, it is easy for the pup to mat up.

Training

The breed is easy to train as long as you show patience. Your pup will sense frustration, which will cause him to shut down and slow the learning process. In addition to regular obedience training, this breed is quick to learn tricks and relishes performing for its family.

Exercise

The breed enjoys activity but doesn’t require a huge amount of exercise like many larger breeds. Some time spent playing in the yard or on regular walks provides the activity he needs. He will be active in the house, eager to follow you from room to room, keeping you entertained.

Puppies

Coton de Tulears generally have between two and five puppies in their litters. The small litter size, as well as the small gene pool, drive up the price of the breed. You may find that puppies or young dogs are more affordable from a rescue.

Coton de Tulear And Children

The Coton de Tulear gets along well with children and is always ready to play. Because the breed is small, it is important to teach your children how to play with the pup gently so he isn’t injured or scared. With care, your children and pup will become best friends.

Dogs Similar To Coton de Tulears

Dog breeds most similar to this breed are the Maltese, Havanese, Bichon Frise, and Bolognese.

Coton de Tulear Vs Maltese

At first glance, the Coton de Tulear and Maltese may appear similar, but several features separate the two breeds. The Maltese are smaller, maturing to between seven and nine inches in height and less than seven pounds. While the Maltese have a coat that often reaches the ground, the Coton de Tulear’s coat, while long, is not long enough to reach the ground. While the Coton de Tulear is a member of the non-sporting family, the Maltese belong in the Toy family.

Famous Coton de Tulears

While there aren’t any famous Coton de Tulears, the breed is loved by celebrities. Famous owners include Barbra Streisand, Jane Fonda, and the late Carrie Fisher.

Popular Names For Coton de Tulears

The most common color for this specific breed is white. This makes the following names most popular:

• Snowball
• Cotton
• Frosty

1. American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/coton-de-tulear/
2. American Coton Club, Available here: https://americancotonclub.com/history.htm