Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise: 5 Key Differences

When it comes to comparing toy dog breeds, are there any differences between the Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise? While both may appear similar upon first glance, there are more differences than you may expect. But what might those differences be, and how can you learn how to tell these two dog breeds apart?

In this article, we will compare and contrast the Coton De Tulear with the Bichon Frise so that you can fully understand both of these beautiful and soft dog breeds. We will go over the ancestry and behaviors of both of these breeds as well, including all of their similarities. Let’s get started!

Comparing Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise

Key Differences Between Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise

There are many key differences between a Coton De Tulear and a Bichon Frise. The Bichon Frise is larger in both weight and height compared to the Coton De Tulear, though not by much. Additionally, the fur colors of the Coton De Tulear include white, gray, and black, while the Bichon Frise coat only comes in white. Finally, the Coton De Tulear lives a slightly longer life than the Bichon Frise.

Let’s discuss all of these differences in more detail now!

Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise: Size

The Coton De Tulear and the Bichon Frise are similar enough in size and weight that it can be difficult to tell them apart upon first glance. However, the Bichon Frise is larger than the Coton De Tulear in both size and weight. Let’s look closer at those figures now.

The average Coton De Tulear reaches 9 to 11 inches tall, while the Bichon Frise grows slightly larger, at 9.5 to 11.5 inches tall. Additionally, the Bichon Frise frequently reaches anywhere from 11 to 18 pounds, while the Coton De Tulear weighs 8 to 15 pounds, depending on gender. However, these two dogs are both considered toy or small breeds, and their sizes often overlap.

Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise: Appearance

Unless you know what you are looking for, a Coton De Tulear can look extremely similar to a Bichon Frise. However, there are some differences to keep an eye out for. The Bichon Frise only comes in a poofy white coat, while the Coton De Tulear comes in white, black, and gray. Additionally, the hair of the Coton De Tulear is longer and wavy compared to the shorter and tightly curled fur of the Bichon Frise.

Both of these dogs have incredibly soft fur coats, which is partly what the Coton De Tulear is named after. You may also not notice the ears of either of these dogs, depending on how their coat is cut and styled. The ears of the Coton De Tulear are floppy and slightly longer compared to the floppy ears of the Bichon Frise.

Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise: Ancestry and Breeding

There are some ancestral differences between the Coton De Tulear and the Bichon Frise. For example, the Bichon Frise is an older breed of dog compared to the Coton De Tulear. Brought to the United States from Madagascar, the Coton De Tulear became popular in the 1970s, while the Bichon Frise was an extremely popular lap dog among French and Spanish royalty.

Both of these toy dog breeds worked on ships, hunting rats and other pests. However, the Bichon Frise became useful to many different circus acts and performing, while the Coton De Tulear remained aboard ships. However, both of these dogs are ideal companion animals for a variety of homes.

Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise: Behavior

The Bichon Frise and the Coton De Tulear have similar behaviors. They are both extremely happy and loyal dogs, but the Coton De Tulear is often easier to train than the Bichon Frise. While the Bichon Frise can exhibit some stubbornness while housebreaking, the Coton De Tulear can react negatively to aggression or negative emotions in the home.

Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise: Lifespan

A final difference between Coton De Tulear dogs and Bichon Frises is their lifespans. The Coton De Tulear lives slightly longer than the Bichon Frise, though it all depends on the breeding and care of the individual dog. For example, the Bichon Frise lives an average of 12 to 15 years, while the Coton De Tulear lives 13-16 years.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Francisco Gomez Perpinan/Shutterstock.com