Buy a Coton de Tulear Dog

A Coton de Tulear may be right for you if you want a dog who...

• Is small but sturdy
  
• Has a long, soft cottony coat that doesn't shed (one of the best breeds for allergy sufferers)
  
• Doesn't need a lot of exercise
  
• Is polite with people and other animals
  
• Is healthy and long-lived

A Coton de Tulear may not be right for you if you don't want to deal with...

• "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) if left alone too much
  
• Shyness or suspiciousness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
  
• Frequent brushing and combing
  
• Housebreaking difficulties
  
• Barking
  
• A high price tag

If you're considering an adult Coton de Tulear...

There are plenty of adult Coton de Tulears who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.

When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already is.

Coton de Tulear Physical Characteristics

Coton de Tulear Height

• The height of a Coton de Tulear is measured at the withers.
  
• A male Coton ranges from 9 7/8 inches (25 cm) to 12 1/2 inches (32 cm), with 11 inches (28 cm) being the ideal.
  
• A female Coton ranges from 8 1/2 inches (21.5 cm) to 11 inches (28 cm), with 9 7/8 inches (25 cm) being the ideal.
  
• The FCI Standard of the Coton de Tulear is... Males 26-28 cm, and Females 23-25 cm.

Coton de Tulear Weight

• The weight of a male Coton de Tulear ranges from 8 7/8 to 13 1/4 pounds (4 to 6 kg).
  
• The female Coton de Tulear weight range is from 7 3/4 to 11 pounds (3.5 to 5 kg).
  
• Weight is proportional to height, but must not exceed the maximum. For example, a male Coton of 11 inches in height will weigh approximately 11 pounds, while a male Coton of 12 1/2 inches in height will weigh approximately 13 1/4 pounds.

Coton de Tulear Colors

• A few slight shadings of light grey color (mixture of white and black hairs) or of red-roan (mixture of white and fawn hairs), are permitted on the ears of a Coton de Tulear.
  
• White, with a few spots of yellow or light-to-medium gray permissible.
  
• A few spots of the following colors, with a variety of darkness and intensity, are acceptable on a white background on young Coton de Tulear dogs (under 1 year) only: yellow, rust, dark red, black, brown, and brown/black mixed together. The color is very light at the base of the hair shaft, indicative of acceptable adult coloration.
  
• The ears of the Coton de Tulear puppies are covered with white hair or with hair of the following three shades: yellow taints, more or less dark; a blend of yellow and black hairs; or, a few black hairs, giving the impression of a light grayish stain.

Coton de Tulear Coat

• The Colors of the Coton de Tulear puppies are white or white and black. But, white is preferred. The long, fluffy, cotton coat should be brushed daily.
  
• The fine coat is slightly wavy, with a cottony texture. It is approximately 3 1/3 inches (8 cm) in length.
  
• A Coton's long, dry, nearly straight hair requires brushing periodically to remove an undercoat and prevent matting. Cotons remain relatively clean without a bath for a long time. Most owners prefer a monthly trip to a groomers, with casual brushing about every other day or so.
  
• Single coated Coton de Tulear dogs are approximately 3 - 3 1/2 inches long, fine, slightly wavy, texture of cotton, shown in natural state. Slight lemon or gray color on ears acceptable; dark pigmentation.
  
• There are three color varieties of the Coton de Tulears that are common: White (all white with perhaps cream-biscuit/champagne patches on the ears and saddle region); Black and White (brilliant black patches which sometimes appear to gray with maturity), and Tri-color (white, tan, and black pups which generally turn off-white with a dusting of black hairs later in life). Hair length is about 4-5 inches and does not reach the ground from the belly. The long hair protects the Coton from equatorial sun in its native, semi-dessert lands surrounding Tulear, Madagascar. Show Cotons tend to be extremely over-groomed, often heavily doused with hair sprays and without sufficient undercoat removal. Some show dogs resemble a Bichon Frise whose paw was caught in a live electric light socket.

Other information of the Coton de Tulear

• The other name of a Coton de Tulear is Coton.
  
• Life span of a Coton de Tulear is about 14-16 years.
  
• A Coton de Tulear has an average litter size of 5.
  
• The Coton de Tulear group: Gun Dog, Companion Group, not toy dogs
  
• The Coton de Tulear is described in the literature as non-shedding, we would more accurately describe them as minimal shedding.
  
• Coton adapts perfectly to all ways of life and climates.

Coton de Tulear Recognition

CKC(Continental Kennel Club), FCI(Federation Cynologique Internationale), NKC(National Kennel Club), APRI(American Pet Registry Inc.), ACR(American Canine Registry), UKC (United Kennel Club)

Coton De Tulear Health and Abilities

Coton de Tulear Diet

In Madagascar, the diet of a Coton de tulear was fed as a vegetarian and rice diet for nearly 300 years. Consequently, we recommend a vegetarian, low protein diet such as Natures' Recipe Vegetarian Diet.

Coton de Tulear Health

Cotons have about an average number of breed health defects, but they have a much lower incidence of them. That means that overall, this is a healthy, sturdy breed. A buyer should check with a breeder to determine things to look for in his/her lineage and details about the breeder's health guarantee. The breed is known to have a low incidence of heart defects (pulmonic stenosis), orthopedic problems associated with small breeds (luxated patellae, spinal disk disease), and the like. Recently, some few Cotons have been diagnosed with aggression problems, probably genetic. Most often, Cotons are not only non-aggressive, but deeply devoted to their human companions. Therefore, separation anxiety can become a problem unless careful training is followed.

Coton de Tulear Grooming Requirements

The long, light-textured hair requires regular brushing, careful grooming. The dead hair should be brushed and combed out. Excess hair between the pads of the feet and in the inner ears should be removed. They do not need a bath more than once or twice a year which will be adequate to keep them clean. The coat should not be scissored. Cotons sheds little to no hair. This breed is good for allergy sufferers. Requires rare bathing, only once or twice a year. Little-to-no shedding. Good for allergy sufferers. Coton de Tulear is okay for apartment life.

Coton de Tulear Train Ability

The Coton de Tulear can be difficult to house break. He benefits from early obedience training. A Coton is intelligent and learns quickly but can be a bit stubborn.

Coton de Tulear Exercise Needs and Activities

• While the Coton de Tulear is an ideal apartment dog, he needs room to run to maintain his happy disposition and to stay healthy. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
  
• Coton de Tulears require an average amount of room to run and play. They desire to be a part of a family. Weekly to bi-weekly brushing and occasional trimming and bathing will keep the coat in good shape.
  
• A Coton de Tulear dog likes to play and swim. They enjoy wide open spaces and can follow their masters on horseback for many miles. They do well in various areas of dog sports such as agility skills trials and catch. As active as they are, they will adapt well to the family's situation.