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)