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Coton de Tulear

Origin: Madagascar

AKC Group: Non-sporting

Height: 9 inches (Male)

Weight: 8 pounds (Male)

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Origin:

Madagascar

Male height:

9 inches

Male weight:

8 pounds

Coat:

Single coat is soft, supple, dense and profuse; it has the texture of cotton and can be slightly wavy.

Colors:

White, black; both have gray, yellow, tricolor or white markings.

History:

Tul'ar is a wealthy area on the island of Madagascar off the coast of Africa, where small white dogs lived as favored companions with the residents for centuries. The Coton de Tulear (pronounced KO-tone dih TOO-lay-ARE) is a Bichon-type dog who is believed to have arrived on Madagascar with Spanish and Portuguese sailors in the 16th century. He was little known outside of Madagascar (and specifically Tul'ar) until the 20th century, when he began to catch the attention of fanciers around the world. Dr. Robert J. Russell brought the breed to the United States in the early 1970s and developed a standard for the Coton de Tulear Club of America. The breed is becoming increasingly popular today all over the world.

Personality:

The Coton de Tulear is a cute, sociable dog whose gentle, affectionate nature makes him a real charmer. He bonds strongly to his family and loves to shower those he loves with "kisses." Alert and energetic, the Coton is an able watchdog, willing to sound off on any possible intruders or interesting activity. Although solicitous and eager to please, he has a stubborn, independent streak and is not a pushover.

At home:

The Coton de Tulear makes an excellent apartment dog due to his size and coat, which sheds only minimally, and like other Bichon-type breeds, can be a good choice for many allergy sufferers. This versatile dog can live happily just about anywhere, as long as he gets to spend time with those he loves. He does not like to be left alone and needs to be included in his family's activities. He enjoys traveling.

Recommended activities:

This energetic breed is surprisingly quick and agile and will enjoy activities like agility, flyball, rally, obedience and canine freestyle.

Exercise:

The Coton will get his exercise accompanying his family members around the house and on whatever walks or outings they care to take. He is an able swimmer, and he also loves to play; both are great forms of exercise for him.

Feeding:

The Coton de Tulear needs a high-quality, size-appropriate diet. His desire for affection is nearly equaled by his desire for food, so keeping an eye on his weight will help keep him in the best shape.

Training:

Responsive and eager to please, the Coton de Tulear will learn almost anything quickly if asked in a positive and encouraging way. He is adept at "dancing" on his hind legs and can easily learn to perform this trick.

Compatibility:

The Coton de Tulear is friendly and agreeable to all he meets. He gets along well with children, other dogs and other animals.

Health:

The average life span of the Coton de Tulear is 14 to 18 years. A healthy breed, there are currently no reported breed-specific health concerns.

Fun fact:

Coton is the French word for "cotton," which is descriptive of the texture of the Coton de Tulear's coat.

Grooming blurb:

The Coton's human-like hair requires the kind of daily attention that we give ours: regular brushing and combing to keep it knot- and tangle-free. A pin brush without balls on the end is recommended so as not to tear the coat.

Disclaimer:

Copyright by T.F.H. Publications, Inc. This document has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every reasonable precaution has been taken in preparation of this document, the author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein. The techniques and suggestions are used at the reader's discretion.