BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION

Coton de Tulear
Multi Ch. Cotonnerie Rebelcreek Roosevelt "Teddy"
Photo courtesy: Cotonwind Coton de Tulears

Breed Registries:


Note: The breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.

* — (7 June 2006) Based on the results of the 2004 referendum, this breed is deemed to have been approved by CKC members and is now under the "Listed Breed" status (which allows participation in all CKC events). See Notice Re: Breeds Included In Miscellaneous List from the Canadian Kennel Club for further details.

— (28 February 2006) Based on the results of a Canine Federation of Canada (CFC) breeder's poll, this breed will remain under jurisdiction of the CFC for registration purposes. See Update Re: Newly Recognized Breeds from the Candian Kennel Club, dated 28 February 2006.

* — The FCI is the World Canine Organization, which includes 84 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 339 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The "owner" countries of the breeds write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.


Origin:

Madagascar

Height:

10 to 12 inches

Weight:

5 to 7 kgs

Breed Profile:

The Coton de Tulear is a rare and ancient pure breed, originating from Madagascar. He is a small white companion dog with fluffy cotton like hair, hence the name "Coton." Tulear is a port city on the southwestern coast of Madagascar. The standard for the Coton de Tulear was established in 1969 and sbumitted to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1970. The FCI officially recognized the breed in February 1971. By 1974, the first Cotons were brought to North America and, since the early 1990s, there as been a significant increase in popularity both in the United States and in Canada.

He has a charming personality and maintains a puppy-like temperament throughout his life. In appearance, the Coton looks somewhat like a stuffed animal and has been described as a miniature Old English Sheepdog. He is intelligent, devoted, eager to please, easily trained, calm and sturdy. He is an excellent companion to children and generally gets along well with other dogs and cats.

The Coton will adapt to just about any lifestyle. Known as a bundle of joy with the nickname: "the anti-stress dog."

There are three different colour varieties: White (often with champagne color patches); Black-and-white; and Tri-colour. A Tri-colour adult is mostly white with champagne patches and a faint dusting of black hairs.

Health Issues

The Coton du Tulear breed is healthy, vigorous, and long-lived with an average life expectancy of about 16 years. According to the Coton de Tulear Club of America, the North American population of Cotons have no known genetic defects. However, there have been recent cases of some disorders which have yet to be determined whether they are of a hereditary nature in the Coton breed. These include: Neo-Natal Ataxia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Patellar Luxation, and Dysplasia (Hip and Elbow). For further information, please see the CCTC Health Issues web site.

If you are considering the adoption of a Coton de Tulear puppy, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder, as with any other breed. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)

Additional Health Resources:

Only Natural Pet Store

Breed Standards

Grooming Information

  • Grooming — This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.

Training Resources

  • Toy Breeds—Housebreaking
  • Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.

Training Tools & Equipment
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Additional Information

Select from the following links to view Breeder listings; Breed Clubs; Rescue Organizations; as well as Books and other Merchandise specific to the breed:

Breeders  /  Breed Clubs  /  Rescues  /  Books & More