Coton De Tulear Pictures, Coton De Tulear Dog Breed Information

Appearance

• Cotons are cute little dogs.


• Their fur has more of a cotton type feel as opposed to being silky.


• This small dog is soft to the touch.


• This breed is normally found in white, black or tri-colored.


• These small dogs are between 10 and 12 inches tall.


• They typically weigh between 12 and 15 pounds.

Temperament

• This breed is extremely friendly and gentle.


• They are good with children and are sociable with other dogs and animals.


• This breed is also quite loyal to their master and immediate families.


• In addition, this breed is quite alert and can be a good watch dog.


• They are also intelligent.

Living Standards

• In comparison to the Bichon Frise, the Coton does well when living in apartments.


• Although they are active and like the openness of the outdoors, they also enjoy indoor activities as well.

Exercise

• This small dog requires a daily walk.


• They also enjoy swimming.


• In addition to walking, make sure to play with these dogs. Provide them with dog toys and bones to chew.

Litter Size

• This breed will typically have between 3 and 6 pups per litter.

Health and Life Expectancy

• This breed is generally healthy.


• Certain health issues related to this breed include:


1. Cardiomyopathy
2. Mitral Valve Disease
3. Liver Shunts
4. Cataracts
5. Glaucoma
6. Herniated Disc


• The life expectancy of this small dog breed is usually between 14 and 16 years of age.

Trainability and Obedience

• As mentioned earlier, this small dog breed is intelligent. Therefore, they are very trainable.


• Be firm with your commands and maintain consistency when training. Your Coton will respond well.


• Keep in mind that these dogs can also be taught tricks. They are known for their ability to jump and stand on their hind legs.


• As with all dogs, it is best to begin training your Coton when he/she is a pup.


• Remember that any small dog breed can develop small dog syndrome if not properly trained.

Grooming

• This breed has minimal shedding.


• It is recommended to brush these small dogs once a day (use a comb and a soft bristle brush).


• When brushing, you may see matting of the fur. Gently use the comb to untangle these mats.


• Also, trim the hair between the pads on their feet.


• There is information that suggests bathing these dogs only twice a year in order to protect their coat’s natural oils. We suggest bathing these dogs every 10 to 16 weeks or when necessary.

History

• It is believed that this breed developed on the island of Madagascar.


• Seemingly, the descendents of this small dog were brought to the island during the 15th century aboard pirate ships (Madagascar was occupied by pirates during this time period).


• The Coton is known as the "Official Dog of Madagascar".


• This breed was discovered by Dr. Robert Jay Russell (a biologist) on the island of Madagascar in 1973. Shortly thereafter, he brought these small dogs to America.


• The Coton De Tulear club of America was formed in 1976.

Coton De Tulear Pictures & Video

Coton de Tulear Care -Learn more about living with this rare and wonderful dog breed and share photos and stories with other Coton Dog owners.