Introduction to Coton de Tulears
The coton de Tulear is a non-sporting group dog breed known for having comfortable and charming personalities. These small dogs have an extended life expectancy, sturdy construct, and a soft, mostly white coat resembling cotton. The dog’s coat color and texture are how the breed got its name because coton means “cotton” in French.
Coton de Tulears are wonderful companions and enjoy following their humans across the house. They are lighthearted, funny, and amusing, making them ideal dogs for anyone who desires to enjoy more of life’s easy pleasures. You’ll also find that coton de Tulears are low-maintenance, easygoing, and do well in apartments.
Curious to learn more? Read more information in regards to the coton de Tulear breed on this Healthy Paws guide.
Size of Coton de Tulears
Coton de Tulears typically grow until they’re 10 to 12 months old, with females stopping slightly ahead of males. These dogs are born on the small side but grow rapidly during their first six months of life. Fully grown males weigh between nine and 15 kilos and stand 10 to 11 inches tall. Female adults are eight to 13 kilos and stand nine to 10 inches tall.
The chart below describes how big you’ll be able to expect your coton de Tulear to get because the dog grows from puppyhood to maturity. Female weights are on the low end of those ranges, and male weights are on the high end.
| Weight Chart | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months |
| Female and male coton de Tulears | 4 – 6 lbs. | 6 – 11 lbs. | 9 – 15 lbs. |
Characteristics of Coton de Tulears
The most typical characteristics of coton de Tulears are sweet, cuddly, clownish, loving, and adaptable. These dogs get together with just about everyone and have an easygoing temperament that makes them a pleasure to be around.
Many people love their coton de Tulears because they’re good travel companions, enjoy walks yet don’t have extensive exercise needs, and thrive on human companionship. Therefore, they’re ideal dogs for retirees, individuals who make money working from home, and stay-at-home parents. They may bark when someone involves the door and exhibit unique vocalizations, reminiscent of grunts, around individuals with whom they’re comfortable.
As you get to know a coton de Tulear’s personality, here’s what you’ll be able to expect based on his or her breed characteristics.
| Breed Characteristic | Level (High, Medium, Low) |
| Affectionate with People | High |
| Good with Kids | High |
| Good with Pets | High |
| Need for Exercise | Medium |
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Intelligence Level | Medium |
| Able to Be Trained | Medium |
| Amount of Barking | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Low |
H2: History of Coton de Tulears
The coton de Tulear dog breed originated in Madagascar, an island off the southeastern coast of Africa. They were the beloved lapdogs of nobility here and named after the seaport town of Tulear. French aristocrats in Madagascar loved these little white dogs and were insistent that they didn’t leave the island. Therefore, coton de Tulears were isolated from much of the world for hundreds of years.
In the Nineteen Sixties, French tourists discovered and fell in love with the breed. Their popularity quickly spread in Europe, where selective breeding refined the dogs’ characteristics for the longer term. The American Kennel Club registered its first dog of this breed in 2014. Since then, coton de Tulears have competed in AKC events, including obedience, rally, agility, and tracking competitions.
Coton de Tulear Standard Information
Affectionately referred to as the “Royal Dog of Madagascar,” the coton de Tulear is a small, sturdy, white companion dog that’s vibrant, energetic, and lighthearted in nature. It is defined by its cotton-like coat, round and dark eyes, and tail carried happily and curved over the dog’s back. These are all characteristics by which coton de Tulears are judged at dog shows.
Here is an outline of the breed standard information for coton de Tulears:
Head:
- Short and triangular head
- Lively, alert, and comfortable expression
- Round and dark eyes which can be brown or black
- Pendulous and triangular ears
- Slightly rounded skull
- Lean cheeks
- Straight muzzle
- Rounded triangle-shaped nose
- Scissor or level bite
Neck, Topline, Body:
- Slightly arched, moderate-length neck
- Withers are only barely pronounced
- Body is longer than high
- Chest is long and well-developed
- Tail is low set within the axis of the spinal column
Forequarters:
- Shoulders are muscular, and shoulder blades are laid back
- Pastern is powerful and sloping very barely
- Dewclaws could also be removed or left natural
- Feet are small and round
- Toes are arched and tight
- Pads are pigmented black
Hindquarters:
- Pelvis meets femur at an 80-degree angle
- Hock joint is well-defined and dry
- Rear pastern is perpendicular to the bottom from all angles
- Dewclaws, feet, toes, and pads are similar to in front
Coat:
- Soft, supple, cotton-like texture
- Dense, profuse, barely wavy
- Puppy coat is softer than adult coat
Color:
- White coat is important
- Shadings aren’t desirable but minimally permitted
- Puppies under 12 months can have light tan, light brown, dark brown, gray, or chestnut colours
Gait:
- Moderate free gait and easy movement
- No sign of uneven movement
Caring for Coton de Tulears
Coton de Tulears are medium-energy dogs which can be relatively easy to look after but have significant grooming requirements. They respond well to training and do best in households with people around nearly on a regular basis.
Here are some general suggestions for taking the most effective care of a coton de Tulear:
Best Living Environments:
- Versatile dogs that do well in small apartments or larger homes
- Homes with children and other pets
- Households with seniors and retirees
Type of Exercise:
- Aim for an hour of exercise per day
- Morning and evening walks
- Games of fetch within the yard
- Accompanying pet parents on errands when secure to achieve this
Mental Enrichment:
- Dog sports, including agility, rally, and obedience exercises
- Puzzle toys to stimulate the mind
- Leashed “sniff” walks
Training Strategies:
- Use positive reinforcement methods with these eager-to-please dogs
- No harsh corrections
- Expose your dog to numerous forms of people, dogs, and environments
Grooming Tips:
- Brush the coat no less than 3 times per week
- Use a pin brush for the coat
- Break up mats and tangles on the legs, elbows, and across the ears
- Pat dry after bathing to stop tangles
- Check ears weekly
- Trim nails as needed
- Brush teeth every day
Common Health Problems of Coton de Tulears
Coton de Tulears have considered one of the longest life expectancies of all dog breeds – 15 to 19 years. However, like all dog breeds, the coton de Tulear is liable to certain conditions due to its genetics and breeding history.
The Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) recommends that before breeding, coton de Tulears receive the next screening tests:
- Eye examination
- Luxating patella
- Heart evaluation
In addition, breeders should pick no less than three of the next elective health screening tests:
- Hip evaluation (including for Legg Calve Perthes disease)
- Elbow evaluation
- Hypothyroidism
- DNA-based screening for von Willebrand’s disease, Bandera’s syndrome, degenerative myelopathy canine multifocal retinopathy, primary hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria, chondrodysplasia, or chondrodystrophy
Diet and Nutrition for Coton de Tulears
Most adult coton de Tulears will thrive when eating a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced adult pet food. Puppies should eat puppy food until they’re around nine months old. These small dogs have to eat more regularly than big dogs to stop their blood sugar levels from dropping, particularly as puppies. Therefore, chances are you’ll have to feed your coton de Tulears puppy five small meals per day and keep the meals about 4 hours apart to stop hypoglycemia. Adults generally do well with two to 3 meals a day. If you feed your coton de Tulears homemade pet food, make sure that you might be working from a recipe that’s designed by a veterinary nutritionist and that is suitable to your dog’s age and health status.
Feed the quantity of pet food needed to maintain your pet slim. You should have the ability to see your coton de Tulears’ waist and feel (but not see) the ribs without having to press too hard. In general, puppies need more calories per day than do adults, but a dog’s needs will vary with their activity level and other aspects. Don’t leave food out all day for a coton de Tulears to graze on.
Talk to your veterinarian if you’ve gotten any questions on your coton de Tulears’ weight loss program or health.
Where to Adopt or Purchase Coton de Tulears
Pet lovers involved in bringing a coton de Tulear into their lives might start their search with the United States of America Coton de Tulear Club, which was formed in 1993 and is the AKC national parent club for the breed. The organization offers a breeder directory and rescue resources. There are other rescue organizations which you can contact for an adoptable pet, reminiscent of the United Coton de Tulear Association for Rescue and Education and Lady Grace Rescue-Coton de Tulear Rescue.
Related Breeds
If the coton de Tulear breed has captured your heart, you may additionally have an interest to learn more about these similar and related dog breeds before selecting a recent canine companion to your household:
Pet Insurance for Coton de Tulears
Once you buy or adopt a coton de Tulear, one of the crucial necessary things to do next is enroll your pup in a pet medical insurance plan. Healthy Paws offers coton de Tulear insurance that covers illnesses, accidents, emergency care, genetic conditions, breed-specific conditions, cancer, and alternative care. With a Healthy Paws policy in place, you’ll have peace of mind and feel confident which you can pay for whatever veterinary care your dog needs without worrying in regards to the bills. You can take your coton de Tulear to any licensed vet you trust and submit the bills to us via mobile app.
Get your coton de Tulear medical insurance quote today to take the best care of your furry buddy!