Coton de Tulear Dog Breed

History

The Coton de Tulear is known to be the Royal Dog of Madagascar. While their exact origin is shrouded in mystery, they are believed to be descendants of little white dogs that arrived in Madagascar in the 16th century, following a shipwreck that killed all men on board. In the beginning, these dogs roamed the jungle, scavenging, and hunting to survive.

It wasn’t until the 19^th century that the ruling tribe of the island, the Merina, took note of these charming canines. They stated that only royals were allowed to own one of these dogs, which marked the beginning of their connection with royalty and people of high status.

Their nickname “Coton” was given to them because of their soft, fluffy white coats that are very similar in texture to cotton.

No dogs could be exported from Madagascar until the 1970s and only very few selected people were allowed to take the Cotons off the island with them.

However, from the 1970s onwards, the Coton de Tulear was introduced to other countries, starting with France, Belgium, and then America. The first breeding program for these dogs in America was started by Jay Lewis Russell after he discovered the breed from his son, who conducted multiple anthropological research expeditions in Madagascar. Russell also founded the Coton de Tulear Club of America in 1974.

Despite their popularity, the breed was not recognised by the American Kennel Club until 2014 because there were so few breeders.

In 1990, they were first recognized as a breed by The UK Kennel Club. Today, these charming little dogs are becoming more popular outside their native Madagascar, including in the United Kingdom. However, they remain a relatively rare breed.

Appearance

These charming little dogs look similar to the Bichon Frise as they also boast pure white, fluffy coats. Their large eyes are round, dark, and very expressive which adds to their endearing appearance. Their forefaces are pretty short and have a slightly rounded skull that appears triangular from above. The skull is also relatively wide compared to its length. These dogs have a slight stop and a beautiful black nose.

Their ears are slender and set high on the head. They are well-covered with long, fine hairs. In addition, they have strong jaws with a perfect scissor bite.

These dogs have relatively long necks that are slightly arched. They have well-laid-back shoulders and straight front legs. The bodies of Coton de Tulear are quite compact, boasting a good depth to the brisket. Their bellies are moderately tucked up. A slight rise over their loin can be seen, and their strong back legs are well-muscled. Their paws are small and round with black pads.

Cotons have well-feathered tails that taper to the tip. They are carried low when the dog is at rest. When they are alert, the tail is carried higher and level to their back.

These dogs have pure white coats that are slightly wavy and very soft to the touch, like cotton. Slight shadings of light grey, apricot, and fawn are allowed under the breed standard as long as the white colour remains prominent. Younger dogs and puppies can have higher levels of colour.

Personality

The Coton de Tulear is an intelligent, playful dog breed that thrives in human company. They enjoy being busy and love playing interactive games with the family. These affectionate dogs form strong bonds with their humans and are always eager to please them. With the right environment and handling, these dogs are relatively easy to train, especially if positive reinforcement methods are used.

Cotons are very people-oriented, so they don't like being left alone for long periods. These dogs are very susceptible to developing separation anxiety. They make excellent family pets and canine companions for families where someone is home for most of the day. Another interesting trait of the Coton de Tulear is their love of water. Many individuals will adore a good splash about or a swim but of course, this varies between individuals. Always make sure your Coton is supervised around water to prevent any incidents.

It’s worth noting that these charming little dogs can be very sensitive and because of this, they do not like being in overly noisy environments. Coton de Tulear dogs tend to be a little wary around strangers, but they rarely show any sort of aggressive behaviour. Instead, they tend to keep their distance and bark.

Coton de Tulear dogs are an excellent choice for novice dog owners. However, you do need to understand the grooming needs of this beautiful breed because they are fairly high maintenance.

Trainability

The Coton de Tulear is a highly intelligent little dog. They are always eager and willing to please their human companions. In the right hands, they are very easy to train and quick to learn new things. However, because of their sensitive natures, these dogs do not respond well to harsh correction or heavy-handed methods of training. This can lead them to become shy and timid. Cotons respond best to positive reinforcement. Make sure to keep their training and education consistent, so they understand what is expected of them.

Coton de Tulear dogs enjoy playing interactive games. So, this is a great way to teach them new tricks and commands. Remember that playtime can involve training too!

A Coton de Tulear can be successfully toilet trained at any age as long as you are willing to put in the effort. However, the best age to start is between 8 and 12 weeks of age.

Coat & Care

Coton de Tulear dogs have long, cotton-like coats that need regular grooming to remain in good condition. Brush your dog at least 3 times a week, however daily brushing is best. Use a pin head or slicker brush to prevent any mats or tangles from forming. It’s also worth noting that some of these dogs can suffer from skin issues, including allergies. So, speak to a vet if you notice your dog is continually scratching or if you notice any redness or sore areas.

Furthermore, it’s recommended that these dogs are taken to a professional groomer several times a year. This will make brushing and coat maintenance much easier in the long run.

Daily teeth brushing is the best option to prevent tooth and gum diseases and bad breath. However, brushing twice a week is sufficient enough to avoid any bacteria or tartar accumulation. Call your veterinarian for advice about the best products to use to keep their mouth, tongue, teeth, and gums clean.

In addition, regularly check their ears for excess wax and dirt buildup. Because their ears hang down over the head, Cotons can be susceptible to developing ear infections. So, make sure that the ears are kept dry and moist-free, and pay close attention to the ears after bathing or swimming. Regularly use a clean cotton ball or cloth with a vet-approved ear cleaner to lightly wipe the outer part of the ears. If you notice your dog shaking their head or scratching their ears more often than normal, call your veterinarian immediately because these can be symptoms of an ear infection. If an ear infection is left to fester, it can become much harder to treat.

Coton’s nails must be trimmed frequently to prevent overgrowth because this can become painful. Moreover, as you cut their nails, examine their paw pads to check they are free from cuts, swelling, and any redness.

Lastly, inspect the whole body during grooming sessions for any signs of soreness, irritation, or injury. Check their eyes too, to see if they are clear, clean, and free from irritation or discharge.

Health

The Coton de Tulear is known to be a healthy, long-lived breed as long as they are adequately cared for and fed on a high-quality diet that is tailored to their needs. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to developing certain conditions. When purchasing a Coton de Tulear, make sure you only do this through a reputable breeder. This will ensure that your puppy has been appropriately weaned and socialised. A good breeder will also be able to check for any hereditary health conditions.

Some of the health conditions seen in the Coton de Tulear include:

Bandera´s Neonatal Ataxia – Caused by a genetic mutation that affects the area of the brain called the cerebellum. This controls coordination and movement so can cause affected dogs to only be able to move in sideways or swimming motions. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this condition so a dog may never be able to walk normally.
Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 (PH 1) – A metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of a liver enzyme that breaks down calcium oxalate crystals so they can be eliminated from the system. Symptoms include abdominal pain, blood in the urine, lethargy, and a loss of appetite.
Von Willebrand's Disease – Considered to be the most common congenital bleeding disorder in dogs. It is caused by a deficiency in the number of specific proteins needed to help the platelets form clots.
Cataracts – An eye condition that causes the lens of the eye to cloud over, leading to sight problems and blindness.
Progressive retinal atrophy – A group of degenerative diseases that affect the photoreceptor cells of the eye. In this disease, these cells deteriorate over time, leading to blindness.
Luxating patella – This occurs when a dog’s patella, or kneecap, shifts out of alignment.

Children & Other Pets

These charming and affectionate dogs are known to be very good with children of all ages. However, it’s still best to supervise all interactions to ensure play time remains calm and no injuries occur. Remember the Coton de Tulear dogs can be sensitive to loud noises.

A Coton de Tulear will also get along well with other dogs, especially when they have been well-socialised from a young age. In addition, they are generally good around cats. Saying that, you must make sure any introductions are done slowly to allow your pets the time to get to know each other. These dogs have a history of being natural hunters in the Madagascan jungle so it's best not to leave them alone with smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs.