| Basic Info The Coton de Tuléar is a small
breed of dog. The Coton de Tuléar has a medium-length,
fluffy, cotton-like white coat that is hair rather than
fur. Coton's can also have lemon coloured, or grey,
markings on their ears. It weighs about 4.5 to 7kg (9 to
18lb) and is between 20 and 30cm (8.5 to 14in) tall. The
skull is slightly rounded and wider than it is long. The
muzzle is straight and shorter than the skull. The nose
is black in colour, brown tolerated but not preferable,
pink unacceptable. The lips are tight and of the same
colour as the nose. The teeth are in a scissor bite or
pincer bite. The eyes are round, dark in colour and wide
set. The expression should be lively, intelligent,
bright, and merry. The ears are triangular and set high.
The leather of the ear should be thin. The neck is
strong, without a dewlap and slightly arched. The chest
is well developed and reaches below the elbows. The feet
are small and arched. The back should be strong and
slightly arched. The pads of the feet are black. The
body is of moderate lengh and should have a moderate
tuck up. The loin is muscular and not too long. The hind
legs are strong and straight. The hind feet similar to
the front feet. the Dewclaws may be removed. The tail is
low set and tapering, carried over the back when in
motion or excited, relaxed otherwise.
Health
The Coton de Tulear is in general a healthy breed.
Being fairly rare it has not been overbred or bred in
puppy mills and as a result there are no genetic
diseases that are prevalent in the breed. They are
long-lived and normally live between 14 and 18 years.
Behavior
The Coton de Tulear is a playful, affectionate,
intelligent breed. It loves people and as a result can
have separation anxiety. It loves life and is
enthusiastic and lively. It is a very vocal breed,
grunting and making other noises when having fun. The
Coton often exhibits shyness or cautiousness in new
situations, especially around strangers, but this can be
overcome with training. It is very trainable as long as
it is trained with praise rather than punishment as it
lives to please its people.
Origin
Madagascar
History
The Coton's ancestors were thought to have been
brought to Madagascar in the 16th century by sailors
from Spain and Portugal and is named after the port city
of Tulear. The Coton is believed to be related to the
Bichon family of dogs, perhaps linked most closely to
the Bichon Tenerife. The breed arrived at the port of
Tulear in the late 1600's, probably after catching
passage on mercantile ships sailing out of Europe. This
new small, friendly dog caught the fancy of the Merina
royalty, and was bred into what is known today as the
Coton de Tulear. Today the breed is increasing in
popularity, but the dog is still largely unknown among
the general population. It has its strongest presence in
North America, and is supported by several kennel clubs.
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