With their intelligent and curious gaze, the Coton de Tulear from Madagascar captures the hearts of dog lovers around the world. These small purebred dogs know how to use their charm and will delight you with their cheerful nature, balanced temperament, and fluffy appearance.

History of the Coton de Tulear

The roots of the Coton de Tulear can be traced back to Madagascar. It still bears the name Tulear after the eponymous port city in Madagascar. Due to its fluffy coat, the breed was referred to as the “Cotton Dog.” As a descendant of the Bichon family, it is associated with breeds like the Maltese, Bolognese, Havanese, and Bichon Frise.

During colonial times, the French nobility discovered these charming dogs, and the affluent French upper class followed suit, quickly making the small dogs a fixture in many salons. After the French colonial rulers declared the breed as the “royal breed,” it was forbidden for the common population to keep dogs of this breed. To this day, the breed is listed as French in the studbook, reflecting its colonial history. However, the “Cotton Dog from Tulear” became known in Europe and North America only in the 1970s, and it was during this time that the breed standards for Coton de Tulear purebred dogs were established, and the FCI recognized the Cotton Dog as a distinct breed.

Nature and Character

Even Coton de Tulear puppies shine with their sociable and friendly nature, and with their balanced temperament, they will capture your heart. The Coton de Tulear happily frolics through the world and approaches people openly. But the Coton de Tulear also gets along excellently with other dogs and animals and enjoys having a playmate by its side. Whether it’s a Coton de Tulear puppy or a mature Cotton Dog, these intelligent dogs know what they want and how to wrap you around their little paw.

They know how to use their button eyes and clearly express their desires. Even if the Coton de Tulear sometimes presents itself as a small and extroverted maverick, you won’t be able to stay mad at this ball of fluff. The lovable four-legged friends like to use their charm to delight their audience, and they thrive on being admired and praised by visitors. Nevertheless, the Coton de Tulear forms a close bond with its human and clearly shows its great love. Being alone is not its thing, but with proper training, Cotton Dogs know how to behave and make good companion dogs who want to spend every minute of the day with you.

Acquiring a Coton de Tulear

When considering acquiring a Coton de Tulear, you should first ask yourself, how old can a Coton de Tulear get? With a lifespan of 15 to 19 years and more, the life expectancy for a purebred dog is high. Therefore, before thinking about costs, you should be clear whether you are willing to provide a loving home for the Coton de Tulear into old age and be a reliable life companion for it. Second, of course, comes the question, how much does a Cotton Dog cost?

Although the breed is becoming increasingly popular, they are rather rare, and so reputable breeders charge prices between $1,000 and $2,000 for a purebred Coton de Tulear. The Coton de Tulear Club is a good point of contact when looking for reputable breeders. Additionally, you should also consider whether the Cotton Dog really suits you. Although the “cute ball of wool” may make every heart beat faster at first glance, you should still be aware that the Coton de Tulear is indeed a four-legged friend who requires attention and is very affectionate.

What should I consider when buying?

Ideally, you should approach a breeder who is a member of one of the two Coton de Tulear clubs affiliated with the AKC (American Kennel Club). Get a first impression of the breeder and the parent animals. The animals should be integrated into the family and leave a healthy and active impression. Also, when you see the Coton de Tulear puppies, don’t just be captivated by them; make sure they appear lively and healthy. Ask the breeder to show you both the pedigree and the veterinary records.

Additionally, the breeder will have documented his litter photographically, so you can track the development of the puppies. In the United States, around 200 registered Coton de Tulear puppies are born each year, which clearly indicates that the number of registered breeders in the breeding club is manageable. Nevertheless, you should steer clear of a supposedly cheap Cotton Dog puppy, as these usually come from hobby breeding or are Coton de Tulear mixes. With mixed breeds, it is often difficult to determine the specific mix, and you cannot be sure that the puppies will have the typical Coton de Tulear temperament.

Puppy Development and Training

When it comes to training a Coton de Tulear, you should always be aware that you could become the problem yourself. From puppyhood, the balanced four-legged friend is very sociable and adaptable and has a good sense of how to get his way. Even though the Cotton Dog is naturally an excellent companion, you should give him a consistent and loving education, even if it’s difficult for you with the sweet gaze of the Coton de Tulear. When is a Coton de Tulear fully grown? The transition from puppy to adult dog is gradual and rapid, so you can consider a Cotton Dog fully grown after 13 months at the latest. However, his doll-like face ensures that he continues to fit the “baby schema” into old age and thus never completely loses his puppy charm.

How do I care for a Coton de Tulear?

Whether in the countryside or in the city, the small, lovable four-legged friend gets along well everywhere. With his open nature, cheerful demeanor, and adaptability, the little one always makes a good impression by your side. He is curious about strangers, gets along well with children and other pets, and enjoys spending time with “his” people. However, the Coton de Tulear doesn’t like being alone, so you should take him with you whenever possible during your activities. As a calm and sociable companion, he also makes an excellent office dog and, with appropriate training, even serves as a therapy dog.

Activities with the Coton de Tulear

Although the Coton de Tulear doesn’t require major athletic challenges, it still loves to play and romp around outdoors. The energetic little rascal may not be a big hunter, but some individuals are passionate mouse hunters, so you should train the dog’s recall from a young age, making it possible to walk off-leash in fields, meadows, and wooded areas. As a eager learner and agile creature, Coton de Tulears can also be enthusiastic about clicker training, agility for small dogs, and dog dancing.

Health and Care

In general, the Coton de Tulear is equipped with robust health. However, like other small dogs, knee problems can occur. Responsible breeders test their parent animals for eye diseases, nerve diseases, and knee problems. If the parent animals are healthy and you choose a reputable breeder, then the likelihood that the Cotton Dog will enjoy excellent health into old age is high. Of course, good nutrition is also important for this, so you should opt for high-quality food and not be too easily swayed by begging at the table.

In terms of grooming, it is important to brush and comb daily. Does a Coton de Tulear have an undercoat? This question is often asked and can be answered with a clear no, even though the fluffy coat may suggest otherwise. Daily coat care is essential, as the long fur of the Cotton Dog tends to knot and tangle easily if not regularly groomed. The Coton doesn’t need a haircut or undergo seasonal shedding. You should also plan for regular baths, using mild dog shampoo and conditioner to keep the coat smooth.

Interesting and Worth Knowing

How old do Cotton Dogs get? As mentioned earlier, the Coton de Tulear reaches a relatively high age, averaging between 15 and 19 years. This is due in part to careful breeding and the fact that some breeders have continually expanded the gene pool of the breed with wild captures from Africa.