Affection Level
High
Friendliness
High
Kid-Friendly
High
Pet-Friendly
High
Exercise Needs
Medium
Playfulness
High
Energy Level
Medium
Trainability
Medium
Intelligence
Medium
Tendency to Bark
Low
Amount of Shedding
Low
History of the Coton de Tulear
The coton de Tulear breed gets its name from the dog’s cotton-like coat and the seaport town of Tulear in Madagascar.
The breed’s history is unclear, but its ancestors likely arrived in Madagascar in the 16th and 17th centuries. During that time, sailors kept little canine companions, such as the Maltese. The small dogs that arrived in Madagascar bred with the native dogs, ultimately resulting in the coton de Tulear.
The people of Madagascar doted on these little white dogs and largely kept the breed isolated to the island. Through selective breeding, they fine-tuned the dogs’ health, temperament, and appearance. Today’s cotons rarely have genetic health issues as long as they come from reputable breeders.
French tourists stumbled upon the breed in the 1960s, and after that, the cotton de Tulear began to spread around Europe and North America. The American Kennel Club eventually recognized the breed in 2014.
Coton de Tulear Care
The coton de Tulear has moderate exercise needs and usually responds well to training, but they do require a consistent grooming routine.
Exercise
Cotons are medium-energy dogs, but thanks to their small size, roughly an hour of exercise per day should suffice. Morning and evening strolls are ideal, along with games of fetch and other playtime activities. Plus, this breed tends to enjoy dog sports, including obedience, rally, and agility.
Puzzle toys are also a great way to exercise a coton’s body and mind. These dogs can get bored easily without enough activity, and they might find destructive ways to entertain themselves. So make sure you can dedicate enough time to exercising your dog.
Grooming
The coton de Tulear is considered a hypoallergenic breed, so they could be a good option for those with allergies—but there is no such thing as a completely allergen-free dog.
While they are a lower-allergen breed, they do require a consistent grooming routine. Start grooming them regularly at a young age to get them used to being brushed and handled, which will save you both discomfort through the years.
Because the coton de Tulear has long, dense hair, their coat should be brushed at least three times per week with a pin brush. Take extra care around the ears, legs, and elbows where the coat is more likely to mat or tangle. If your coton has very tough mats or tangles, try spritzing them with a conditioning spray and gently remove them with your fingers.
How often your coton de Tulear needs a bath depends largely on their exposure to dirt and dust and the frequency with which you brush them. In general, more brushing means fewer baths. When you bathe your coton, pat them dry—don’t rub—to prevent tangling their hair. You can also use a whitening shampoo if their coat is looking dingy.
Check your coton’s ears at least weekly for wax buildup, debris, and irritation. Also clip their nails regularly, and frequently brush their teeth.
Training
Cotons are highly intelligent and trainable and can perform in agility or obedience. Start training and socializing your coton using positive training methods as soon as you bring them home.
Aim to expose your coton to different people, other dogs, and various locations from an early age to build their comfort and confidence. Most cotons tend to be charming and curious when meeting new people and having positive experiences can reinforce this.
These dogs aren’t considered the best watchdogs, even though they can be protective of their family and bark to alert you to things.
Common Health Problems
Cotons are generally an extremely healthy breed. While hereditary health issues are uncommon, some can occur, including:
Luxating patella: This condition causes the kneecap to slip out of place, leading to symptoms like limping.
Hip dysplasia: This condition causes the hip to develop abnormally, resulting in mobility problems.
Heart problems: Cotons have a higher risk of heart disease, so keep an eye out for symptoms like coughing or trouble breathing, and have your veterinarian examine your dog regularly.
Eye problems: Eye conditions that can affect cotons include multifocal retinopathy 2 which causes retinal detachment, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) which causes vision loss.
Skin allergies: Itchy skin might be caused by an allergy which, if not treated, could lead to skin injuries and infections.
Dental problems: Brushing your dog’s teeth can help prevent infections and plaque and tartar buildup that could lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
Ear infections: Because cotons have floppy ears and a lot of fur, they can be susceptible to infections, so keep their ears clean and the hair around their ears trimmed.
Diet and Nutrition
Always have fresh water available for your coton. And feed a high-quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet. It’s typical to feed two measured meals per day, and you might feed a total of 3/4 cup daily.
Discuss both the quantity and type of diet with your vet to ensure that you’re meeting your dog’s individual needs. Monitor treats and other extra food closely, as even weight gain of a pound can be a lot for this little dog.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Coton de Tulear
The coton de Tulear is a rare breed, so expect to pay around $2,000 to $4,000 for a puppy from a reputable breeder, though this can vary widely.
It’s also worth checking local animal shelters and rescue groups for a dog in need of a home.
For further information to connect you with a coton de Tulear, check out:
Coton de Tulear Overview
The coton de Tulear isn’t just an adorable pet with a beautiful coat; these dogs make amazing companions that will be devoted to you and enjoy doing a variety of things with you. Just be prepared to spend a good amount of time making sure their coat remains healthy.
Pros of Cotons de Tulear
Very affectionateTypically good with kids and other dogsGenerally very healthy
Cons of Cotons de Tulear
High grooming needsCan become destructive when boredDoesn’t like to be left alone and might experience separation anxiety
More Dog Breeds and Further Research
Before bringing home a coton de Tulear, do your research to make sure the breed is right for your lifestyle. Talk to breed owners, rescue groups, reputable breeders, and veterinarians. Try to spend some time with cotons if possible.
If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:
FAQ
The coton de Tulear is still a rare breed around the world, as it has even faced extinction at times due to having a small gene pool. But there are breeders and organizations dedicated to preserving it.
Properly trained and socialized cotons can be excellent family dogs. They generally are gentle and patient with well-mannered kids.
Cotons are expensive. A reputable breeder might charge $2,000 to $4,000, on average, for a coton de Tulear.
