Coton de Tulear
Where Is the Coton de Tulear From?
The Coton de Tulear is thought to be a close descendant of the Bichon Tenerife, the Maltese, and an extinct breed known as the Coton de Reunion. Their ancestors were brought to Tulear (in Madagascar) from Reunion, another island in the Indian Ocean, via trading ships in the 17th century. It is believed that they bred with local dogs, eventually developing into the Coton de Tulear we know and love today.
The attractive breed caught the eye of Tulear nobles and quickly became their preferred animal companion. Nobility enjoyed their company so much that they outlawed possession of the breed by commoners to keep the blood lines pure. This method worked for centuries and the breed remained isolated in Tulear until the mid-20th century when a few dogs were legally exported to Europe.
The breed arrived on U.S. soil in 1974 by way of American biologist Robert Russell. In an effort to improve breeding stock, a male Coton de Tulear was imported from Madagascar as recently as 1999.
The Coton de Tulear remains one of the rarest dog breeds in the world.
Caring for a Coton de Tulear
What Kind of Diet Does a Coton de Tulear Need?
What Kind of Diet Does a Coton de Tulear Need?
As with most house dogs, the Coton de Tulear needs their calorie intake monitored to avoid obesity. They require a healthy and age-appropriate diet.
How Much Grooming Does a Coton de Tulear Need?
How Much Grooming Does a Coton de Tulear Need?
Cotons de Tulear do not shed, but require daily brushing and regular grooming to prevent their hair from matting. Their ears also contain hair and should be checked frequently for any evidence of infection or irritation. Regular nail trims are also recommended.
Are Cotons de Tulear Healthy Dogs?
Are Cotons de Tulear Healthy Dogs?
Cotons de Tulear are healthy dogs, predisposed to only a few diseases. They are known to suffer from hip dysplasia, which is a hereditary malformation of the hip joints. This can result in pain, lameness, and arthritis. Symptoms can be minimized by weight management and avoiding excess exercise.
They can also have luxating patellas, which is when the knee cap is displaced to the inside of the knee joint. In some cases, the displacement is permanent. Severe cases may require corrective surgery.
They have also been associated with progressive retinal atrophy, a genetic disease that causes retinal degeneration.
Their life span is 14 to 19 years.
The Coton de Tulear breed is predisposed to: hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and progressive retinal atrophy.
How Much Training Does a Coton de Tulear Need?
How Much Training Does a Coton de Tulear Need?
Cotons can be a territorial breed, so early socialization is recommended. Getting them used to other people and animals early will ensure a positive outcome from frequent trips to the groomer later in life.
Keeping them interested in training exercises is key. They love bonding with their family and prefer positive reinforcement methods of training.
How Much Exercise Do Cotons de Tulear Need?
How Much Exercise Do Cotons de Tulear Need?
The Coton de Tulear breed requires a moderate amount of exercise. They’re passionate about playing fetch and running around the house or yard. Because they love family time so much, they require a lot of attention and can become destructive if bored or ignored.
What Are the Physical Characteristics of a Coton de Tulear?
Coton de Tulear Facts
Other Breeds to Explore
References
- Morris, Desmond. Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Dog Breeds. Trafalgar Square, 2002.
- Wilcox, Bonnie and Chris Walkowicz. The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. T.F.H Publications, Inc., 1995.
- Coton de Tulear Dog Breed Information. American Kennel Club, 2021.