Dog Breed

Coton de Tulear

Fits in your backpackLong-livedMischievousHypoallergenic
Primary image of Coton de Tulear dog breed
Full Name
Coton de Tulear
Alternate Names
Coton, Cotton dog, Royal Dog of Madagascar
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Life Span
13 - 16 years
Weight
9 - 15 pounds
Description

This small ball of fur, or should we say it more precisely - "cotton" from what they got their name, will bring life, joy, and happiness to any home. They are here to clown around and make you laugh while keeping you safe. They may not be the most adequate guard dogs due to their size, but they are loyal and will always be by your side.

Interestingly enough, the Coton de Tulear did not originate from France as many imagine because of its name, but from Madagascar. There are some indications that they may have been used as ratting dogs, to keep away rats and other rodents on long sea voyages, but they were also used for simple companionship. They were a common dog companion to royalty, and it is easy to see why- they are proud, like to cuddle, and almost have a human nature to them.

Origin
Madagascar
Bred For
Accompanying ladies on long sea voyages, ratters onboard ship.
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Coton de Tulear good with children?

    Yes, the Coton de Tulear is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Coton de Tulear naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Coton de Tulear friendly with strangers?

    Yes! The Coton de Tulear is naturally friendly with everyone. As always, socialization is always important, but the Coton de Tulear typically loves everyone they meet
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Coton de Tulear friendly with other dogs?

    Yes! The Coton de Tulear naturally loves other dogs. As always, socialization is always important, but the Coton de Tulear typically gets along with every dog it meets
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Coton de Tulear like to cuddle?

    The Coton de Tulear loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
    Playfulness

    Does the Coton de Tulear like to play?

    The Coton de Tulear will almost always be ready for play! The Coton de Tulear is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Coton de Tulear make a good service dog?

    The Coton de Tulear would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Coton de Tulear good for first-time owners?

    The Coton de Tulear is a good breed for first-time owners. A good fit for first-time owners are friendly breeds that are motivated to please their owner. This means they can be trained, and are rarely aggressive and overpowering.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Coton de Tulear be trained?

    The Coton de Tulear can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Coton de Tulear can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Coton de Tulear shed a lot?

    The Coton de Tulear does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Coton de Tulear easy to groom?

    The Coton de Tulear requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Coton de Tulear to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Coton de Tulear on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Coton de Tulear need a lot of exercise?

    The Coton de Tulear requires some daily exercise, but daily walks should be enough. The Coton de Tulear appreciates going outside and on daily walks, but they will be ok without anything overly athletic.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Coton de Tulear?

    The Coton de Tulear has average intelligence. They are smart and witty, but do not need to be constantly challenged mentally, as some other breeds.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Coton de Tulear bark? Does the Coton de Tulear bark too much?

    The Coton de Tulear occasionally barks, but only for specific reasons such as when they need something, for protection, etc.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Coton de Tulear a good guard dog?

    The Coton de Tulear is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Coton de Tulear good at staying alone? Is the Coton de Tulear independent?

    The Coton de Tulear prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The Coton de Tulear still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Coton de Tulear a good apartment dog?

    The Coton de Tulear is an excellent dog breed for an apartment. Some daily exercise is still important, but if they get that then the apartment will be more than enough for them to call home.
    Size

    How big is the Coton de Tulear?

    The Coton de Tulear is one of the smallest dog breeds- suited well for apartment living and very convenient for travel.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Coton de Tulear tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Coton de Tulear?

    The Coton de Tulear can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Coton de Tulear tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Coton de Tulear?

    The Coton de Tulear can tolerate some cold, but should not be over-exposed to cold weather. In general, they can live in cold weather climates, but may need clothing on particularly cold evenings or in snow.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Coton de Tulear try to run away?

    The Coton de Tulear does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Coton de Tulear a healthy dog? The health of a Coton de Tulear should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Coton de Tulear is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Coton de Tulear high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Coton de Tulear?

    The Coton de Tulear has a good amount of energy and it's important to give the Coton de Tulear daily walks and ideally run time as well. A well-exercised dog is easier to train, and will be happier and have less likelihood for destructive habits.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Coton de Tulear drool?

    The Coton de Tulear does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Coton de Tulear have a large prey drive? Does the Coton de Tulear like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Coton de Tulear has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
    Athleticism

    Is the Coton de Tulear atheltic?

    The Coton de Tulear can have athletic moments, and bursts of speed, but does not have the endurance as other highly athletic dog breeds. They would do great for occasional jogs, but probably not the best for long-distance runs or anything more athletic than that.
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Breed Variations

  • Image for the White variation for dog breed

    White

  • Image for the Tricolor variation for dog breed

    Tricolor

  • Image for the Black and White variation for dog breed

    Black and White

  1. Non-Sporting
  2. Bichon
  3. Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a purebred dog that belongs to the Bichon sub group, which falls under the larger Non-Sporting dog breed group.
Non-Sporting group: The Non-Sporting group of dogs is probably the most diverse in the sense that it has a variety of dogs, and they were not all bred for one specific purpose. Each breed in the non-sporting group is unique! They have been primarily bred as house pets, and because of that make excellent additions to the family. Exercise is still important for them, but the typical non-sporting dog does not have the energy of of a sporting or working group dog.
Bichon sub-group: Bichons are typically small white dogs that were previously known as Barbichon dogs. Bichon's are a very ancient dog breed, and originate from Spain, presumably from the Canary Islands. It wasn't until the 13th century that they started being associated with royalty... a reputation that still holds today! Bichons need to be frequently groomed, but the result will be an absolutely royal looking dog. Bichons have a hypoallergenic coat, which is smooth to the touch, making them even more of a perfect lap dog. Bichons are adaptable and friendly with children and dogs. They are focused and proud, so can make decent guard dogs. They are the ideal city dogs because of their size, confidence, and swag. On top of all of this, the Bichon can be trained fairly easily, making them an excellent option for first time dog owners.

Coton de Tulears for adoption

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