Coton de Tuléar is a small or toy dog breed named for the city of Tuléar in Madagascar and for its soft and fluffy cotton-like coat.
Origin
It is believed that the Tenerife dog was brought to Madagascar and mated with a dog of the island, creating this unexpectedly cute, white and fluffy result.
The Coton’s ancestors were possibly brought to the island in the 16th and 17th centuries aboard pirate ships and as the breed was developed on Madagascar, it is still the island’s national dog.
Description
Coton’s tail should curl over its back. They come in three accepted colors: white, black and white, and tricolor. However, all white is preferred by show breeders.
The standard weight is 8.8 to 13.2 lb (4 to 6 kg) for males, and 7.7 to 11.0 lb (3.5 to 5 kg) for females, while the Coton’s height is between 9.8 to 11.8 in (25 to 30 cm) for males, and 8.7 to 10.6 in (22 to 27 cm) for the ladies.
As for their temperament, Coton pooches are very playful, affectionate and intelligent.
Though generally quiet, they can become quite loud when having fun. These white balls of fur love meeting new people and are very curious in new situations.
Pros
- excellent with kids
- extremely cat/dog friendly
- trainable
- intelligent
- adaptable
- affectionate
- hypoallergenic
Cons
- may develop heart issues
Should I adopt/buy a Coton?
If you are looking for a small and fluffy family dog that will be playful, lovable, loyal, trainable and great with the little ones, Coton De Tuléar is definitely the breed to consider.
In your article, you stated that besides the distinctive soft, cotton-like white hair, the breed has a prominent black nose, large expressive eyes which are usually covered by bangs, and somewhat short legs. My kids have been bugging me all summer about getting a family dog for them to play with. I wonder what the regulations and rules are for breeding this type of dog.