Coton de Tulear Information and History
 
The Coton de Tulear, pronounced "Coe-TAWN- day-too--lee-are," means "cotton of Tulear."  The Coton is a rare, ancient pure-breed that originated on Madagascar more than three centuries ago. The Coton was exclusively the dog of Royal Malagasy nobles, but now this exceptional, elegant companion is available to a select few outside that legendary land.

We are excited to share this lovely breed with everyone.  This is the sweetest little breed, with wonderful personalities, gorgeous cottony coats, and the most precious little faces you can ever imagine. 

We have two generations of breeding experience behind our Coton de Tulear puppies.

Lucy and Bear Graduating from Obedience Training!
 

A Clown-like Disposition

The Coton is bred to and raised to be strictly a companion dog.  Because of their delightful personalities, small size, dark eyes, long lashes, and super charm, they are said to sometimes actually smile!  The breed is not known to be vicious, but needs to be socialized at an early age due to shyness in some puppies.  They bond easily to the humans in their lives, and are lovingly referred to as, "Little Clowns" due to their playful demeanor.  Probably the most outstanding characteristic of the Coton de Tulear is its behavior. The Coton is a "companion dog," bred for the pure delight of its intelligent, loving attention to its human family. It is very intelligent, and studies its human family with great care. The Coton is an alert, lively companion, but it is slow to anger. Most Cotons bark seldom, although some will act as alarm clocks and guard dogs.


Coton Standard and Size 

The Coton de Tulear earned its name from its unique, cotton-like hair, and for a port city in Madagascar, Tulear.  Its dry, wind-tossed coat is probably the easiest to maintain of any long-haired breed, but it still requires regular grooming. The hair is about four-to-six inches long, dries quickly when wet, and requires relatively little brushing. It sheds very little, and most people find Cotons to be hypoallergenic, and they  rarely bother people who suffer from chronic allergies.  The Coton usually stand from around 10-12 inches and weigh from 8 -15 pounds.  The body is rectangular and the back line should be slightly convex.  The head is triangular and rather small.                                                                           

Color

Coton de Tulear puppies are often born with color that fades as the puppy reaches adulthood. Patches of cream, black and brown, notably on the ears and allowed usually on no more than 1/3 of the body hair, are often seen are permissible.  However, the Coton should be predominantly white by the time it reaches adulthood.
 

Perfect Companions

Cotons are hearty dogs and, with acclimation, frolic in desert heat and winter snow. However, the Coton is strictly an indoor dog. The breed is extremely healthy, long-lived, and, in the North American population of Cotons, the breed has no known genetic defects. They live about 16 years; the oldest survived for almost 19 years.

Cotons and your family

Cotons are calm, sturdy dogs, most of whom enjoy the well-intentioned rough-housing of children. Cotons enjoy most household pets including other dogs and cats. A Coton may cock its head attentively when spoken to, smile, and stand or walk on its hind legs to please its human family. Cotons are easily trained.
 
 

Grooming your new Coton de Tulear puppy
Your Coton de Tulear requires grooming - lots of it.  When your Coton is still a puppy you may believe that grooming is a breeze - and for now it is!  However, do not be fooled into thinking you can get away with out brushing your puppy as it becomes an adult! 

While your puppy is young you have the opportunity to not only learn to groom him, but also to teach him the rules of the game!  The rules are -- he must be groomed and therefore he must accept all the aspects of grooming without fidgeting and fighting you.  It is best to start right away so that when the grooming does become more intense you will not be fighting a dog that has better ideas!

Start with the right tools!  You will want a good quality pin brush with uncoated metal pins.  Helpful also is a "poodle" comb, and a "greyhound" comb, as well a nail clippers.  Here are a few pictures of the products you may wish to purchase.  These products can be ordered on-line at Jeffers Pet listed below!

Pin Brush                                       Poodle Comb

Greyhound Comb                                  Resco Comb

Nail Trimmers           
 
You may wish to purchase a grooming table as well, though it is not absolutely necessary.  The grooming arm and noose are not required.

Start grooming your puppy as soon as you get him home and settled.  Keep the sessions short and fun, but make sure the puppy understands what you require of him.  Use the various combs and brushes on him even though any one of these will do the job on its own right now.  As he gets older the various grooming tools will need to be used and you want him to be used to them from the start. 

Lightly use a spray conditioner when you are grooming.  This will help avoid breakage while grooming and will provide the coat with extra conditioning.  Use the poodle comb for an initial combing, followed by the greyhound comb, then the pin brush.  Remember to be gentle.  The idea is to preserve coat, not break it.  If there is a knot or mat, gently separate the hairs using your fingers, do not pull the mat out in a clump.  Your resco comb is handy in the facial areas.

Following the grooming, once or twice a week you will want to clean out the ears with a mild ear cleaning solution and a cotton ball.  Do not try to dig into the ear.  Any foul smell or reddish brown buildup requires veterinary attention as soon as possible as it means your puppy has an ear inflammation or infection.  You will also want to trim your puppies nails once a week.  Take a little bit off the nails at a time to avoid cutting the quick of the nail.  If you do cut the quick your puppy will scream and the nail will bleed.  While painful, this is not serious and a styptic powder will eliminate the bleeding.  In a pinch flour works reasonably well in place of styptic powder.

Every two to three weeks or so you will want to bathe your puppy.  Ensure that you use a quality shampoo and conditioner.  Prior to bathing you will want to ensure that your puppy is tangle/knot/mat free.  If you bathe a dog that has knots or tangles they will tighten to the point of needed to be shaved out.  So, carefully brush the dog first.  Make sure that you rinse all shampoo and conditioners out of the coat thoroughly.  Rinse, rinse, then rinse some more.  When finished, put your puppy in a towel and pat dry.  DO NOT RUB or you will have one very large white knot in your arms.  Brush out your puppy and blow dry.  Make certain you have dried out his ears with a cotton ball.