Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Pets Feed
Coton de Tulear is a beautiful Malagasy pet dog. Its main feature is the white cotton coat, soft and textured, hence its name. It is a dog capable of adapting to any situation, loving, sociable and ideal for families and for single people or seniors, as long as they have the time that this breed requires.
If you are looking for a dog to spend a large part of your time playing with and offering all your love, the Coton de Tulear is undoubtedly the partner you are looking for. But if your you have to spend long hours away from your home, it is best to opt for a different breed of dog or to look for a good dog daycare.
Coton De Tulear photos
Physical characteristics
The Coton de Tulear is very similar to the Maltese, and most fanciers will consider it a crossbreed of one of the breeds.
He is a small dog but not tiny. According to the breed standard, males weigh 4-6 kg, height at the withers 25-30 cm, females weigh 3.5-5 kg, height at the withers 22-27 cm.
Body contours are hidden under the coat, but the dogs are stronger than similar-sized breeds.
Distinctive features
- Head: The head is small. Seen from above, it appears triangular. The skull is flat. The transition from forehead to muzzle is pronounced. The length of the muzzle is approximately equal to the length of the skull.
- Jaws: Scissor bite. The teeth are strong and complete.
- Ears: Ears of medium length, pendulous, close to the cheekbones. Tied high and at a great distance from each other.
- Eyes: The eyes are round. Located deep and at a great distance. Eye color is dark.
- Frame: The chest is voluminous, wide. The topline is straight. The back is short and muscular. The belly is moderately upturned.
- Limbs: The legs are short, thick, set straight against each other. The paws are oval, the fingers are short, tightly compressed.
- Coat: The coat is long, fluffy, moderately hard. The color is white with discreet smoky spots.
Character and behavior
The Coton de Tulear breed is above all a faithful companion and boyfriend. In fact, he is both a first and last companion, since the dog in principle cannot perform other functions.
These animals have inner nobility, perfectly understand a person, his mood, are very attached to their owners and try to spend all their time with them.
With the children
These dogs get along well with children, they will be happy to play together.
With other animals
He normally perceives other pets, including cats. But for more confidence, they should be introduced at an early age. With small animals (rats, guinea pigs) there can always be problems, but this is not a fact.
Health
The Coton de Tulear is a breed with good health, but it can suffer from hereditary diseases, among the most common it should be noted:
- Fungal diseases of the skin.
- Glaucoma.
- Liver cirrhosis.
- Problems with the circulatory system and the heart.
- Displacement of the joints of the spine.
- Cataract.
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of the Coton de Tulear is between 14 and 16 years.
Care
Representatives of the breed are demanding in care:
- The Coton de Tulear does not shed, but its coat must be brushed daily with a special brush with metal teeth. The coat of domestic dogs of this breed can be trimmed 2 times a year.
- Bathe the dog every 2-3 weeks using special shampoos. After bathing, the dog’s coat should be dried by drying so that the animal does not get sick.
- After eating and walking, the dog should wash its face and paws.
- Each week, carefully inspect and clean the animal’s ears.
- Your pet’s eyes should be washed weekly.
- In the summer, dogs of this breed need treatment from insects, ticks and other parasites. Every 4 months, the animal must be dewormed.
Exercise
Coton de Tulear needs more exercise than other breeds of small dogs. However, he adapts very well to different situations, because his size allows him to exercise indoors.
Fun facts
- Its resemblance to the Maltese is such that puppies are practically impossible to differentiate between the two breeds. In adulthood, these differences are due to the size and the cotton of Tulear is slightly larger, the shape of his head and the nuances of his fur.
- If you do not know if a copy belongs to the Coton de Tulear breed or to the Maltese bichon, there are several options to define the breed according to the standard. You can consult the veterinarian to check and compare its characteristics. Likewise, canine beauty contest judges can give you the solution regarding the breed due to their experience.
- Finally, the FCI can review the measurements and characteristics of a specimen to define its breed. If you want to share your life with a small dog of Coton de Tulear breed, always look for a reliable breeder with experience in the breed, because it is only then that you will have the guarantees of health of the puppy and all any breed information you may need. In addition, you will have no doubt about the breed to which your new animal belongs. Never trust pet stores or private sales where the puppies have a dubious origin, because you favor the blind breeding of puppies.
History of the breed
Known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar, it is a long-established breed that takes its name from Tuléar, a port city located on the southwest coast of the island.
It is said that in the 15th century, several dogs of the Bichon breed survived a sinking and swam to Tulear, where they mated with the local burrows, giving birth to Coton de Tuléar.
It became a very popular dog in noble households, so much so that a law prohibiting the possession of this breed to those who did not belong to the nobility was published.
