The Coton de Tulear is mostly known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar. Among its primary traits, being a loyal companion tops the list. Simply put, it loves to be loved. It forms a strong bond with its favorite human or family, and it wants to make them laugh.
This pup is known for clowning around, and it has a great ability to walk on its hind legs. It’s small but full of life and energy. Its low weight of around 12 pounds allows it to be the perfect pet to cuddle. Plus, it’s soft and fluffy, making for a wonderful lapdog.
Its cute hair is mostly hypoallergenic, so anyone with allergies who needs a buddy should consider these puppies. If you’re ready to welcome one into your home, it will be a witty and happy friend. It’ll always be around through thick and thin, and won’t let you down.
Coton de Tulear Dog Breed Pictures
Appearance
How Big do Coton de Tulear Get
You should brush the beautiful coat of your Maltese dog daily to prevent twisting and dirt. Their locks require regular bathing and treatment for a silky shine. To keep the fur from covering their eyes, make sure to give your Maltese haircuts frequently. It is very important that the whole family learns how to take care of a Maltese puppy. The care routine should include teeth brushing and ear cleaning.
Temperament
The Coton boasts a personality very similar to a child’s. It has a strong desire to please, so it’s important to be nice to this little one. Otherwise, it will shy away from you. Their only goal is to make their human happy, therefore training is easy and met with a favorable outcome.
This puppy needs to be introduced to people and other pets as soon as possible. Without this, they can be hesitant around animals and humans, which is not in their real nature. They’re a great housemate for kids, cats, and other dogs. Plus, they love to entertain everyone. They will perform a number of fun tricks!
Smart and loyal, the Coton de Tulear is totally devoted to its owner. Though it isn’t much of a guard dog, it’s still very protective and vocal. Their barking will alert their family to anything out of the ordinary. Every day, you’ll know when the mail comes or if a visitor is stopping by.
Living Needs
These playful pups just want to have fun! They’re active but don’t spend all day wanting to run around. As they’re content with being a lapdog, all they need is a half-hour to an hour daily walk. A fenced-in yard will help keep them fit and healthy, but this is not a necessity.
The Coton will be quite happy running around a tiny room, making it perfect for small homes and apartments. Yet, it’s important to ensure that you don’t leave them alone for long periods of time. This cute and sweet little dog can and will get bored easily without any human interaction. Therefore, it’s best if the owner works from or stays at home.
Chewing and barking are some of the ways they voice displeasure, which leads to destruction and annoyance. To prevent this, never leave your Coton de Tulear unattended for more than a few hours at a time. In fact, it’s a good idea to let them come along when you go out.
Always ready for an adventure, these puppers make wonderful travel companions. They’re equally thrilled going on vacation or a quick trip to the store. As long as they’re with their owner, they’ll be happy.
Care
How To Groom Maltese
Do Coton de Tulear shed? Not too much, but there are some key facts and information tidbits you need to know before adoption. For one, you have to take care of their beautiful hair. Bathing ideally should occur every week, but never go longer than three weeks without giving them a thorough washing.
Knowing how to groom a Coton de Tulear the right way will avoid a lot of unnecessary problems. Start close to the skin, as this sensitive area is most prone to matting. Daily brushing for this fur baby is best. However, you must do it at least three times every week. A haircut always helps, especially if there are a lot of tangles. And make sure to be gentle! Use a soft comb or a pin brush, as a ball-end brush may cause some damage.
Other standard grooming tips include:
- Regular ear checks and cleaning to avoid bacterial infections
- Nail trims to keep the dog comfortable and on the move
Tooth cleaning to make its mouth feel fresh and healthy
How to Train a Coton de Tulear
Methods to train a Coton all revolve around being positive. They will not respond well to negative feedback, and they also should be kept busy and interested. A bored dog will not learn anything, so make sure to have fun and lively training sessions!
Puppies need to be socialized from an early age due to their alert and territorial characteristics. A well-trained adult dog will have a wonderful temperament for agility and obedience shows. Their small size and personality also make them ideal therapy dogs.
Health
The Coton is a relatively healthy dog. A typical lifespan lasts from 14-17 years, which is quite long. Though, just as with all breeds, there are a few medical issues that may arise.
Joint problems seem to creep up from time to time. Eyes and teeth should also be observed, along with skin and ears. Plus, bacterial infections aren’t uncommon for this breed.
Feeding
How Much Should I Feed my Coton de Tulear Puppy
To reach full life expectancy, feed your Coton quality food. About 3/4 cup divided into two meals per day is ideal.
History
The origin and history of this fluffy pet are the stuff of legends. Though it is unclear about the truth of the story, many people agree that it has an ancient beginning. Some even believe that Renaissance art portrays either this breed or an early ancestor.
It’s said that there was once a shipwreck off the coast of Madagascar’s Tulear port. While no human made it out alive, a pack of white dogs swam ashore. Not only did they survive, but they mated with the local pups in the area. This resulted in the Coton we know today.
It’s unknown how true this tale is, but what happened next is certain. The elites of the region fell in love with the breed. Taking extreme measures, they wanted them all to themselves, banning ownership from anyone outside the ruling class. This continued for centuries, with breeders mating them in isolation.
Not many people knew much about these dogs. Then, in the 1960s, things changed. French tourists discovered them, introducing the Coton de Tulear to the world for the first time. In no time, they ended up in Europe and America. Soon, these puppies were bred for their sweet looks and great behavior.