Dog Breeders Coton De Tulear: Ultimate Breed Guide

The Coton de Tulear is a small, fluffy dog breed that originated on the island of Madagascar. They typically weigh between 8-12 pounds and stand about 10 inches tall.

Their small size requires careful consideration when it comes to exercise and living arrangements. This breed needs daily walks and playtime to stay happy and healthy.

The Coton de Tulear is known for its gentle and affectionate nature, making them a great fit for families with children. They are also relatively low-maintenance pets.

Their long, soft coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

The Coton de Tulear is a rare breed, so be prepared to pay around $2,000 to $4,000 for a puppy from a reputable breeder.

If you're on a budget, it's worth checking local animal shelters and rescue groups for a dog in need of a home.

You can find reputable breeders and organizations through the United States Coton de Tulear Club, Madagascar Coton de Tulear Club of America, or the American Coton Club.

These organizations can connect you with responsible breeders and provide valuable resources for new owners.

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The Coton de Tulear is a small, longhaired dog with a cottony-coated coat that originated in Madagascar. He's a companion dog through and through, bred to be by your side at all times.

The Coton de Tulear is known for his intelligence, sociability, and easy-care coat. He's a great traveler and adapts easily to new routines.

This breed excels in obedience and agility due to his desire to please. He's a good and flexible traveler, making him a great companion for families who enjoy exploring new places.

The Coton de Tulear is a low-shedding breed, requiring only occasional brushing and bathing to keep his coat clean. His exercise needs are moderate, but he loves to play and go on walks.

Here are some key characteristics of the Coton de Tulear breed:

The Coton de Tulear is a great breed for families, seniors, and people who want a low-maintenance pet. He's friendly, outgoing, and gentle, making him a wonderful companion for anyone.

Cotons de Tulear are known for their sweet and affectionate nature, making them loyal companions. They thrive on human interaction and love to spend time with their owners, whether it's lounging around the house or going on drives.

Their playful and lively temperament makes them a joy to be around, but they're not high-energy dogs. They require moderate exercise, which is perfect for families with smaller living spaces or for those who don't have a lot of time for intense workouts.

Here's a breakdown of their breed characteristics:

Their low-shedding coat is a bonus for those with allergies, and their hypoallergenic status makes them a great choice for families with sensitive members.

When it comes to the Coton de Tuléar's size, there's a noticeable difference between males and females. Males stand 10 to 12.5 inches at the shoulder.

Females are generally smaller, reaching 8.5 to 11 inches in height.

The weight difference between males and females is also significant, with males weighing 9 to 13 pounds and females weighing 8 to 11 pounds.

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The Cotons de Tulear's appearance is quite adorable, and their name fits perfectly - they're as fluffy as cotton! Their long, soft coat is actually considered hair, not fur, which makes them nearly hypoallergenic.

Their coat is typically low-shedding, but they may shed their puppy coat before their adult coat grows in. You can expect your coton to weigh between 8–13 pounds.

They're most often white, but puppies can be born with yellow, brown, or black spots that can disappear or fade into a lighter gray or champagne color as the dog matures. The standard coton measures about 18 inches long.

Full-grown males are 10–12 inches tall, while females are slightly shorter, measuring 9–11 inches tall.

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The Coton de Tulear is a dog breed that's known for its sweet personality. They love people and other dogs, making them loyal companions.

These dogs are social butterflies and will follow you from room to room, always eager to spend time with you. They're happy to lie at your feet while you work or go on drives together.

Their temperament is lively and playful, but they don't tend to bark much. Instead, they'll use non-barking vocalizations to get your attention or alert you to something.

One of their signature moves is the coton head tilt - when they tilt their head while listening to you speak.

Here's a summary of the Coton de Tulear's characteristics:

Overall, the Coton de Tulear is a loving and playful breed that makes a great companion for many families.

The Coton de Tulear is generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of 14-17 years. They are prone to a few minor medical conditions, including hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and luxating patella (knee issues).

Regular health check-ups with a veterinarian are essential to monitor their health and catch any potential issues early on. Reputable breeders should provide health certifications for a puppy's parents, including OFA certification for knees, hips, elbows, and hearts, as well as certification of eye health from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.

To keep your Coton de Tulear healthy, it's also crucial to maintain a consistent grooming routine, including regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and tooth brushing. They require frequent bathing and brushing to prevent matting and tangling of their delicate hair.

Here are some common health issues that can affect Cotons:

Cotons are very loyal and thrive on your attention, but they also have the ability to entertain themselves, content to simply be near you.

They're playful by nature and live a fairly active lifestyle, so they do well with a little room to run and play inside a fenced yard, even a small one.

A 30-minute walk once or twice a day is a great way to get your otherwise-lapdog a workout, especially if you live in an apartment.

Since cotons hate to be left alone for more than a few hours at a time, they make an excellent companion for stay-at-home workers, seniors, or empty nesters.

They're also happy to join their humans on vacations and adventures, making them excellent travel companions.

Cotons de Tulear are generally healthy dogs with a lifespan of 14-17 years, which is impressive for a small breed.

Luxating patella, a common problem in small breeds, can cause the knee cap to slip out of place, leading to symptoms like limping. Protecting your puppy from jumping on and off furniture while their joints develop is crucial to prevent this condition.

Hip dysplasia is a heritable condition that can cause mobility problems, and it's essential to get your dog's hips certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to identify any potential issues.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary degenerative eye disorder that can cause blindness, but dogs can still live a full and happy life with this condition.

Reputable breeders provide health certifications for a puppy's parents, including OFA certification for knees, hips, elbows, and hearts, as well as certification of eye health from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.

Some common health issues in Cotons include skin allergies, which can lead to bacterial infections, and ear problems if not cleaned properly. Regular grooming and ear cleaning can help prevent these issues.

Here are some common health issues in Cotons:

Cotons require frequent and dedicated grooming to stay healthy and happy. They need to be bathed once every one to three weeks and brushed at least three to four times a week.

Regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and tooth brushing are also essential. Brushing their coat requires getting as close to the skin as possible, especially when their adult coat begins to grow in around 1 year old.

Cotons can be prone to matting, so it's best to use a metal comb or pin brush to groom them. Traditional ball-end brushes can damage their delicate hair. You can choose to let your coton grow their signature long locks or keep them in a "puppy cut" for easier grooming.

Housebreaking can be a challenge, but with positive reinforcement and patience, your coton can learn quickly. Positive crate training may also be effective in this process.

The Coton de Tulear is a low-shedding breed, making it a great option for people with allergies. They require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

Brush your Coton's coat at least three times a week with a pin brush, paying extra attention to the areas behind the ears, legs, and elbows. This will help prevent mats and tangles from forming.

A consistent grooming routine can help your Coton get used to being brushed and handled, making it easier for both of you in the long run. Regular grooming also helps prevent ear wax buildup, so make sure to check your Coton's ears at least weekly.

To keep your Coton's coat looking its best, bathe them as needed, depending on their exposure to dirt and dust. Pat them dry instead of rubbing to prevent tangling their hair.

The Coton de Tulear's coat is one of its distinguishing features, long, soft, and thick with a fluffy, cottony texture.

It's usually four inches long by adulthood, and may have shadings of light gray or red-roan on the ears. Puppies are born all white or with yellow, brown, rust, or black spots on the head, ears, and sometimes the body.

These spots disappear as puppies mature, leaving behind areas that range in color from light to medium champagne or gray. Cotons shed little, mainly in the spring.

To prevent matted fur, brush the coat three or four times a week with a pin brush that has uncoated metal pins. Pay special attention to the areas behind the ears, legs, and elbows.

Using a spray conditioner as your brush will keep hair breakage minimal. The more you brush, the less frequently you'll have to bathe him.

A fine-toothed metal comb and a smaller comb for the face will also help keep your Coton looking sharp. If you want to see his eyes, use a coated hair elastic to create a cute topknot.

You can also keep his coat in a short puppy clip for easier care. Depending on how dirty he gets, your Coton may need to be bathed weekly, every two weeks, or monthly.

The adult coat starts coming in between seven and 15 months of age, and during this time, your Coton puppy will need additional grooming to prevent mats and tangles.

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Fresh water and high-quality food are essential for your Coton's health. Always have fresh water available for your Coton.

A high-quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet is crucial for your Coton's well-being. Feed two measured meals per day, and discuss the quantity and type of diet with your vet to ensure you're meeting your dog's individual needs.

You should feed a total of 3/4 cup daily, but this amount may vary depending on your Coton's size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.

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