The Coton de Tulear

Breed History:

The Coton de Tulear (pronounced "coe-TAWN day tool-ee-are"), which means "Cotton dog of the Malagasy Port City of Tulear," was developed on the Island of Madagascar. It traces back to the 1600s. It is one of the few purebred African dogs that has obtained popularity. The breed is descended from the now-extinct Coton de Reunion, a breed brought to Mauritius by sailors--including pirates--during the 16th Century. On Madagascar, nobles within the ruling Merina tribe took charge of the breed which became known as "The Royal Dog of Madagascar." The breed was strengthened through crossbreeding with wild hunting dogs. The Malagasy value the Coton as a companion and a symbol of wealth. Dr. Robert Jay Russell, a biologist studying lemurs on Madagascar, exported the first Cotons to North America in 1974 and Cotons were imported into Europe three years later.

Today, the Coton de Tulear is supported in North America by its original Parent Club, the CTCA, and in Europe by the national registries within the FCI registry system. There are two distinct standards: the CTCA's (written By Dr. R.J. Russell and Dr. Lee W. McGeorge-Durrell; the CTCA supports three color varieties and a range of sizes) and the FCI Standard (written by M. Petit and Lionel Coudre; the FCI calls for an all-white, Maltese-sized dog). Beginning in 1995, six new Coton clubs appeared in North America, each claiming to be the parent club for the breed. Several of these new, show-oriented clubs are currently making a bid for AKC recognition. The majority of Coton owners are against AKC registration for their breed.

Detailed Description:

• SIZE:

  Height:10 to 13-at the shoulder (withers)
  

  Weight: 8 pounds to 18 pounds.

  A taller, gazelle-like variety (up to 17-inches at the withers) is known on Madagascar and has not been formally described. The CTCA is conducting a genetic analysis of Tall Cotons, which may be produced by a simple recessive allele.

• PROPORTIONS: Cotons are not toy dogs, but rather muscular small dogs with excellent angulation (for speed, maneuverability, and endurance). Like other Bichons, this breed is "straight-hocked" and slightly longer-backed than they are tall. Very long-backed and short-legged Cotons are not uncommon, but they are not to be preferred.
• HEAD: The Coton has a powerful muzzle with strong, well-set teeth. The head shape is long and flat with a discernible "stop" (a rise from the bridge of the nose to the skull above the eyes). Eyes and lips ringed with black (but no halos as in the Bichon Frise and Bolognese); nose, black (but may be lighter in pet quality dogs).
• HAIR: three color varieties are common: White (all white with perhaps cream-biscuit/champagne patches on the ears and saddle region); Black and White (brilliant black patches which sometimes appear to gray with maturity), and Tri-color (white, tan, and black pups which generally turn off-white with a dusting of black hairs later in life). Hair length is about 4-5 inches and does not reach the ground from the belly. The long hair protects the Coton from equatorial sun in its native, semi-dessert lands surrounding Tulear, Madagascar. Show Cotons tend to be extremely over-groomed, often heavily doused with hair sprays and without sufficient undercoat removal. Some show dogs resemble a Bichon Frise whose paw was caught in a live electric light socket.
• PET (non-breedable) versus SHOW QUALITY (potentially breedable): Cotons are usually sold with either a pet-neuter contract or as potentially breedable dogs. Both types make superb pets. Pet quality dogs generally have a cosmetic defect such as an undershot jaw or incomplete pigmentation.
• WHO SHOULD OWN THIS BREED? Cotons are bred as companion dogs. They are dogs for people who want a pleasant pet and companion and have the time resources to provide the interaction that such a companion requires and deserves. Cotons tend to do very well with both children and other pets. In general, we do not recommend any dog for a family with children who are too young to realize that a pet requires understanding and a certain gentle, slow approach. All dogs require training; consider enrolling you and your puppy in a basic dog training course. Some Cotons are very quiet dogs, while others bark at the approach of strangers.
• SHOULD NOT OWN THIS BREED? Cotons requires the love and devotion of its owners. Anyone who is away from home often or who might be tempted to board their pets for long periods of time should not consider a Coton as a pet. In general, Cotons are long-lived (15.7 years average), therefore a Coton purchased for a junior high schooler will easily live long past the youngster's graduate degrees, first marriage, and early career. Make certain you are willing to commit to a Coton's care for almost as long as you'd commit to care for a child.
• DIET. On Madagascar, the Coton was fed a vegetarian and rice diet for nearly 300 years. Consequently, we recommend a vegetarian, low protein diet such as Natures' Recipe Vegetarian Diet.
• COAT CARE. A Coton's long, dry, nearly straight hair requires brushing periodically to remove an undercoat and prevent matting. Cotons remain relatively clean without a bath for a long time. Most owners prefer a monthly trip to a groomers, with casual brushing about every other day or so.
• HEALTH & BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS. Cotons have about an average number of breed health defects, but they have a much lower incidence of them. That means that overall, this is a healthy, sturdy breed. A buyer should check with a breeder to determine things to look for in his/her lineage and details about the breeder's health guarantee. The breed is known to have a low incidence of heart defects (pulmonic stenosis), orthopedic problems associated with small breeds (luxated patellae, spinal disk disease), and the like. Recently, some few Cotons have been diagnosed with aggression problems, probably genetic. Most often, Cotons are not only non-aggressive, but deeply devoted to their human companions. Therefore, separation anxiety can become a problem unless careful training is followed.
• REFERENCES: Robert Jay Russell, Ph.D. & Laurie Spalding, "The Official Coton de Tulear Book," Coton de Tulear Club of America, 1996.

Little more than two decades ago, the Coton de Tulear faced extinction in its native land. Today, overbreeding and unconscionable exploitation is becoming a serious problem for this breed as its popularity and numbers increase exponentially in the United States.