Coton de Tulear

also known as Cotie, Coton

Pros History


The Coton de Tulear, also known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar, is a small and charming breed that has a rich history and a unique set of characteristics. They are a loyal and loving companion that is known for their fluffy cotton-like coat, which gives them their name.

The Coton de Tulear is thought to have originated in the city of Tulear, located on the island of Madagascar. The breed's origins can be traced back to the 17th century, when it is believed that the breed was brought to the island by traders and sailors. The Coton de Tulear was a favorite of the local royalty, who prized the breed for its intelligence, loyalty and affectionate nature.

The breed's name, Coton de Tulear, is a reference to its fluffy cotton-like coat and its origin in the city of Tulear. The "Coton" part of the name means "cotton" in French and the "de Tulear" part of the name refers to the city of Tulear where the breed is thought to have originated.

The Coton de Tulear is known for its gentle and affectionate nature, making them great companions for families with children. They are also known for their intelligence and trainability, making them easy to train and a joy to own. They are also known for their adaptability, making them suitable for both city and country living.

The breed's development was due to the desire to have a small, fluffy and affectionate dog that can be a companion and suitable for different living environments. The breed was created by crossing small breeds like the Bichon and Maltese, to create a small and fluffy dog that could adapt to different living environments.

Historically, the Coton de Tulear was a very popular breed among the Malagasy royalty and aristocracy, who used them as companion dogs. However, the breed's popularity began to decline in the early 20th century, as other breeds became more popular. Despite this decline, the Coton de Tulear remained a beloved companion for many dedicated owners and breeders.

The Coton de Tulear was officially recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2014, and the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2021. The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) has not recognized it yet.

Breed Information


Type

Is Coton de Tulear a purebred?

Purebred

Pronunciation

How do you pronounce the Coton de Tulear name? How do you say Coton de Tulears?

Cah-ton de Tu-lay-ahr

Purpose

What were Coton de Tulears originally used for?

companion

Lifespan

How Long Do Coton de Tulears Live? What is average life expectancy for a Coton de Tulear? How long can Coton de Tulears live?

14-16 years

The average Coton de Tulear lifespan is somewhere between 14-16 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Coton de Tulear Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Coton de Tulear?

What is the average height of a Coton de Tulear? How big is a Purebred Coton de Tulear height? Coton de Tulear dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 10-12 inches (25.4 - 30.5 cm) 5.5 inches (14 cm) 11.0 inches (27.9 cm) 11.0 inches (27.9 cm)
Female 8-11 inches (20.3 - 27.9 cm) 5.0 inches (12.7 cm) 9.5 inches (24.1 cm) 9.5 inches (24.1 cm)
What is the average weight of a Coton de Tulear? How much should Coton de Tulears weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 9-13 pounds (4 - 6 kg) 6.0 pounds (3 kg) 11.0 pounds (5 kg) 11.0 pounds (5 kg)
Female 8-11 pounds (4 - 5 kg) 5.5 pounds (2 kg) 9.5 pounds (4 kg) 9.5 pounds (4 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Coton de Tulears get fat easily?

The Coton de Tulear is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Coton de Tulears Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Coton de Tulears are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is a Coton de Tulear personality? What are Coton de Tulear dogs best known for?

Affectionate
Lively
Trainable
Intelligent
Playful
Vocal

Shedding Level

Are Coton de Tulears heavy shedders? How Much Does a Coton de Tulear Shed?

Coton de Tulear dogs are low shedders. The coat sheds an average amount and doesn't require much care.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Coton de Tulear dog?

The Coton de Tulear dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Coton de Tulears come from?

Madagascar

Ancestry

What are Coton de Tulears descended from?

Bichon Frise, Maltese, Havanese

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Coton de Tulear breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Continental Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
National Kennel Club
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.

Date of Birth

When were Coton de Tulears first bred? How old is the Coton de Tulear breed?

1600s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Coton de Tulear?

Non Sporting (AKC:2014)
Companion (UKC)

Coton de Tulear Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Coton de Tulear eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Coton de Tulear nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Coton de Tulear coat be naturally?

White
Gray
Red

Coat Length

How long is a Coton de Tulears coat?

The coat of a Coton de Tulear is longer than that of the typical dog.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Coton de Tulear Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Coton de Tulear?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Coton de Tulear have in a litter? How many puppies can a Coton de Tulear have in her first litter?

14-16 puppies per pregnancy

A Coton de Tulear can have a litter of 14-16 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Coton de Tulears are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Coton de Tulear Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Coton de Tulears have a lot of health problems?

The Coton de Tulear is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Coton de Tulear?

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hip Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Coton de Tulears?

Patellar Luxation
Allergies

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Coton de Tulear breed?

X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination
Allergy Tests

Coton de Tulear Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Coton de Tulears have a lot of energy?

For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Coton de Tulears may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.

Social Needs

Do Coton de Tulears need socialization? How social are Coton de Tulears?

Coton de Tulear have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Coton de Tulears get?

The Coton de Tulear dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Coton de Tulear have? Do Coton de Tulears sleep a lot?

The Coton de Tulear breed is known for its moderate energy levels and normal sleep patterns, typically sleeping around 12-14 hours per day.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Coton de Tulear drool a lot?

The Coton de Tulear is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Coton de Tulears tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Coton de Tulears exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Coton de Tulear dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Mouthiness

Are Coton de Tulears mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Coton de Tulear running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Coton de Tulear dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Coton de Tulears enjoy doing? How do I keep my Coton de Tulear busy?

Snuggling, Sniffing, Marking, Exploring, Fetch, Running, Walk, Catch treats, Play, Watching tv, Sleeping

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Coton de Tulear? How much energy does a Coton de Tulear have?

Medium

Coton de Tulears are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Coton de Tulear walk each week? How many miles should a Coton de Tulear walk every week?

6 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Coton de Tulear, it's at least 6 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Coton de Tulear should exercise a day? How much activity does a Coton de Tulear need?

30 minutes

In general most Coton de Tulears usually need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Coton de Tulear?

This breed is known for having high grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Coton de Tulear?

Weekly

Coton de Tulear should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Coton de Tulears?

Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Coton de Tulear eat?

0.7 cups

For an average 9-13 pound (4 - 6 kg) Coton de Tulear feed 0.7 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Coton de Tulear Cost Daily?

$1.10 - $1.40 / day

The average cost of a Coton de Tulear is somewhere $1.10 - $1.40 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Coton de Tulear Cost Per Month?

$35 - $42 / month

The average per month expenses of a Coton de Tulear is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Coton de Tulear Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Coton de Tulear?

The Coton de Tulear have below the average degree of obedience intelligence among other breeds. However, calling them “dumb dogs” is unfair. Where Coton de Tulears lack in obedience & working intelligence, they make up for it with their keen ability to understand human emotions.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Coton de Tulear dog?

This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Coton de Tulear dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Coton de Tulear do well in apartments? Are Coton de Tulears good indoor dogs?

Coton de Tulears are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Child Friendly

Are Coton de Tulears good with kids? Are Coton de Tulears good around children?

Coton de Tulears are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Coton de Tulears good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Coton de Tulears good with cats? How friendly Coton de Tulears are toward cats?

Coton de Tulears are very cat friendly dogs. They generally make good companions for cats.

Dog Friendly

Do Coton de Tulear dogs get along with other dogs? Are Coton de Tulears OK with other dogs?

Coton de Tulears are friendly, active and loyal companions. They generally love to be around other dogs, making them a good family pet for some,

Pet friendly

How do Coton de Tulear dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Coton de Tulears friendly with strangers?

Coton de Tulears are friendly dogs and won't commonly bark at strangers. However, if you wish to change this, training them is easy. With their intelligence, teaching this breed to do anything is pretty simple.

Playfulness

Do Coton de Tulears like to play? Are Coton de Tulears playful?

The Coton de Tulear is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Coton de Tulear is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Trainability

Are Coton de Tulear easily trained?

Coton de Tulear dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
    Coton de Tulears are a good breed for those prone to allergies as they are less likely to cause allergic reactions.
  • Low Shedding
    The Coton de Tulear breed is known for having minimal shedding of hair.
  • Cat Friendly
    Coton de Tulear dogs are recommended for households with cats.
  • Affectionate
    Coton de Tulear are affectionate dogs that bond well with their owners.
  • Apartment Friendly
    Coton de Tulear are perfect pets for apartment living.
  • Good with children
    Coton de Tulear are good with children and make great family pets.

Cons

  • Not suitable for office environment
    Coton de Tulears are not suited to the office environment
  • Prone to certain health issues
    Coton de Tulear are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and bloat.