Buying or Adopting a Coton de Tulear
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Don't set your sights on the Coton de Tulear until you read my advice in these posts.
Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]
The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)
The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)
The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)
Is a Coton de Tulear the right breed for you?
Coton de Tulear Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find
Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family. |
Are YOU the right owner for a Coton de Tulear?
Can you provide what this breed needs?
- Someone home most of the day
- Fenced yard (not an electronic/underground fence)
- No young children in the household
- No large dogs in the household (safety issue)
- Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Coton de Tulear stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
- "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
- Brushing – a lot (unless you keep the coat clipped short)
- Trimming/clipping – every few months
- An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
- A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
- An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Cotons are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
- An owner who is okay with housebreaking taking a long time
- Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Coton to lots of people and other animals
- Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Coton de Tulear, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say
Which sex? What age?
Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?
Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?
Where can you buy or adopt a Coton de Tulear?
Cotons are middle-of-the-road in popularity in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, the Coton de Tulear ranks 80th. He's not terribly hard to find, but three of his cousins, the Bichon Frise, Havanese, and Maltese are more common than the Coton.
Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
You might find a Coton de Tulear available from a Dog Rescue group. But fewer Cotons are turned over to Rescue groups than, say, Bichons or Maltese. The breed isn't that difficult to live with, so fewer owners tend to give up on them.
Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
It would be uncommon to find a Coton de Tulear in an animal shelter. Small fluffy white dogs might be mislabeled as Cotons, but unless the dog came in with registration papers, the chances are high that it's not really a Coton.
Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Coton de Tulear from a show breeder, who breeds their dogs to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. You can also buy a Coton de Tulear from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.
Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Coton de Tulear puppy should have:
- a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
- a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
- a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have normal knees
If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Coton de Tulear ends up with cataracts and bad joints.
Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
Cotons are sometimes found in pet shops. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!
Which puppy?
Choosing the Right Coton de Tulear Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Coton de Tulear puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.
AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Coton de Tulear puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?
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