| Coton de Tulear: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Coton de Tulear personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Coton de Tulear, including these excerpts:
"Happy, clownish, and inquisitive, the Coton de Tulear enjoys clever games of dexterity such as "pull the stale bit of fallen cheese from under the refrigerator with your paw."
He is both boisterous and calm, dashing around the yard to play, then snuggling in your lap to snooze.
Cotons are very people-oriented and will push for as much attention as they can get. They are so sociable that they don't do well when left for long periods without companionship.
Though peaceful and gentle with everyone (humans and other pets), this breed forms a strong bond with his family and can be conservative with strangers.
Socialization is important to build a confident, outgoing temperament, as there is a potential for excessive caution.
Though he does have a mild stubborn streak, the Coton de Tulear is normally a "soft" dog and responds well to non-forceful training.
He prefers learning tricks to formal obedience and is especially bright-eyed when food treats are offered as rewards. Harshness only makes him wilt."
History
Developed in Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa, he was favored by royal families. Coton is French for "cotton," referring to the texture of his coat, while Tulear is the trading port where his ancestors were first introduced.
Size
10-13 inches and 10-15 lbs |
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Coton de Tulear
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is small but sturdy
- Has a long, soft cottony coat that doesn't shed (one of the best breeds for allergy sufferers)
- Doesn't need a lot of exercise
- Is polite with people and other animals
- Is healthy and long-lived
A Coton de Tulear may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) if left alone too much
- Shyness or suspiciousness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Frequent brushing and combing
- Housebreaking difficulties
- Barking
- A high price tag
A Coton de Tulear may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Coton de Tulear... |
My major concerns would be:
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, the Coton de Tulear needs a great deal of companionship and does not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express by chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Providing enough socialization. Recently breeders have been reporting uncharacteristic aggression and/or fearfulness in some Cotons. Standoffish by nature, the Coton de Tulear needs extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with and could even lead to defensive biting.
| Coton de Tulear puppies are NOT suited to small children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Coton de Tulear puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Coton de Tulear adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness may be the result. |
- Grooming. Without frequent brushing and combing, the Coton de Tulear becomes a matted mess. If you can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming to keep the coat short, neat, and healthy.
- Housebreaking problems. The Coton de Tulear belongs to the same "family" of dogs as the Bichon Frise, Maltese, Havanese, and Bolognese -- all of which are difficult to housebreak. Consistent crate training is mandatory. Sometimes a doggy door is necessary.
- Barking. The Coton de Tulear is often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them.
- Sorting through multiple clubs. There are several Coton de Tulear clubs, each claiming to be "the only true organization" for the Coton de Tulear in the United States. Each group supports its own standard for appearance, size, and temperament. Unfortunately, political backbiting abounds and you'll have to do a lot of research to pick your way through a minefield of claims, counterclaims, and accusations, some valid, some petty.
- High price. The Coton de Tulear is readily available in the United States, but breeders are still charging extremely high prices of $1500 or more.
| Not all Cotons de Tulear are alike! |
- There are energetic Cotons, and placid Cotons.
- Hard-headed Cotons, and sweet-natured Cotons.
- Serious Cotons, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Cotons, and Cotons who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Coton de Tulear puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
| If you're considering an adult Coton de Tulear... |
There are plenty of adult Cotons who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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