Coton de Tuléar - A breed full of tenderness and love

The choice of a pet in most cases is related to the activities that are part of our daily routine. If you are looking for a companion for outdoor activities such as hunting or hiking, there are large and strong breed canines ideal for this. If, on the other hand, you prefer the calm, tender and affectionate company of a small pet, different breeds meet this profile, among them is the Coton de Tuléar .

• Small size .
• Weight : Between 4 and 6kg.
• Hair type : Fine, dense and long.
• Character : Playful, Affectionate, Intelligent, Vivacious, Vocal.
• Health : Very healthy
• Life expectancy : Between 14 and 16 years.

A small, furry and friendly dog ​​is what defines this peculiar breed, whose fur resembles a cotton ball, which fits perfectly with its name and personality. Ideal for the company of older people, a home with children or simply to fill anyone with affection, these canines exude an unparalleled tenderness that makes them the favorite of many homes. However, the care that this little one demands is numerous. Likewise, the attention it needs can take up a large part of our time. Therefore, before deciding to adopt a specimen, it is good to know all the information about this beautiful breed and thus know if we can meet expectations when it comes to providing well-being and a good quality of life. In the following article we will not only learn about the care for the breed, but also its origin, behavior and the characteristics that define it. Be sure to read it and discover if this canine can become your new best friend.

Origin of the Coton de Tuléar

Although there are no consolidated records of the origin of this small but refined dog breed, the history of the Coton de Tuléar is geographically associated with the city of Tuliar , currently known as Toliara, in Madagascar. It is presumed that the presence of these dogs in this part of the world was influenced by French troops or Portuguese sailors who transported European bichon dogs to these lands, where the creation of the Coton as it is known took place. Due to its appearance and style, this dog was easily positioned in the preferences of the upper class of Madagascar, where wealthy families most frequently acquired a specimen of this type. The popularity of the breed as seen so far has been a slow process throughout the world. Only in 1970, the International Cynological Federation made its recognition official, and in this same period, some specimens were transferred to America. However, their beautiful physical appearance and sweetness continue to gain ground in society and each time favoritism for this breed grows, as do the numbers of specimens within homes.

Physical characteristics of the Coton de Tuléar

It is a small dog and its weight is proportional to its size. According to the standard published by the International Cynological Federation, the height of the male Coton de Tuléar is between 26 and 28 centimeters, and the weight in this genus is between 4 and 6 kilos. For females, on the other hand, this index varies minimally, with 23 to 25 centimeters at the withers being the accepted size and a weight of 3.5 to 5 kilos. We are talking about a breed of short stature but a well-formed and muscular body . Its chest and back are well defined and slightly robust. Meanwhile, his belly, although delicately contracted, does not look thin. It is longer than it is wide. As for the head, it is characterized by having wide, short and triangular dimensions on its face. Its nose, commonly black in color like its eyes, is round in shape and large, giving the appearance of being in a permanent state of alert. The ears of these canines are set high, in the shape of a triangle, and fall subtly on their skull. As for its tail, it is slightly thin, covered by its fur. Depending on the mood and movements of the canine, it remains downwards if it is at rest, and raised to the back when in action. This will also allow you to determine if you are sad or happy. One aspect that stands out among the physical characteristics of the Coton de Tuléar is its fur. And its name is closely related to the fine, dense and long hair that covers the body of this animal: it resembles cotton, which, translated into French, is "cotton." Regarding color, according to the International Cynological Federation, this breed comes in white, with some traces of gray or slightly pronounced red on the ears. However, other organizations accept other colors.

Character of this little one

If what you are looking for is a tender, friendly, loving, happy and fun breed, the character of the Coton de Tuléar has all these attributes for its owners. It is a very easy pet to keep, because you only need to give it love and company to make it happy. This breed adapts very easily to different situations without problems. In relation to coexistence, this is not a problem either, since it gets along well with both other animals and other people almost as soon as it meets them. However, early socialization is an issue that plays an indispensable role in the lives of these pets. Although by nature they have an extroverted behavior, if it is not developed in depth with training, it can become a shy and unexpressive dog. In addition, we are talking about an intelligent and obedient dog , so training will be easy and even fun. Carrying out adequate training will allow us to enjoy a completely energetic and balanced pet. In general, the Coton de Tuléar does not present behavioral problems. If training and education are applied appropriately, this dog will not cause problems. It must be remembered that this is a very loving breed, so dedication of time on the part of its owners is essential. They require frequent displays of affection and companionship most of the day, otherwise they may experience separation anxiety and even depression. Before adopting a Coton de Tuléar, consider whether you have enough time that this pet needs to feel good at home. They adapt very well to outdoor places or small spaces, so their life in apartments or in the countryside is equally beneficial. They are ideal for walks, although due to their small size they are more prone to getting hurt, therefore you have to be careful.

Training the Coton de Tuléar

Educating the Coton de Tuléar is not a complicated job . As we have already mentioned, it is a fairly intelligent and obedient breed, so carrying out its training will be part of the fun with this pet. However, some important aspects must be considered for the training to be successful and to have an educated dog. One of them is socialization. Beginning socialization at an early age in this breed will allow the dog to lay the foundations of its consciousness with other animals and with people outside its direct environment. He will show education, but also affection and fun with the people he lives with. On the contrary, if this aspect is not trained properly, it could become an annoying and unsociable dog. Remembering positive reinforcement at all times will benefit the training process and provide a closer connection between the dog and its owner. If the training is carried out continuously, without shouting and rewarding the canine's good behavior, beneficial results will be achieved in a very short time. After socialization, other aspects such as simple commands, sit, walk, stop, are also important for the dog to learn.

Health

Life expectancy ranges from 12 to 14 years. In terms of health, it is a very healthy breed. Specifically, there are no known diseases specific to the breed. But that does not mean that the issue of health is unimportant. On the contrary, maintaining a good state of health in your canine will lengthen its life expectancy and, therefore, its companionship. So, it is necessary to ensure that this little friend maintains his well-being and an adequate quality of life. Providing him with proper care, attention and lots of love, and establishing a close relationship with him will make him a healthy, loved and friendly pet. Beyond specifying a disease, emphasizing the prevention of common pathologies such as food allergies, depression due to loneliness, rabies, parvovirus, among others that can be avoided with adequate care, is what we are interested in highlighting.

Coton de Tuléar Care

Although it is a small breed, the care it requires is even greater. Although, as we mentioned, they do not usually get sick frequently, we are talking about care for both appearance and attention. Let's see them below:

Hygiene

The hygiene of the Coton de Tuléar is very important . Especially brushing your hair, which should be done daily to avoid the formation of knots. It is recommended that the coat be cut by a professional, and if you do not know how to detangle the Coton's hair, assistance from a hairdresser is equally important. Bathing is less demanding, it should only be done when it is really dirty. According to specialists, three baths throughout the year will be enough.

Exercises

Unlike other small breeds, the Coton de Tuléar requires a greater amount of exercise to release its energy. Therefore, it is advisable to take at least two walks a day in which he can interact with his environment. However, as said before, it is a breed that adapts easily to any environment . Due to his height, it will be easier for him to do exercises at home as a complement to walks.

Affection and company

This is the most important aspect in the care of this breed. The Cotón de Tuléar demands a large amount of time from its owners. Shows of affection, company, games... all of this the small canine requires to stay physically and mentally healthy. That is why it is recommended to evaluate whether this requirement can be met before adopting a puppy of this breed.

Veterinary schedule

Visits to the veterinarian, vaccination and deworming on the corresponding dates are essential to keep these animals in good health. Complying with these aspects will help the canine stay strong and free of common diseases in any breed.

To sum up

The Coton de Tuléar is a friendly, sweet and loving breed. Ideal for anyone, alone or with a whole family, there will be no shortage of fun and tenderness if there is the presence of this little friend. However, the care it demands requires evaluating the possibilities of having this breed as a pet, because if we want to provide it with an adequate quality of life, we must have the necessary time for it. The adoption of this, and any pet, entails a responsibility and commitment that we must fulfill to ensure we enjoy the company of our friends for a long time. Discover more breeds: