Coton de Tulear

Origin

Coton de Tulear (cotton Bichon) is the Madagascar city dog. It dates back about 500 years. It is named after the port city of Tulear in Madagascar. It was a dog appreciated by the tallest people in Madagascar and was the Royal breed of Madagascar.
Even if today it is not so popular in the country of origin, it is widespread in many other countries of the world, including Romania. From our sources in 2010-2011 there were 6-7 purebred Coton de Tulear dog in Romania.
It is part of the Bichon family and of the ninth FCI group and represents with flying colors the small pet and leisure dogs.
How they got on in Madagascar is not known for sure. As with other traditional dogs, their exact origin is not known. Many more, some more credible, some less credible, still circulate today.
It is rumored that they were brought by pirates or that they were brought by French nobles and made as a gift to the Royal House of Madagascar. The second variant is supposed because of the popularity that the little quadruped had in France.
A more popular version is that the Coton de Tulear dog breed arrived in Tulear after a shipwreck of a ship with these dogs. After the shipwreck, the dogs reached the shore. The last and most logical variant is that the Bichon dog breeds that came from the brake were mated with small and Maltese terriers to result in this unique breed.
The breed endured for many years, after the change of form of government in Madagascar the breed continued to have popularity. A number of stamps with the image of Coton de Tulear were issued. Since the beginning of the century Europeans began to deal with the selection and standardization of the breed.
In 1970 Louis Petit (President of the Madagascar Kennel Association) and Raymond Triquet (president of the FCI Commission) proposed the breed for Standardization. Soon after the breed was officially recognized by the FCI (international canine Federation) in 1971. It had a big impact in Europe becoming popular.
How not to love in the puppy that radiates energy and cheerfulness ?

Coton de Tulear food

Cotton bichon can be fed with food bought from specialty stores, as well as cooked food. If you choose cooked food do not forget about the protein-vitamin-fat proportions. Many prefer boiled rice with carrot and meat.
Pay attention to the type of food and the effects on the dog. Dogs are especially sensitive when they are small. When changing the type of food it is good to do it gradually and watch the dog's reaction. You may be allergic to some foods or foods. Fortunately it is not a dog prone to obesity because it has an energy that it consumes daily.
Fresh water must be provided daily and at his discretion to quench his thirst when he needs it.
A quality food is seen in your daily activity level, mood and coat color.
Read more about ... dog food

Appearance Coton de Tulear

The Tulear Coton has a height of 20-30cm and a weight of 4-7kg. It's a small dog. It has a slightly broad head, a large black nose and dark eyes that are round and medium in size. The triangular-shaped ears are hardly visible because they are covered in long hair.
The coat is of medium length, it is slightly wavy and soft. The name Coton de Tulear (coton comes from French and Means Cotton) says everything about soft and fluffy fur. The body ends with a tail that it carries up or left.
The Coton de Tulear has a beard. Her hair grows so large and often that, if not trimmed, it can cover her eyes entirely.
The cotton bichon comes in three colors: white, black and white, or white-brown-black (tricolor).

Behavior Coton de Tulear

Cotonul de Tulear is an active and smart dog, with a playful and friendly mood. It is characterized by affectivity. He tries to please his master and is loving and patient with children.
He does not like loneliness and loves the company of other dogs or other animals.
He likes to jump and do various tricks, which is why we meet them at the circus. Does not tolerate low temperatures. His favorite activity is to expend his energy hovering in the field as much as possible.
If it is the only dog it also adapts to the most sedentary man. If he's with other dogs, he's easy to socialize and he'll jump again ..

Dressage Coton de Tulear

Being an intelligent breed of dog accepts and learns commands easily. He tries to please his master as well and quickly as he can.
As with any breed, even if it is sociable, it must be taught at least the basic commands (sit, sit, wait, etc.) in order not to do nonsense later. He is easily stubborn so you have to be patient with him. The training sessions are short and to the point.
It is recommended to do it in a place where the dog can not be distracted by other animals or activities. Do not forget about rewards and praise when making progress.
Read more about ... Pet Dog Training

Features Coton de Tulear

Cotonul de Tulear has a pretentious coat that requires brushing quite often, almost every day, because its soft and long fur tends to get tangled. Dead hairs also need to be removed. Periodically should be taken to the vet to remove hair from the ears and between the pads of the feet.
It is a dog that easily adapts to living in the apartment and the one in the yard. If he is kept in the apartment and regularly taken outside, his body will easily get used to the master's schedule.
He likes water, likes to swim, play ball, play with children or other dogs. He has other skills, such as agility, that can be developed with training and exercise.
Even if it has long hair, the Tulear Coton does not shed and does not cause allergies. If it's taken care of properly, it doesn't smell. He is used to being a clean dog, and if daily walks are observed he will not make a mess in the House. Even Coton de Tulear chickens tend to be careful with hygiene.
The FCI accepts only white specimens, while the one in America accepts bicolor and even tricolor specimens. It is not accepted the presence at exhibitions and some competitions of trimmed specimens. Brown or black spots are considered eliminatory defects.

Diseases Coton de Tulear

It's a healthy breed. The most common conditions found among these dogs are heart disease, eye disease, spinal disease or liver disease.
Coton de Tulear may suffer from small dog syndrome.
Life expectancy is higher than that of other breeds of dogs. They can live up to 14-18 years, in exceptional cases they can exceed 20 years.