| Cattail Cotons |
| About the breed |
The Coton is a small, sweet, “cottony” longhaired dog with a big dog’s heart.
***The Coton can be obtained in a variety of colors: white, white and
champagne, black and white, and tri-color. The coloring is important, if you
plan to show or breed. You must acquire a puppy that will reflect and
reproduce the qualities and characteristics standard for the breed. Code of
Ethics breeders, national registries, and the Coton specialty clubs know these
standards.
***The bone structure is sturdy, solid, dense and compact with the back
slightly longer than the height. The tail is curled over the back at play, and
curved at the end when dropped and relaxed. Weights will range from under
10 pounds to around 15 pounds. As a “pet quality” purchaser, your life style
should dictate your selection of a puppy that will meet your needs, when it is
an adult.
***Eyes are dark brown or black, well spaced, rimmed with black, showing a
lively, intelligent expression. The nose is black, and the lips are thin and
rimmed with black. Strength of pigmentation will also be reflected in the
blackness of the footpads. Generations of white-on-white breedings of white
parents may create pink breaks in these normally black areas. Although this
may be a fault by show standards, the Coton is the perfect pet in any color
combination.
***The ears are dropped, thin, triangular, and covered with hair.
The Coton is a happy, somewhat boisterous little companion, often acting like
a clown, very eager and intelligent, and forms strong bonds with its masters.
He thrives on love, food, human companionship and protection from his
family. He will never tire of too much TLC. Pet him, carry him, take him
everywhere, talk to him and you will see great results.
The Coton should not be shy or bashful. He will demand eye contact, unlike
other breeds that will look away during a “stare down.” He will search your
face to “read” your eyes and expressions in an attempt to make you happy
and execute your desires. His purpose in life is a heart desire to make his
owner happy. Affectionate, he will shower you with kisses. He is a good
listener and will cock his head to the side, while you talk to him. He is always
ready to play, seldom tires, and will clown around and jump to attract your
attention.
The Coton gets along well with other dogs, cats, and children. He is a good
traveler and easily housebroken. He loves to swim and run, racing over the
ground at high speeds. His rewards are your hugs.
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Where does the Coton Originate???
The Coton de Tulear (“Cotton of Tulear” in French) originates from Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest
island off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo.
Tulear is a small seaport city at the southern tip of the island. The city has been renamed “Toliara” after
the formation of the new independent government, The Republic of Madagascar (Repoblikani
Madagasiraka.) Although French is still spoken widely on Madagascar, Malagasy is spoken by most of
the 18 million people who inhabit the island.
It is believed the Coton’s arrival to Madagascar dates approximately to the 15th century. Ships frequently
sailed to the West Indies and around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope through the Mozambique Channel to
the Indian Ocean.
There is a common story that during a violent storm, a shipwreck occurred in the proximity of Tulear,
Madagascar. No one knows the name of the ship, country of origin, or its flag, but all versions of the story
tell that all of the sailors perished. Some of the little white dogs that were passengers on the ship
survived, swimming ashore near Tulear. The breed name of this little white dog is not known. The dogs
settled on the island, becoming wild, and eventual mixing with the local dogs of many colors.
Around the beginning of the 1900’s, French colonial residents took a fancy to the product of this
relationship calling the dog, “Coton de Tulear.” This dog’s color beginning was primarily black and white.
The breed has only been recognized since 1971, when a Frenchman took some dogs from Madagascar
with him back to France and established it as a breed. At the same time, the first dogs entered the USA
directly from the island of Madagascar, calling this line of dogs the Malagasy Coton variety.
Because of this mixed breeding over the years, loyal French Coton founders have attempted to breed
this dog to a true standard. To this day France is the country establishing the show standards for this
breed. Other breeds that are assumed to be in this lineage of establishing the current breed are the
Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Maltese, and Havanese. The genetics produce the dark pigmentation. The
deep coloration of the coat on puppies uniquely fades to white and white with markings or champagne as
a byproduct of this cross breeding.
You can see these small dogs in Renaissance paintings, sitting with royal ladies and notable figures.
Hence the name “Royal dog of Madagascar” has been attached to this breed.
The Coton de Tulear (“Cotton of Tulear” in French) originates from Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest
island off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo.
Tulear is a small seaport city at the southern tip of the island. The city has been renamed “Toliara” after
the formation of the new independent government, The Republic of Madagascar (Repoblikani
Madagasiraka.) Although French is still spoken widely on Madagascar, Malagasy is spoken by most of
the 18 million people who inhabit the island.
It is believed the Coton’s arrival to Madagascar dates approximately to the 15th century. Ships frequently
sailed to the West Indies and around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope through the Mozambique Channel to
the Indian Ocean.
There is a common story that during a violent storm, a shipwreck occurred in the proximity of Tulear,
Madagascar. No one knows the name of the ship, country of origin, or its flag, but all versions of the story
tell that all of the sailors perished. Some of the little white dogs that were passengers on the ship
survived, swimming ashore near Tulear. The breed name of this little white dog is not known. The dogs
settled on the island, becoming wild, and eventual mixing with the local dogs of many colors.
Around the beginning of the 1900’s, French colonial residents took a fancy to the product of this
relationship calling the dog, “Coton de Tulear.” This dog’s color beginning was primarily black and white.
The breed has only been recognized since 1971, when a Frenchman took some dogs from Madagascar
with him back to France and established it as a breed. At the same time, the first dogs entered the USA
directly from the island of Madagascar, calling this line of dogs the Malagasy Coton variety.
Because of this mixed breeding over the years, loyal French Coton founders have attempted to breed
this dog to a true standard. To this day France is the country establishing the show standards for this
breed. Other breeds that are assumed to be in this lineage of establishing the current breed are the
Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Maltese, and Havanese. The genetics produce the dark pigmentation. The
deep coloration of the coat on puppies uniquely fades to white and white with markings or champagne as
a byproduct of this cross breeding.
You can see these small dogs in Renaissance paintings, sitting with royal ladies and notable figures.
Hence the name “Royal dog of Madagascar” has been attached to this breed.
What kind of Dog is a
Coton de Tulear ???
Coton de Tulear ???
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