Devoted Coton de Tulear Companions Await

About Malagasy Cotons de Tulear

History of the Breed:

Known as The Royal dog of Madagascar”, the origin of the Coton De Tulear (pronounced coe-tawn day tule-e-eer) is a rare breed that originated in Madagascar more than three centuries ago . Descended from the extinct Coton de Reunion, whose long cottony coat was a result of a single mutation, it is a member of the Bichon family discovered in the port City of Tulear in the 17th century. Some believe these dogs sailed on pirate ships and found their way to Madagascar by swimming ashore after shipwrecks.

Constitution of The Malagasy Coton

The Coton is a hearty, intelligent, and easy to train little breed. A loyal and affectionate companion, the Coton is a non-shedding and hypoallergenic dog who is adaptable to a busy family life or a life of leisure. Cotons travel well, weighing between 8 and 18 pounds and measuring between 9.5 and 13.5 inches high. Cotons have three color varieties: white (often with champagne color patches), Tricolor (white, tan and black tipped ears) and black and white. The Tricolor may fade to white with age, but the black and white retains some color throughout there lives. Cotons are long-lived, with some exceeding 20-year lifespan. Due to their long cottony coats, Cotons required daily brushing with regular professional grooming to prevent matting, especially when the adult coat comes in at 10 to 15 months of age.

Considerations in Acquiring a Coton de Tulear

Currently, there are many breeders selling dogs they claim are "Coton de Tulear" in America. Due to the growing popularity of the Coton, they are now being bred in puppy mills, using inferior animals of dubious origin. Some breeders associated with the dog show fancy (and the AKC-FSS program) are also selling European dogs that are bred to the French Coton de Tulear Standard, which has been interbred with Bichon Frisee to ensure all puppies have only the white coat coloring. This is a different breed than those sold by mCTCA Breeders and registered by the mCTCA. Your only assurance of breed purity is purchasing a purebred Malagasy Coton de Tulear through an mCTCA Code of Ethics Breeder whose breeding stock was brought to the US from Madagascar in 1974 by biologist Jay Russell. Who wrote the standard for the original Malagasy Coton De Tulear.

Since the 1970s, the mCTCA has maintained a sure control and guidance of the breed's standard, registrations, and stud book. When a puppy is registered by the breeder with the mCTCA, the owner receives an official Pedigree Certificate, suitable for framing.

The Coton de Tulear is one of the world's rarest pure-breeds. Introduced into the Western Hemisphere in 1974, today there are fewer than 5,100 mCTCA registered Cotons in North America. Expect to wait some time for an mCTCA registrable puppy. Breeding quality dogs cannot be rushed.

Coton Gallery

Georgia McBean and Shadow Moon