Coton De Tulear Dog Breed

Coton De Tulear Dog Breed

Appearance
There are currently three breed standards for the Coton de Tulear. The FCI, UKC, and the Coton de Tulear Club of America each maintain their own standard.

The Coton de Tuléar has a medium-length, fluffy, cotton-like coat that is hair rather than fur. The FCI standard specifies that the Coton's coat should be white but may also have lemon coloured, light brown, or grey markings on their ears. The CTCA allows for three different but equally favorable colorings: white, black-and-white, and tri-color. White is described as nearly all white, sometimes with Champagne coloring on the ears. Black-and-white is defined as pure white with prominent black patches on the head and body (no ratio of white-to-black is specified or favored). Tri-color is described as mostly white and cream colored with some markings and dustings of black on the body and head. It weighs about 10 to 15lbs in the FCI standard and no more than 18lbs in the CTCA standard. The Coton's height is between 8.5 to 12" tall by FCI standard and no more than 13" tall by CTCA standard.

The skull is slightly rounded and wider than it is long. The muzzle is straight and shorter than the skull. The nose is black in colour in the CTCA standard. However, the FCI standard, which does favor a black nose, states that brown is tolorable as well. A pink or partly pink nose is not accepted in either standard. The lips are tight and of the same colour as the nose, specifically black in the CTCA standard. The teeth are in a scissor bite or pincer bite. The eyes are round, dark in colour and wide set. The expression should be lively, intelligent, bright, and merry. The ears are triangular and set high. The leather of the ear should be thin. The neck is strong, without a dewlap and slightly arched. The chest is well developed and reaches below the elbows. The feet are small and arched. The back should be strong and slightly arched. The pads of the feet are usually black. The body is of moderate lengh and should have a moderate tuck up. The loin is muscular and not too long. The hind legs are strong and straight. The hind feet similar to the front feet. the Dewclaws may be removed. The tail is low set and tapering, carried over the back when in motion or excited, relaxed otherwise.

History
The Coton de Tuléar is the official dog of Madagascar where, in the past, only royalty and the upper-class could own one. The Coton's ancestors were thought to have been brought to Madagascar in the 16th century by sailors from Spain and Portugal and is named after the port city of Tuléar which is currently known as Toliara. The Coton is believed to be related to the Bichon family of dogs, perhaps linked most closely to the Bichon Tenerife. The now-extinct Tenerife was introduced to the Islands of Mauritius and Reunion by sailors in the 16th and 17th centuries. The breed then acquired its cottony coat which is thought to be the result of a single gene mutation. Known then as the Coton de Reunion, they became the companions of pirates, merchants, and noblemen in travel. This small, friendly dog caught the fancy of the Merina royalty, and was bred into what is known today as the Coton de Tuléar.

Today, the breed is increasing in popularity, but the dog is still largely unknown among the general population. Cotons are fancied in both Europe and America. The all-white, FCI-standard Cotons have their strongest presence in Europe. However, CTCA-standard Cotons, which most closely resemble the original Coton in its native Madagascar, are the most commonly seen in North America. The breed is supported by several organizations in North America, the oldest and most prominent of which is the Coton de Tuléar club of America. Though Coton de Tuléar has been included in the AKC-FSS, a majority of the breed's supporters in the United States are against an AKC takeover of this rare breed.[citation needed]

The Coton de Tuléar was first brought to America by Dr. Robert J. Russell in 1974 (three years before it was originally brought to Europe). He modeled the CTCA standard after the characteristics of the Coton in its native Madagascar. The French brought the Coton de Tuléar to Europe in 1977. They developed the FCI standard, which has a narrower description than the CTCA. In most cases, a Coton that fits the FCI standard will fit the CTCA standard as well.

Temperament
The Coton is a playful, affectionate, intelligent breed. It loves people and as a result can have separation anxiety. It loves life and is enthusiastic and lively. It is a very vocal breed, grunting and making other noises when having fun. It has a habit of walking on its hind legs to please people. Some Coton may exhibits shyness or cautiousness in new situations, especially around strangers, but this can be overcome with training. Most Coton love meeting new people and are very curious in new situations. It is very trainable as long as it is trained with praise rather than punishment as it lives to please its people.

Care
The Coton has a long coat which needs a thorough grooming once or twice a week. All dog breeds shed, but breeds such as the Coton de Tulear and the Poodle shed minimally. Relative to other breeds, the Coton's coat is considered hypoallergenic. It needs a short walk every day for exercise, but will appreciate a play session as often as possible and has the endurance to go on a long hike.

Health
The Coton is in general a healthy breed. Being fairly rare it has not been overbred or bred in puppy mills (pet store puppies)and as a result there are no genetic diseases that are prevalent in the breed. Some Coton fanciers are worried that, due to inbreeding practices common in other breeds that have become popular in the US, this may change. However, they are currently known to be long-lived and healthy, normally living between 14 and 18 years.

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Coton De Tulear Dog Breed