Coton de Tulear: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The coton de Tulear is a small, fluffy dog from Madagascar known for their affectionate, clownish personality. Related to the bichon frise and Maltese, cotons were bred to be friendly companion dogs. They generally form incredibly close bonds with their family and are good with kids, strangers, and other pets. They’re low-maintenance and can easily adapt to apartment living or larger homes, though they don’t like being left alone and can develop separation anxiety.

Learn more about the history, characteristics, and care needs of the coton de Tulear.

Characteristics of the Coton de Tulear

The coton de Tulear generally has a very sweet personality. These dogs love people and even other dogs. They make loyal companions and will prefer spending as much time with you as possible, whether lying at your feet while you work, going on drives with you, or following you from room to room. And when you’re busy, they’ll take a nap and wait for you to have the time to dedicate to them.

These dogs also can have quite a lively and playful temperament but don’t tend to bark much, though they will bark to alert you to sounds, intruders, the doorbell, or anything else that they think you should know about. Your coton might even learn the non-barking vocalizations that are best for getting your attention and letting you know what they want. They’re also known for tilting their head when you speak to them—this is known as the coton head tilt.    

History of the Coton de Tulear 

The coton de Tulear breed gets its name from the dog's cotton-like coat and the seaport town of Tulear in Madagascar. The breed’s history is unclear, but its ancestors likely arrived in Madagascar in the 16th and 17th centuries. During that time, sailors kept little canine companions, such as the Maltese, and even used them as barter. The small dogs that arrived in Madagascar bred with the native dogs, ultimately creating the coton de Tulear. 

The people of Madagascar doted on these little white dogs and largely kept the breed isolated to the island. Through selective breeding, they fine-tuned the dogs’ health, temperament, and appearance. Today’s cotons rarely have genetic health issues as long as they come from reputable breeders. 

French tourists stumbled upon the breed in the 1960s, and after that, it began to spread around Europe then North America. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2014.

Coton de Tulear Care

The coton de Tulear has moderate exercise needs and usually responds well to training, but they do require a consistent grooming routine.

Exercise

Cotons are medium-energy dogs, but thanks to their small size, roughly an hour of exercise per day should suffice. Morning and evening strolls are ideal, along with games of fetch and other playtime. Plus, this breed tends to enjoy dog sports, including obedience, rally, and agility.

Puzzle toys are also a great way to exercise a coton’s body and mind. These dogs can get bored easily without enough activity, and they might find destructive ways to entertain themselves. So make sure you can dedicate enough time to exercising your dog.

Grooming

The coton de Tulear is considered a hypoallergenic breed, so they could be a good option for those with allergies—but there is no such thing as a completely allergen-free dog. While they are a lower-allergen breed, they do require a consistent grooming routine. Start grooming them regularly at a young age to get them used to being brushed and handled, which will save you both discomfort through the years.

Because the coton de Tulear has long, dense hair, their coat should be brushed at least three times per week with a pin brush. Take extra care around the ears, legs, and elbows where the coat is more likely to mat or tangle. If your coton has very tough mats or tangles, try spritzing them with a conditioning spray and gently remove them with your fingers.

How often your coton de Tulear needs a bath depends largely on their exposure to dirt and dust and the frequency with which you brush them. In general, more brushing means fewer baths. When you bathe your coton, pat them dry—don't rub—to prevent tangling their hair. You can also use a whitening shampoo if their coat is looking dingy.

Check your coton's ears at least weekly for wax buildup, debris, and irritation; clip their nails regularly; and frequently brush their teeth.

Training

Cotons are highly intelligent and trainable and can perform in agility or obedience. Start training and socializing your coton using positive training methods as soon as you bring them home. Aim to expose your coton to different people, other dogs, and various locations from an early age to build their comfort and confidence. Most cotons tend to be charming and curious when meeting new people and having positive experiences can reinforce this.

These dogs aren’t considered the best watchdogs, even though they can be protective of their family and bark to alert you to things.

Common Health Problems

Cotons are generally an extremely healthy breed. While hereditary health issues are uncommon, some can occur, including:

• Luxating patella: This condition causes the knee cap to slip out of place, leading to symptoms like limping.
• Hip dysplasia: This condition causes the hip to develop abnormally, resulting in mobility problems.
• Heart problems: Cotons have a higher risk of heart disease, so keep an eye out for symptoms like coughing or trouble breathing, and have your veterinarian examine your dog regularly.
• Eye problems: Eye conditions that can affect cotons include multifocal retinopathy 2 which causes retinal detachment, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which causes vision loss.
• Skin allergies: Itchy skin might be caused by an allergy, which if not treated, could lead to skin injuries and infections.
• Dental problems: Brushing your dog’s teeth can help prevent infections and plaque and tartar buildup that could lead to gum disease and tooth loss. 
• Ear infections: Because cotons have floppy ears and a lot of fur, they can be susceptible to infections, so keep their ears clean and the hair around their ears trimmed.

Diet and Nutrition

Always have fresh water available for your coton. And feed a high-quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet. It’s typical to feed two measured meals per day, and you might feed a total of 3/4 cup daily. But you should discuss both the quantity and type of diet with your vet to ensure that you’re meeting your dog’s individual needs. Monitor treats and other extra food closely, as even weight gain of a pound can be a lot for this little dog.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Coton de Tulear 

The coton de Tulear is a rare breed, so expect to pay around $2,000 to $4,000 for a puppy from a reputable breeder, though this can vary widely. It’s still worth checking local animal shelters and rescue groups for a dog in need of a home.

For further information to connect you with a coton, check out:

• The United States Coton de Tulear Club
• Madagascar Coton de Tulear Club of America
• American Coton Club
  

Coton de Tulear Overview

The coton de Tulear isn’t just an adorable pet with a beautiful coat; these dogs make amazing companions that will be devoted to you and enjoy doing a variety of things with you. Just be prepared to spend a good amount of time making sure their coat remains healthy.

Pros of Cotons de Tulear

• Very affectionate
• Typically good with kids and other dogs
• Generally very healthy
  

Cons of Cotons de Tulear

• High grooming needs
• Can become destructive when bored
• Doesn't like to be left alone and might experience separation anxiety
  

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Before bringing home a coton de Tulear, do your research to make sure the breed is right for your lifestyle. Talk to breed owners, rescue groups, reputable breeders, and veterinarians. Try to spend some time with cotons if possible.

If you're interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Bichon frise
• Maltese
• Bolognese