All about Coton puppies and adults
Are Cotons indoor or outdoor dogs?
Cotons are companion dogs raised to live by their human's side. They can adapt from apartment living in the city to life in the country. Either way they are meant to be inside dogs who can live with other dogs/cats, children and you!
How big will my Coton be?
Anywhere from about 9-18 pounds and between 9-13 inches at the withers (shoulder.) They make a great lap dog!
I have read that the Coton doesn't shed. Is this true?
Yes! The Coton de Tulear has a beautiful and fluffy coat of hair that is soft like cotton. Additionally they are non-shedding and have low amounts of dander making them hypo-allergenic to most people.
How long will my Coton live?
The average lifespan is between 14-16 years although there are some that have lived to 18.
Do the puppies keep the color they are born with?
The Coton de Tulear is born with one of three color combinations. All white, tri-color which is cream, brown and a bit of black and lastly, black and white. The white remains the same, the tri-color may fade to a lighter shade of brown becoming more caramel in color and the black and white puppies keep most of their color throughout their lives.
How often will my Coton need to be groomed?
We start off brushing our Cotons often so they become used to grooming. At 6-9 months of age they "blow" their puppy coats and you may find yourself wondering what in the world you got yourself into! Don't worry, this stage only happens one time and it will get better. We brush our Cotons once or twice a week which prevents mats from forming. Additionally we keep our Cotons in a "puppy cut" where their hair is about one inch long, which helps to keep the mats down.
Do they bark a lot?
Not often. However they will alert you when someone comes down your driveway or knocks on your door. We look at it as our own personal security system!
Are they good family pets?
Definitely! Being a sturdy dog most Cotons enjoy the playfulness of children, young and old. Because they were bred to be a companion dog they seem to be especially tuned in to their family members. It has been our experience that the Coton will love playing with their housemates whether they are big or small, feline or canine.
Do you need a big yard for your Coton?
One of the best things about the Coton de Tulear is they are as happy going for a walk around your neighborhood, hiking for a day in a park or playing at the beach as they are snuggling up to you at the end of a long day while you read or watch TV. They truly are a breed that can do it all!
What is the temperament of the Coton de Tulear?
The Malagasy Coton de Tulear is known to be cheerful, lovable, intelligent, lively, faithful, hardy, playful and alert. Because they are especially sweet and amusing they have been described as having a temperament similar to that of a happy clown! They are so well known for having such a delightful temperament that it is considered a hallmark of the breed.
Cotons are companion dogs raised to live by their human's side. They can adapt from apartment living in the city to life in the country. Either way they are meant to be inside dogs who can live with other dogs/cats, children and you!
How big will my Coton be?
Anywhere from about 9-18 pounds and between 9-13 inches at the withers (shoulder.) They make a great lap dog!
I have read that the Coton doesn't shed. Is this true?
Yes! The Coton de Tulear has a beautiful and fluffy coat of hair that is soft like cotton. Additionally they are non-shedding and have low amounts of dander making them hypo-allergenic to most people.
How long will my Coton live?
The average lifespan is between 14-16 years although there are some that have lived to 18.
Do the puppies keep the color they are born with?
The Coton de Tulear is born with one of three color combinations. All white, tri-color which is cream, brown and a bit of black and lastly, black and white. The white remains the same, the tri-color may fade to a lighter shade of brown becoming more caramel in color and the black and white puppies keep most of their color throughout their lives.
How often will my Coton need to be groomed?
We start off brushing our Cotons often so they become used to grooming. At 6-9 months of age they "blow" their puppy coats and you may find yourself wondering what in the world you got yourself into! Don't worry, this stage only happens one time and it will get better. We brush our Cotons once or twice a week which prevents mats from forming. Additionally we keep our Cotons in a "puppy cut" where their hair is about one inch long, which helps to keep the mats down.
Do they bark a lot?
Not often. However they will alert you when someone comes down your driveway or knocks on your door. We look at it as our own personal security system!
Are they good family pets?
Definitely! Being a sturdy dog most Cotons enjoy the playfulness of children, young and old. Because they were bred to be a companion dog they seem to be especially tuned in to their family members. It has been our experience that the Coton will love playing with their housemates whether they are big or small, feline or canine.
Do you need a big yard for your Coton?
One of the best things about the Coton de Tulear is they are as happy going for a walk around your neighborhood, hiking for a day in a park or playing at the beach as they are snuggling up to you at the end of a long day while you read or watch TV. They truly are a breed that can do it all!
What is the temperament of the Coton de Tulear?
The Malagasy Coton de Tulear is known to be cheerful, lovable, intelligent, lively, faithful, hardy, playful and alert. Because they are especially sweet and amusing they have been described as having a temperament similar to that of a happy clown! They are so well known for having such a delightful temperament that it is considered a hallmark of the breed.