Everything you need to know about your Coton de Tulear 

The Coton de Tulear is a small, friendly, and intelligent dog breed that originated in the Madagascar city of Tulear. This breed is well-known for its distinctive coat of long, cotton-like hair that is hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. Cotons are playful, social dogs who get along well with children and other pets. They are also well-known for their exceptional trainability, making them simple to train and ideal for new dog owners. Cotons, despite their small size, are energetic and require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. They are ideal for families who live in apartments or small houses because they do not require much space.

A Coton de Tulear's upbringing and activity level

This dog breed does not require a lot of exercise, but it does need to be mentally and physically stimulated. It can take the form of playing with other dogs or with dog toys, which this breed adores. It is easy to believe that the dog's high energy level necessitates a lot of exercise, but this is not the case. In contrast to long walks, the Coton dog enjoys and excels at agility. This breed of dog is also a cuddly sofa buddy who enjoys playing with you and your family.

A Coton de Tulear dog can adapt to its owner's lifestyle and thrive in both the countryside and small apartments. It thrives and is happy as long as it gets outside to explore on walks and meet other dogs and people.

When we talk about socializing a Coton de Tulear, we mean creating positive encounters and situations between your dog and other animals and people. This results in a well-balanced adult Coton de Tulear. Also, fun obedience training can be a starting point to mentally and physically stimulate your cotton dog while it is being raised - for example, it is important to housetrain this dog breed from the start, as it poses a greater challenge for it than other dog breeds.

You should continue to train your Coton de Tulear in a fun and entertaining manner, with lots of love and praise. Then you will see positive outcomes. Treats are also beneficial, but keep in mind that the breed is a small dog that can become overweight quickly. You may want to consider using low-fat dog treats.

How big does a Coton dog get?

A Coton de Tulear adult can live for 13-19 years, stands 22-32 cm tall, and weighs 3.5-6 kg. Although it is a generally healthy dog breed, it is prone to eye problems and hip dysplasia. As with smaller dog breeds, luxated patellar (dislocating knee joints) and spinal problems are possible, but Coton de Tulear dog breeders have worked hard to keep the breed free of these health issues. You have a good chance of getting a healthy and fit Coton de Tulear puppy because of the numerous genetic checks.

Coton de Tulear coat colors

This dog breed resembles a petite, white teddy bear due to its diminutive stature and naturally long, cotton-like coat. Most people find the dogs' dark eyes and mischievous smirk endearing. The coat of a Coton de Tulear is never rough or stiff, but rather medium length and silky. The fur is typically white, with occasional reddish-yellow or light gray patches around the ears.

A sociable Coton de Tulear

A Coton de Tulear frequently adapts to the way of life of its owner. Coton dogs should not be left alone at home for extended periods of time. It may become dissatisfied and destructive as a result. Fortunately, this is the only disadvantage of a Coton de Tulear, as it gets along well with people, especially children, and other animals. Coton dogs are dogs that you want to be with because they want to be where you are - they become your shadow.

The Coton Dog dislikes being left alone, but it does not require constant stimulation. As a result, if you have the opportunity, you can bring it to work (or elsewhere) with you because it will sleep in a corner with one eye on you so it knows where you are. During your breaks, you can play with it, and it will display the skills you have practiced together. A Coton de Tulear is a conversation partner who responds with a wagging tail and small whoops and grunts.

Grooming and care of fur

Even after being out in the rain, the breed's fur hardly smells like a dog. The fur, on the other hand, demands a lot of attention. Brushing the fur every day to remove felt balls necessitates a lot of time and attention from you and your dog. The coat should ideally be brushed from inside to outside, and conditioner spray may be necessary. Check your Coton hound's ears a few times a week for excess hair, wax, or dirt to avoid ear infections. You should also bathe it with dog shampoo every three weeks.

Most Coton dog owners have it groomed three times a year to avoid extensive maintenance. It will be beneficial to introduce your Coton hound puppy to the fur care routine early on, as this will allow it to become an important part of your and your dog's comfortable routine.

Good advice on diet for your Coton dog

The Coton de Tulear has medium dietary requirements, so their diet should be made up of premium dry dog food made specifically for small breeds. Since this breed does tend to overeat, portion control is crucial to keeping them at their appropriate weight. Given that Cotons have delicate digestive systems, it is advised against abrupt diet changes and to feed them two or three smaller meals rather than one larger one each day. It's critical to keep an eye on how specific components affect Coton de Tulears because some of them can be prone to food allergies.