El Coton de tulear It is a breed of dogs from the Madagascar area that is making its way as a companion pet in other parts of the world and we can say that there is a great variety of lap dogs that have become very popular among upper-class women.
From
Unfortunately, there are no precise records that truthfully confirm the origins of Coton de tuléar, so due to its obvious characteristics it is easy to assume that it descends from Maltese bichon. They may have arrived in Madagascar via French, Portuguese or English sailors.
The breed was developed in the port of Tuléar to which it owes its name and the word Coton is thanks to its appearance and texture of the coat. Although it is probable that several breeds of companion dogs were mixed in their origin, his lineage remained isolated for a long time. Because of its appearance, it was popular in the upper class of Madagascar and it was in the 70s that it was recognized by the FCI.
Characteristics of the Coton de tuléar
The appearance and character of this breed of dog is undoubtedly a great advantage to effectively win the heart of its owner. His demeanor is not at all negative and reflects an incomparable sweetness very consistent with its appearance.
With a white coat of soft texture and a temperament that adapts easily to each person, this breed of dog It is an excellent option for owners willing to cover their need for company.
This breed of dog has an extremely charming physical character thanks to its small size, white fur and lively eyes. The head is shaped like a triangle when viewed from the top perspective, with a somewhat domed skull from front view.
The nose can be black and even the chestnut is acceptable with the prominent windows and the straight muzzle. Her lips are thin and stretched the same color as the noseIt has a strong snout with a scissor bite, the cheeks are thin, the eyes are quite round with a dark tone and the edge of the eyelids the same color as the nose and lips.
The ears that hang down are shaped like a triangle and they are high set. We have to say that the color will depend on whether the pet is completely white or is mixed with gray, black or red.
The body is rectangular in shape with a somewhat convex upper line. The neck is arched and strong with obvious muscles of straight skin and no dewlap. The loin and back are firm and muscular, with an oblique and short croup and the chest is broad with a gathered belly and wide ribs.
The forelimbs or forelimbs have oblique shoulders and the length of the humerus corresponds to that of the shoulder blade. The length of the arm corresponds to that of the forearm and they have a parallel and vertical shape. The feet are small and round with pigmented pads and arched, close-knit toes.
The body culminates in a low-set tail that descends below the hock when at rest. When the dog is on the move or on alert, the tail is hunched over the back and the tip towards the nape.
El Coton de tulear It is a small breed dog with a size in males between 26 and 28 cm in height at the withers and a maximum weight of four kg 6. On the other hand, the females measure between 23 and 25 cm. They weigh around a minimum of 3.5 Kg and a maximum of 5 Kg.
The skin is well adhered to the muscle mass and is pink and sometimes pigmented. The coat is the main characteristic of the breed and it is wavy in shape, with long hair very abundant and soft to the touch.
They are usually white in color and this is always present at the base. Despite their fur, they do not usually lose many hairs. This breed of dog will always have a white background color. They can have grayish ears or reddish tones but always dominating white.
Temperament and education
It is normal for small breed dogs to be taxing and territorial in nature. This often contrasts with her cute appearance. However the Coton de tuléar is perfectly in line with its appearance and character and it is that it looks tender and sweet.
His years of experience as service dog And being always very well treated has made him develop a friendly and sociable attitude with human beings, especially if he has been educated from a puppy with other pets. He is friendly and seeks affection from all the people who approach him. He needs constant company and can be depressed or anxious if he is alone for a long time.
As in all breeds, the ideal is to teach them from puppies that they accept other pets in the environment. Positive reinforcement is the best thing to do and they will always be willing to be accommodating. Their intelligence enables them to understand orders and instructions relatively quickly. They should never be treated aggressively as they develop a nervous character.
Care, health and diseases
It is important keep up-to-date vaccination control and vet visits. Due to its size, it is recommended to take care of it from falls or accidentally stepping on it. Children should be educated so that they always have a good relationship with the pet. On the other hand, these dogs are very tolerant of children.
The coat must be combed daily to avoid knots, so the visit to the hairdresser should be done at least twice a year. It is not ideal to bathe them frequently, you have to wait until they really require it, so the frequency of the bath should be bi-monthly or quarterly.
To keep them clean, you must be careful to clean their ears with the indicated products so that they do not generate fungi or infections. You should also be attentive to cleaning your teeth. With regard to the coat, you can use wet baby towels to solve any grooming emergency without resorting to the bathroom.
Part of the care that is extremely important in the Coton de tuléar is that they should not be left alone. They are companion animals and the balance in their character and health depend on being accompanied. The physical exercise for their size is easily channeled with a daily walk or letting them play freely in the yard.