Do You Know The Breed Of Coton De Tulear?
The Coton de Tulear is a breed of dog native to Africa that can be easily confused with other dogs of the Bichon family. In fact, it is very likely that it descends from them if we consider their morphological and behavioral traits.
Next, we invite you to learn more about this beautiful ‘cotton fur’ dog. Briefly, we will talk about its origins, its physical characteristics, its personality and health.
Physical characteristics of the Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a small dog, with a body that is longer than it is tall. Its belly is slightly tucked, not excessively thin, while the chest is well developed and long. It also highlights the slightly accentuated withers, the short and oblique rump and the slightly convex upper line.
Its head, seen from above, has a triangular shape and is short. Already in its frontal angle, it seems wide and slightly domed, with a not very accentuated stop .
The eyes of the Coton de Tulear are rounded and dark, and it displays lively expressions. Its nose is black, and its ears are triangular, set high and hanging.
The coat is the most characteristic feature of the breed, and it even gives rise to its name. Due to the loose, white and soft-textured hairs, which at the same time make up a dense coat, their fur has a cottony appearance. The term coton in French means ‘cotton’ and is a clear reference to the type of coat of the Coton de Tulear.
Personality and behavior of the Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is characterized by a cheerful, sweet and friendly temperament, and is extremely warm and affectionate with its relatives. It is a versatile and lively dog that can easily adapt to different types of people and environments.
With proper socialization, the Coton de Tulear should not show problems in living with other dogs and animals. His relationship with people is also usually very fluid, since he is a highly sociable dog. It can also be an excellent companion for children.
Being an intelligent, predisposed and balanced dog, educating a Coton de Tulear does not involve great difficulties. It can even be a recommended breed for inexperienced guardians, since they are easy to train and do not require very specific care.
It is highly recommended to use positive reinforcement in your best friend’s education to stimulate his intelligence and sociability. Daily physical activity and mental stimulation will also be essential to maintain good health and stable temperament.
Tulear skin health
Despite its small size, the Coton de Tulear is a strong and resistant dog. When he receives adequate preventive medicine and the necessary care, he does not tend to fall ill easily and shows an excellent temperament in his day-to-day life.
In practice, in these small animals there are no degenerative or hereditary diseases that show a high incidence in this breed.
Essential care for a Coton de Tulear
As we have mentioned, the cotton of Tulear does not require difficult or very detailed care. However, its abundant coat requires daily brushing to remove dirt and avoid knot formation.
Restrooms only need to be offered when the dog is really dirty; Too much bathing could harm your pet’s health. Nor is it necessary to take them very often to the dog groomer, since their hairs tend to maintain a fairly balanced length.
On the other hand, the Coton de Tulear needs to perform physical exercises daily to maintain a stable behavior. These animals are more active and require higher activity than most small dogs. It is advisable to take at least two daily walks of 30 to 40 minutes with your best friend.
It will also be essential to play intelligence games and enrich your dog’s environment to keep his mind well stimulated. And remember that training is the best exercise for your body, your senses, and your mind.
Some facts about the history of the Cotón de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a breed of African dog, and it is native to the island of Madagascar ; its name refers to the port city of Tulear, which today is better known as Toliara.
Not much information is known exactly about its birth and the breeds that have influenced the appearance and temperament of this dog. It is estimated that their ancestors were some Bichon-type dogs, brought to the island by Portuguese and Spanish navigators, or by French troops.
Recognition by the International Cynological Federation (FCI) was given in the 70s. Only from then on is the breed beginning to be exported to other continents. But to this day it is not a very popular but, although it has many attributes to be an excellent family companion.
