The Coton de Tulear, how can one describe them?
Cotons are happy, cheerful dogs who are willing to do as much or as little as you want. They have soft, cottony textured fur, they are exuberant and intelligent. Having a Coton or two in your family can only brighten your days. They are ever happy to greet you, even if you have only been gone 5 minutes. Some will walk on their hind legs. They make unusual vocalizations.
Most Cotons will cock their heads attentively while you talk to them. They seem to sense if you are down, and give you an extra bit of love, and a laugh. They are considered the anti-depression dog of France.
The typical English pronunciation of the Coton de Tulear is Ca-tawn de Too-lee-ahr. Of course in French it sounds more elegant.
To know a Coton is to enhance your quality of life. They are noted for their cheerful temperament and clown-like behavior. They also do not have a doggy odor, even when they are wet.
Cotons are good for some allergy sufferers and shed very little. Even though they are hypo-allergenic it is still possible to have allergies to them.
Although small, they are quite sturdy and athletic. They also get along well with other animals. They are a very social dog, so they should not be left alone all day. They will adapt to being left for a certain amount of time, however, 8 hours a day, five days a week, would not be an acceptable life Cotons. The maximum amount of time they should be left alone would be 3 to 4 hours as an adult or less for puppies.
The Coton is a rare breed, so they have not been over bred, and do not have many genetic defects that other breeds do. This is why health testing is so important so we can keep it that way.
Adding a Coton or two to your family will give you countless hours of happiness and joy!
