What we Offer

Puppy Package

We offer a puppy package that includes a Care Booklet and Training Booklet to help you take the best possible care of your new family member. We also offer advice on what extra supplies are of benefit. We offer lifetime support, including proper training advice. We have a secret FB Group for our Puppy Families to connect. We are here for you!

lots of picture updates

We offer weekly photo updates so you may see the development of your puppy. This helps with the wait.

We also offer visits to see the puppies as they're growing. If this isn't possible, we send video updates.

Socialization is a key

It is important that the puppies are socialized with many different people. We take care to ensure their health by ensuring hand washing, etc. It is much better for them to see more people than to shelter them. It also helps their immune systems to be safely exposed to the outside world.

All of our puppies are exposed to different sounds and smells. We play different types of music to them, and see that they have a variety of experiences.

We also do early neurological stimulation to boost immunity and help them be calmer, better adjusted in life. This helps them become confident, non fearful companions, who have an easier time adapting to new situations. We take them to visit the elderly and children.

Temperament assessments

We also carefully match up the right puppy for the right family. This ensures a smooth transition. We match energy levels, personality traits and also personal desires. We know our puppies best and take this very seriously.

your dogs ancestry and health

All of our dogs are from excellent lines. We register ALL of our cotons as per CKC's recommendations that state all puppies must be registered and ownership transferred to their prospective owners within six (6) months after they leave the home of the breeder. Chapala Bay Cotons registers our dogs with Canada's Coton registrar: the Canine Federation of Canada. You can find all of our dogs registration information on the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation. As you can see via the previous link, all of our dogs are registered within 6 months of leaving our kennel (unless we are waiting for proof of spay/neuter to ensure there is no chance our dogs get into the hands of backyard breeders). We keep all proof of spay/neuters on file so you can feel comfortable knowing our kennel is not contributing to the potential of irresponsible breeding of this beautiful rare breed. Please note it is against the law to sell a puppy as purebred (as per Agriculture Canada) when its parents are not registered with the appropriate registering body, and hence puppies are not able to be registered. Chapala Bay makes sure all of our parent dogs are registered PRIOR to using them in our breeding program.

We do health testing on all of our breeding dogs prior to being bred. We test eyes, patellas, heart, hips and elbows. We typically post most of our health testing at OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) AKA The Canine Health Information Centre (CHIC). Did you know that you can look up any dog’s health testing by typing in their full registered name as long as the breeder publishes the results?

We also do full genome testing through Embark and test for some rare diseases to make sure we do not pass on genetic problems. Embark genome testing lets us know if the dogs are genetically diverse (Actual COI or Actual Coefficient of Inbreeding). This is based on science, not mathematical probabilities (pedigrees) as was done in the past. This is the best way to help ensure health of the dogs and the breed. Embark also tests for over 175 different health conditions as well as physical traits. Although Cotons are a relatively healthy breed, we want to make sure that the proper testing is done in order to keep it that way. Embark does not currently have tests that detect diseases like Banderas. For those genetic markers, we utilize Gensol. Please note that the FGF4RG allele found on chromosome 12 that can lead to IVDD in the coton (some people refer to it as CDDY although this actually denotes the phenotype), is NOT recessive. To date, there is conflicting evidence between researchers as to whether the allele is Dominant or if it demonstrates Incomplete Penetration. Please feel free to ask me more about this if you are curious!

We are Committed for the lIfetime of your dog. WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS BEAUTIFUL BREED:

I volunteer my time with the Canadian Coton de Tulear Club.
I have BSc with a major in Biology and therefore has a thorough understanding of genetics, health and animal behaviour.
I have my Master of Science which allows me to understand how to read research and apply it to the decisions that impact my kennel and the Coton de Tulear Club.
I subscribe to continuous learning and I enjoy leveraging those learnings with other Code of Ethics breeders.
I contribute to the betterment of the Coton de Tulear by volunteering my time to help other Code of Ethics breeders.
I offer a commitment to always be available for advice throughout your companion’s life.

And of course, I offer the following:

Tips on grooming throughout their lifetime
Current information on nutrition
Information on options for spay/neuter
Connecting you with owners of littermates (online or in person)
Providing contact information for recommended vets for various applications
My personal cell phone so you may contact me at your convenience with any questions that may arise over the lifetime of your coton.

I look forward to our journey together!

Chapala Bay Cotons