November 26th is Coton de Tuléar Day, so just ahead of this lovely celebration, we are going to enjoy a deep dive on this lovely and affectionate little breed of dog!
First of all, their name.
A majestic name indeed but one that many struggle to say, the correct pronunciation is “Co-TAWN-day too-LEE-are” which somehow looks more complicated than the spelling of the actual name!
These fantastic dogs originated from Madagascar, although they were not native to the island. It is not clear exactly where the breed came from first but it is believed that they evolved from shipdogs that survived a wreck in the 16th century and evolved and adapted to their new environment. Madagascar was a hotbed of pirate activity so another theory is that a Tenerife hound was brought onboard a ship and mated with a native dog, resulting in the new breed. So it could be said that Cotons are pirate puppies!
They became the faithful companion dogs of a native tribe called the Merina, who were the ruling tribe of Madagascar and in the 17th century, the monarchy controlled the breed, calling them the “Royal Dogs of Madagascar” which is quite a lofty title for such a small dog!
Despite their long history, they were only brought to Europe in the 1970s and were not recognised and registered with the Kennel Club until as late as 2014!
As expected with a breed that has a translation of the word “cotton” in their name, Cotons are fluffy and soft, with a coat like, you guessed it, cotton! They are a non-shed breed which makes them an excellent choice for those with allergies.
Their coats are usually white with markings that consist of a variety of colours including black, grey, tan or even tri-colour!
The breed has an unusual quirky gene called a “fade gene” which causes colours to fade as the dog ages. The coloured hair is very dark when they are pups and as the dog matures, the base of the hair turns white as it lengthens. It does not always turn fully white and is most obvious when black hairs turn to an ashy or smoke grey-white.
This unique gene is why “Champagne” or “Butter” Cotons will almost always end up pure white when fully mature.
As Cotons are non-shed, they require brushing several times a week. Due to the silkiness and texture of their coat, it is not recommended that they be dry brushed, instead, the cost should be lightly misted before brushing, to help avoid tangled. They should get a full groom every 4-5 weeks.
As if these great little dogs weren’t interesting enough, there is yet another interesting gene anomaly that can randomly occur, called the “tall” gene, where an unusually tall Coton is born to regular sized parents who possess the gene. The “tall” Coton can stand up to a whopping 5 inches taller than the standard size of 8-11 inches!
The Coton is known for their beautiful and gentle temperament, they are highly intelligent and eager to please although they are also known for their stubborn streak which tends to come into play when asked to go out in the rain!
They learn quickly through imitation and it is believed that is why they are quick to hop onto their back legs and walk about, as if imitating humans! They adore children as they share the same youthful energy.
Cotons also have a hilarious habit of back-chatting! They are a vocal breed and aside from the usual expected bark, they are known to grumble, moan, groan or complain in response, scold and even yodel, often ending such vocalisations in a “gobbling” noise!
They are brilliant characters and whether they are living as Madagascan royalty or are snoozing away on your lap, it’s safe to say that these little dogs have a whole lot of personality!
– By Peigí Conneff
