Breed guide
Coton De Tulear
A source-linked starting point for Coton De Tulear: The Coton de Tulear, 'Royal Dog of Madagascar,' is a bright, happy-go-lucky companion dog whose favorite activities include clowning, cavorting, and following their special human around the house. Use this as context for the individual dog's routine, not as a prediction of behaviour or health.
About this breed
How to use this Coton De Tulear profile
For Coton De Tulear, the verified profile records Height, Weight, Life expectancy. These references explain what to observe and what to adjust in daily life; they do not establish a guaranteed behaviour rate, diagnosis, or outcome for an individual dog.
How to recognize the breed
Use the whole outline, coat, proportions, and movement together. A single photo or colour is not enough to establish breed identity.
10-11 inches (male), 9-10 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height9-15 pounds (male), 8-13 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight15-19 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancyGrooming the Coton puppy is a breeze. During that time you should groom him regularly and ensure that he learns to see grooming sessions as positive times of bonding with his person. Unless you are going to keep your Coton in a short 'puppy clip,' your dog will require a great deal of brushing. You must be careful to get your comb and brush all the way to…
AKC page Grooming > official section copyBody condition and trend
Height and weight references are already shown above; they are context, not a personal target. Use the BCS tool and the individual dog's ribs, waist, abdominal tuck, age, and trend.
Daily life priorities
The Coton is a fairly active dog who requires a moderate amount of exercise. Daily walks with his human at a slow speed will keep him in good weight and condition. Chasing a tennis ball around his backyard can keep his mind active as well as his body. A bored and unhappy Coton can become destructive. He does best when provided with enough exercise, lots of…
AKC page Exercise > official section copyThe Coton is an alert dog and naturally territorial. Cotons should be well socialized from an early age so that they will enjoy going with you wherever you go. Obedience training is a good idea, for socialization as well as reinforcing lessons and manners. A bored Coton will be unable to learn anything. Keep your training sessions lively and entertaining…
AKC page Training > official section copyGrooming the Coton puppy is a breeze. During that time you should groom him regularly and ensure that he learns to see grooming sessions as positive times of bonding with his person. Unless you are going to keep your Coton in a short 'puppy clip,' your dog will require a great deal of brushing. You must be careful to get your comb and brush all the way to…
AKC page Grooming > official section copyAdjust difficulty, duration, and handling for the individual dog. The linked long-tail pages turn these profile facts into practical routines.
Health checks and when to call the vet
If you are choosing a puppy or checking a breeding record, ask for the named test, result, date, and scheme. These checks help assess breeding risk; they are not a diagnosis of an individual dog.
Questions owners ask about Coton De Tulear
Verified facts
| Height | 10-11 inches (male), 9-10 inches (female) AKC page PageMap DataObject > height |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9-15 pounds (male), 8-13 pounds (female) AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight |
| Life expectancy | 15-19 years AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy |
| Grooming | Grooming the Coton puppy is a breeze. During that time you should groom him regularly and ensure that he learns to see grooming sessions as positive times of bonding with his person. Unless you are going to keep your Coton in a short 'puppy clip,' your dog will require a great deal of brushing. You must be careful to get your comb and brush all the way to… AKC page Grooming > official section copy |
| Exercise | The Coton is a fairly active dog who requires a moderate amount of exercise. Daily walks with his human at a slow speed will keep him in good weight and condition. Chasing a tennis ball around his backyard can keep his mind active as well as his body. A bored and unhappy Coton can become destructive. He does best when provided with enough exercise, lots of… AKC page Exercise > official section copy |
| Training | The Coton is an alert dog and naturally territorial. Cotons should be well socialized from an early age so that they will enjoy going with you wherever you go. Obedience training is a good idea, for socialization as well as reinforcing lessons and manners. A bored Coton will be unable to learn anything. Keep your training sessions lively and entertaining… AKC page Training > official section copy |
| Official breed description | The Coton de Tulear, 'Royal Dog of Madagascar,' is a bright, happy-go-lucky companion dog whose favorite activities include clowning, cavorting, and following their special human around the house. The Coton is small but robustly sturdy. AKC page About the Breed > official breed description |
| Recommended parent-club health tests | ['Patella Evaluation', 'Hip Evaluation', 'Cardiac Exam', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation'] AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club |
| Official breed standard | http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/CotondeTulear.pdf AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard |
How to use this profile
Use the facts on this page as a starting point, then observe the individual dog. A breed label does not establish behaviour frequency, diagnosis, or a guaranteed outcome. Medical and screening claims remain subject to review.
Research status
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