Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tuléar is a small Madagascan companion breed with a cotton-textured white coat — the national dog of Madagascar, and named after the port city of Tuléar.

History

It descends from small white dogs that reached Madagascar aboard ships, where the island population developed in isolation and became associated with the Merina nobility. It was largely unknown outside Madagascar until the twentieth century.

Temperament

The breed is known for being cheerful, sociable and closely attached to its people, with a habit of walking on its hind legs and vocalising in grunts and chirps. It suits families and does poorly left alone for long.

Care and training

Exercise needs are modest. The cotton coat is the commitment: it is soft rather than harsh, mats readily, and needs brushing several times a week or a shorter clip. It trains easily, being both clever and eager for attention.

Health

Known tendencies include patellar luxation and inherited eye conditions; the breed is otherwise generally sound and long-lived for its size. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.