History of the Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear: Madagascar’s Charming “Royal Dog”

When thinking of African dog breeds, minds typically wander to the Rhodesian Ridgeback—bred historically to hunt lions—or the majestic Azawakh, which was utilized to guard livestock in West Africa. However, people often overlook a small, wonderfully fluffy companion that originated on the island of Madagascar: the Coton de Tulear, affectionately known as the “Cotie” or simply “Coton”.

The Mysterious Origins: To Madagascar and Back

The exact historical roots of the Coton de Tulear remain shrouded in uncertainty, with two primary theories explaining their arrival in Madagascar:

• The Sea Voyage Theory: During the 16th and 17th centuries, ladies on sea voyages took their little white dogs (perhaps the Tenerife dog, the Maltese terrier, or the Bichon Frise) with them, or these dogs were used to hunt rats on the ships.

• The Shipwreck Survivors: Another story is that a handful of white dogs were washed up on the shores of Madagascar, serving as the only survivors of a devastating shipwreck.

Once established on the island, these little dogs adapted remarkably well. While some lived on the streets, others were favored by nobility and were kept as pets. The name Coton de Tulear refers to the port city of Tulear, now called Toliara, where the breed truly thrived.

Expanding Horizons: There and Back Again

The Coton de Tulear eventually came to Europe in the 1970s.

• Discovery and Introduction: Dr. Robert Jay Russell discovered the breed in Madagascar in 1973 and brought the first ones to America, nicknaming them the “Royal Dog of Madagascar”.

• Establishment in France: A Frenchman visiting Madagascar brought some of these dogs to France, and worked to establish them as a breed.

• North American Growth: Not long after, the Coton de Tulear was brought across the Atlantic to North America, where Dr. Russell established the Coton de Tulear Club of America in 1976.

Today, the Coton de Tulear is beloved not just in Madagascar, but around the world. They are particularly popular in the USA for their sweet and cuddly personalities.

Appearance and Coat Characteristics

The Coton de Tulear is a small dog, featuring a dark nose (though pink noses aren’t unheard of), floppy ears, and rounded eyes.

• The word “Coton” means cotton, and this is a perfect description for the breed’s soft, fluffy coat.

• The breed is considered hypoallergenic, as they do not shed and produce minimal dander.

• However, they need a lot of grooming to keep their coats in good condition.

• The Coton de Tulear’s soft coat comes in white, black and white, tricolour, or white with tan patches.

• A puppy’s initial colour often fades as they age.

Personality and Temperament

The Coton de Tulear was bred to be a companion dog, and it certainly shows.

• Affectionate and Intelligent: This breed is affectionate, intelligent, and playful. They are eager to please, and take well to training.

• Social Butterflies: They love meeting people, including children, and often get on well with other animals.

• Active Lifestyle: The Coton enjoys being active, loves swimming and running, and often does well at canine agility and obedience.

• Evening Energy: They are often more active in the evening, which is perfect for those who love long evening walks.

• Suitability: All these traits mean that the Coton de Tulear is suitable for most dog owners, be they beginners or old hands at dog owning.

• Important Caveats: Owners should be warned that this breed sometimes suffers from separation anxiety. They may also be suspicious or shy if not socialised properly, so make socialisation a priority for your Coton de Tulear puppy.

Health and Wellness

The Coton de Tulear is generally a healthy breed. Patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) have been seen in some Cotons, but these issues are not widespread in the breed.