Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Coton De Tulear

Coton De Tulear

The Coton De Tulear is an attractive, intelligent little dog with a long white cottony coat. They are slightly longer than they are tall with dark pigmentation, giving them sparkling button nose and eyes and a very appealing expression.

The need-to-know
  • Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
  • Basic training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Little toy dog
  • Minimum drool
  • Requires grooming daily
  • Hypoallergenic breed
  • Very vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks and alerts
  • Great with other pets
  • Great family dog

Key Facts

Lifespan: 14 – 16 years
Weight:  4 – 6kg 
Height:  22 – 30cm 
Colours:  White, shadings of light grey or fawn/apricot may be present on the ears
Size:  Small
UK Kennel Club Groups: Toy

Ratings

Family-friendly: 5/5
Exercise needs: 3/5
Easy to train: 3/5
Tolerates being alone: 1/5
Likes other pets: 5/5
Energy level: 3/5
Grooming needs: 2/5
Shedding: 1/5

Personality

While their origins may lie in pest control on board trading ships, the Coton has enjoyed centuries as a companion dog, thriving on human company. They are still a very capable watchdog, joyfully alerting their human family to anything happening around them, and are intelligent and will enjoy fun training as well as snuggling on laps.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: Madagascar

The ancestors of the Coton De Tulear arrived in the port of Tulear in the 17th Century, more than likely as the ship dogs and companions of sailors and traders. Though there are some romantic and almost certainly fictional tales involving pirates and shipwrecks, these little dogs were mixed with the local dogs, and the most attractive of them prized by nobility.

Rediscovered by European travellers in the middle of the 20th Century, the Coton eventually made their way to the US and the UK, gaining full recognition with the UK Kennel Club in 2004.

Did You Know?

  • The Coton was so popular and prized by the noble families of Tulear that they passed a law prohibiting the common people from owning them!
  • A popular celebrity dog for some time, Coton De Tulear’s have been owned by the likes of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Debra Messing, Barbara Streisand and Jane Fonda. 
  • They are quite a rare breed and have nearly become extinct at several points in history. 
  • Coton De Tulear’s are known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar. 
  • They’re thought to be ancestors of the Bichon Tenerife dog and are considered to be a Bichon type. 

Finding a dog

Labrador lying next to the sofa
Finding a pet
Is this the right breed for you?
All dogs have their own unique personality! Try our Dog Breed Selector tool and find out which dog breeds better match your preferences and lifestyle.
Puppy walking next to owner on a lead
Finding a pet
Thinking about getting a puppy?
Join Growing Pup for help from our Purina experts on how to find the right puppy and prepare for your new arrival, as well as a discount off one of our puppy ranges.
Dog with red collar sitting next to the owner
Finding a pet
Finding a good breeder
If your heart is set on a pedigree puppy, then your best bet is to find a reputable breeder. Find out what to look for in a puppy breeder with this guide.
Dog with red collar
Finding a pet
Welcoming your dog home
While you're waiting for the big day you may need to distract yourself, so luckily there are a few things you need to sort our before you welcome your new arrival.
Dog with red collar lying
Adoption
It's incredibly fulfilling to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue organisation. It often means offering them a second chance at life. There are many dogs waiting for a loving family and their forever home, but what can you expect from the process?
Dog with red collar looking out the window
Puppy advice
Everything you need to know
Getting a new puppy is incredibly exciting for all the family, but it can be quite scary for your new pup. Find out how to deal with everything from behaviour to health questions with our expert puppy advice.
Owner checking dogs collar
Finding a pet
Benefits of having a dog
It's known far and wide that dogs are man's best friend, but did you know that there's actually numerous benefits of having a dog? From helping you to get fit to meeting new people, your puppy can actually help to improve your health and social life. Keep reading to discover the benefits of dogs!