American Coton Club Code of Ethics breeders are committed to:

o preserving the genetic health of the Coton de Tulear
o producing beautiful and well mannered puppies while maintaining a viable and vibrant gene pool
o regular health testing of their breeding Cotons
o lifelong education and a commitment to becoming ever better breeders
o lifetime support for their puppies and puppy buyers
o finding the best possible homes for their puppies
o standing behind their puppies for the life of the dog
o providing the best possible socialization for their puppies to ensure a wonderful start in life

Pet Stores and Puppymills

Before you consider the purchase of a "Coton" puppy for $600, $800, $1200, or even $1800 or more from a pet store, commercial kennel, a large scale breeder, or a broker who offers you a puppy "imported from Eastern Europe with championship bloodlines", read the following very important messages from   http://www.prisonersofgreed.org  and http://www.stoppuppymills.org/

For further links and information visit the UCARE (United Coton de Tulear Association for Rescue and Education) web site at www.cotonrescue.us and talk to the people who see firsthand the condition and care of Cotons and other breeds in the puppymills.  These puppymills, also called "large volume breeders", are the source of pet store dogs.  The dogs are shipped across the country in large trucks stacked to the ceiling with crates containing puppies.  Sometimes these puppies are torn away from their mothers before they are weaned.  The puppies that survive are cleaned up to make them presentable in the pet stores.

You can make a difference!  The puppymills feed the pet stores.  No reputable breeder ever places puppies in a pet store to be sold to someone they haven't carefully interviewed.  If the pet stores in your home town sell puppies, kittens and other live animals, don't shop at that pet store and let the owner know why.  Write to your local newspaper, find other concerned people through your local humane society, picket the pet store and find other ways to let them know their business will improve if they stop selling puppies.  Join the growing number of pet lovers throughout the U.S.  Counties like Santa Cruz and Santa Clara in California have convinced pet stores, including chains like Pet Smart, that it is not smart to sell puppies.  If the pet stores stop selling puppies, the puppymillers will go out of business.  Pet stores are their major outlet.

Back Yard Breeders

Don't be fooled by fancy or beautiful web sites.  It's easy to put the words "raised in the home with children" and other flowery phrases on the web site.  It's easy to put beautiful pictures of children with dogs on a web site and to say "champion bloodlines".  Get to thoroughly know the breeder and seek independent references before buying a puppy.  Take a look at the web site www.cotonville.com.  It's the web site of an independent (not club supported) breeder in Maryland.  She has sold Cotons for many years.  Recently a dead dog was discovered in her front yard.  The following is a press release from the Montgomery County Humane Society dated January 13, 2006

Public Service Announcement from the
Montgomery County Humane Society
For Immediate Release: January 13, 2006
Media Contact: Ashley Owen (240-770-5968),
Director of Humane Education and Public Relations
Main Shelter Information: 240-773-5960

Montgomery County Animal Control Seizes Twenty-Eight Dogs from Clarksburg Home

On December 28, 2005, officers from the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division discovered one deceased dog and one malnourished dog without proper shelter at a home on Dancrest Drive in Clarksburg, MD. A necropsy of the deceased dog revealed dirt and hair in its stomach. Officers also learned that there were multiple dogs at this residence.

On January 4, 2006, officers executed a search warrant on the premises. During the search, officers located twenty adult dogs and eight puppies in cages; many were lying in their own urine and feces. The dogs were seized and transported to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter where a veterinarian examined them. The evaluation determined that many of the dogs were malnourished. Others were severely matted with evidence of feces on their coat and urine stains on their feet. Behavioral evaluations revealed they were nervous, depressed, very unsocialized due to their isolation in crates with little human contact, and not housebroken.

Also on this day, January 4, 2006, the owner of the dogs met with the Animal Services Division today and relinquished ownership of the dogs. One dog is a Beagle and the twenty-seven others are all Coton de Tulear.

As of January 13, 2006, the Montgomery County Humane Society has seven dogs in the shelter, and fifteen in foster care. Two of the seven adults at the shelter have terrible ear infections. The Montgomery County Humane Society has adopted out six Cotons. In addition, five dogs at the animal shelter and three dogs in foster care have adoptions pending. Several adult Cotons are not be adoptable because of special needs and will be sent to rescue.

We are looking for experienced homes to place the adoptable Cotons. Potential owners must be very sympathetic, patient, and able to conduct rehabilitation work. These dogs are extremely depressed, nervous, and not housebroken. We will not place the Cotons in homes with young children between the ages of 2 years and 6 years of age.

At this time, the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division is reviewing the facts of the case and actively pursuing charges at this time. Updates will be provided as they become available. 

A Coton de Tulear puppy is a long term investment.  Don't you want to know how your puppy's mother and father live and how your puppy spent his/her first 10 weeks of life?  Contact an ACC Code of Ethics breeder.  You can visit their web sites and find the puppy of your dreams at Puppies Available

Introduction to the Coton de Tulear

Back to Top  

    A brief history  
    Cotons in the United States  
    Show or Pet?
    What to expect
    How to choose
    Coton Temperament
    Coton de Tulear News

A Brief History:  Coton de Tulear (Cotawn duh Too-lee-are -- the plural is Cotons de Tulear -- cotton dogs from Tulear, Madagascar) is a fairly recent breed, developed by breeders in the island of Madagascar in the early twentieth century. The name is French.  Coton means cotton for their dry, non-oily cottony coat, and Tulear is a port city in Madagascar.  All purebred dogs are designer breeds; the Coton de Tulear is no exception.  Many students of the breed believe the dogs developed from natural crosses -- combinations of the now extinct Tenerife Terrier from the Tenerife Islands near Madagascar, Bedlington Terrier (because of the arched back), Papillons (because of the color varieties), and the Bichons which may have been brought into Madagascar by visiting sailors.  As might be expected, there was a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes in these forerunners to the modern Coton de Tulear. 

French Colonials became enamoured with the smaller, white examples of the Coton de Tulear and took them back to France to begin developing the French version, a relatively small (upper range about 13 pounds) Coton de Tulear with the appearance of white. This breed is not snow white but rather creamy colored.  "Appearance of white" means the dogs can have gray or Champagne coloring on the ears and a hint on the body.  The French bred selectively for a small size and a white color.  It is said that to enhance success, some breeders crossed their stock with Maltese which are small and white and have been a stable breed for thousands of years.  Today we still see a wide variation in temperaments and physical characteristics of the Coton de Tulear. Some are large (up to 17-20 pounds or more), some have vivid coloration, the variations being white, white with a bit of Champagne or gray on the ears (the "appearance of white"), black and white, brown or reddish and white, or tricolor as adults.  Sometimes the puppies even from white parents have vivid colors which usually fade dramatically to white as they mature.  Some Coton de Tulear have long noses  characteristic of Terriers, some are snub nose with rounded faces.  Many have some of the Terrier temperament and enjoy digging in the yard (although not to the extent of Terriers), others are more Bichon-like. 

The Kennel Club in the country of origin (in this case, Madagascar) for any particular breed writes the standard for the breed. However, the French Kennel Club assumed the stewardship of the Coton de Tulear Standard from the Madagascar Kennel Club in the 1970's and rewrote the standard, changing for example, "there may be black spots on the body" to "appearance of white" which precludes black spots on the body. Today the French Kennel Club owns the FCI standard.  The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is a worldwide canine organization based in Belgium which recognizes 331 breeds and has 78 members and partners, one from each country. The FCI is not a registry. Each country's member organization is responsible for their country's registry activities and judges' training. The FCI insures that the pedigrees and judges are mutually recognized by all the FCI members.

Coton de Tulear in the United States:  FCI is recognized by most countries except for the United States and Canada. The United States equivalent canine organization is the American Kennel Club (AKC), which differs, however, in that it is a registering body.  The Canadian equivalent is the Canadian Kennel Club or CKC.  Although the Coton de Tulear is very popular in Europe with over 20,000 in France alone, it is still a "rare breed" in the United States with perhaps 5000 total. "Rare breed" means that the breed is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club, therefore, there is no uniform standard for the Coton de Tulear.

There are two recognized standards in the United States.  One is the French or FCI standard, which is used by all the rare breed show organizations for judging the breed.  Most show fancy breeders try to breed to this standard.  It must be recognized that the standard is an ideal, and that in any healthy population of dogs with vibrant and viable gene pools, the phenotype (physical description) for many good dogs will fall outside the standard.  In most dog breeds, the standard is revised from time to time as the phenotypes drift, often caused by breeding to whatever particular type wins in the shows. It is no different with the Coton de Tulear.  The French FCI standard was revised in 1999, and probably will be revised every 7 years or so.  One of the revisions in 1999 involved the length of the coat.  Formerly, a length much over 3.5" was a serious and even eliminating fault in the show ring.  This restriction was removed and some of the show dogs tend to have long, thick, flowing coats, which are showier if not more practical.

The other standard is that of one particular United States organization, the Coton de Tulear Club of America (CTCA).  In 1974, a young Ph.D. student named Jay Russell, went to Madagascar to research Lemurs for his thesis in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland. There he saw Coton de Tulear and brought to the United states about four dogs, which he gave to his father to develop a kennel.  Coton de Tulear were introduced to the United States in 1974 by Russell, and the first kennel, Oakshade, began.  The CTCA began with 4-6 Cotons de Tulear from Madagascar, and soon Russell senior had 20+ breeding females in his kennel.

In 1976, Russell wrote his own standard for the breed which differs from the FCI standard particularly with respect to size and color.  Originally allowing for Coton de Tulear up to 15 pounds, he rewrote the standard in the 1990's to allow up to 18 pounds as the dogs expectedly increased in average size.  Devoted to preserving the characteristics of the original Coton de Tulear in Madagascar, he permits all colors in his standard.  He founded the Coton de Tulear Club at this time, which he runs as a business.  After a few stints of teaching as a lecturer, teaching assistant and Assistant Professor at several universities, he devoted his life to the Coton de Tulear, as a breeder and student of the breed.  Recently, he has closed the gene pool for the population of Cotons in his club, requiring CTCA breeders to only breed to dogs owned by other CTCA breeders.  Although he touts the original Malagasy type, many of his breeders also imported Cotons from the great European kennels, and CTCA Cotons are a mixture of Malagasy and European types.

Meanwhile, in 1976, a Belgian couple, Helga and Leon Lopatin brought the first Coton de Tulear from Belgium into the United States.  They founded the original United States of America Coton de Tular Club. This club has in recent years become a show fancy club which adheres to the FCI standard with respect to weight and the "appearance of white". 

The American Coton Club (ACC) was founded in 2000 by a group of serious breeders who recognized that what is most important is the health and temperament of the breed.  Maintaining health and temperament without sacrificing beauty requires maintaining and enhancing the original gene pool of the breed.  Breeding to type for the shows necessarily reduces the available gene pool in succeeding generations.  Closing the gene pool as the CTCA has done obviously reduces the available gene pool.  ACC, while supporting the FCI standard and supporting showing the dogs at conformation shows, encourages breeding to maintain as large a gene pool as possible to ensure good genes are not irretrievably lost in the pursuit of breeding to type.  A number of ACC breeders retain the original lines from Madagascar and their dogs are imported directly from Madagascar.

Show/Breedable Cotons versus Pets or Companions:  Dog showing is a sport, and for some it is an expensive hobby. Some dogs and some breeders love the sport.  Winning at the shows does not necessarily mean a superior dog in terms of passing on desirable traits to offspring.  The current trend for the show dogs is to have profuse coats that can even trail on the ground (this makes sense; a beautifully groomed bouffant coat is very showy).  Larger dogs are showier and so some of the winning champions are over the standard in weight since the dogs are not weighed at the shows.  There is no requirement for show dogs to be genetically healthy (although reputable breeders regularly test their dogs for various problems).  Showing can be a wonderful social experience for dogs and owners alike, and many show dogs although not all, have good temperaments.  Some show dogs love all animals and people and love to show. Others are shy or somewhat fearful of strange dogs and people and prefer the comfort of their own family. 

Every puppy in a litter has a different temperament.  A good breeder is keenly aware of the difference in the puppies' personalities and tries to match the personality of the puppy to what the new owner wants and needs.  Only a small fraction of the puppies in a given litter should be considered truly potential show quality and worthy of carrying on the genes of the breed.  Question any breeder who tells you the entire litter is show quality.  Puppies can be considered show quality because they can compete and win in conformation shows in the baby class when they are only three months old. It is quite possible to gain a championship in the U.S. before reaching one year of age. However, the puppy continues growing until at least a year old.  Upper and lower jaw can continue to grow at different rates.  The long bones of the legs are just beginning their growth, and no puppy should be considered breedable quality until at least a year old and meets all conformation and health tests.

What should you expect from a Coton:  As has occurred in nearly every other breed, as the breed matures, the phenotype diverges from the original purpose of the breed to that which is popular at the shows.  In a number of the working class breeds, the show dogs are not fit any more for what they were designed to do.  The Coton de Tulear is designed to be a wonderful, clownish, happy, adaptable, boisterous Companion dog.  It should be an integral part of the family, content to sit on your lap or at your feet, and yet instantly ready for rough house play or to read your mind when you are thinking of a walk or a hike or a ride in the car.  The Cotons with extremely thick, profuse and long hair do well with owners whose primary hobby is showing, but may not be suited for the rough and tumble play of ordinary life.  Sometimes the show dog puppies are not allowed to play with each other or with other dogs because their hair may get mussed or even pulled out.  They can't walk on grass or play in the dirt while they are campaigning in the shows, and some spend considerable time confined to cages (certainly during the show weekends and perhaps the days of preparation before the shows).  The ideal Companion Coton has a relatively easy to care for coat without the necessity of getting a "puppy cut".  Don't be put off by Cotons with long and thick hair.  Coats are variable and sometimes even this is relatively easy to care for.  Many Coton de Tulear owners do opt for a "puppy cut" during the "blowing coat" stage between 6 and 18 months of age when it seems all the under hair comes loose at once.  Your Coton will still look adorable with a puppy cut.  Remember, however, that most of the mats and knots in the underhair form close to the skin, so you will still have to do some brushing and combing.  Many owners easily get by with an overall combing once or twice a week although for many families it is an enjoyable social experience to brush or comb every day.

Most but not all Coton de Tulear have undercoats. This is the fine, downy hair that mats as it loosens from the skin. It's held in by the coarser and longer outer hair.  The loose stays locked in the coat instead of being shed all over the house. Frequent brushing or combing are required to keep the coats mat free.  However, if you are not trying to maintain every hair in place to impress the judges at the shows, it is quite feasible to thin out this underhair to alleviate much of the matting.  These Cotons may not look quite like the poufy, bouffant photos but it's hard to tell the difference.  There are still Cotons available with appropriate length hair that is well within the standard, but does not drape on the ground.

Expect a dog you can take everywhere, one that has little or no shedding, little or no dander (a cause of allergies in people), little or no doggy odor, a dry hairlike coat that sheds dirt, a dog clean enough to sleep in your bed, and a dog that has no significant genetic disease built into the breed.  The Coton de Tulear is still remarkably free of genetic disease.  There are perhaps 45-55 known genetic diseases in Cotons (compared to hundreds in other more common breeds).  The known incidence of any particular genetic problem is low, in the 1-5% range.  Often in other breeds, the incidence of one or more diseases can be greater than 50% in the population and presents a real problem to long term breed vitality.  The known incidence of any particular genetic problem is still quite low.  It is good to be aware of possible health problems but health information which appears on this web site is not meant to convey that there is a particular health problem in the breed.  You can learn here about eye health,  a recently discovered blood disorder, von Willebrands Disease which is common in some breeds but still rare in Cotons, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), which is still rare in Cotons, and a variety of problems reported by Coton owners in the Coton Community Health Survey.  Recently, a DNA test has been developed for Canine Multifocal Retinopathy.  This exciting development was reported in a series of articles in the March 2007 American Coton Quarterly, and you can also read about it here.  ACC breeders maintain a lifelong educational commitment to learning as much about the breed as possible.  It's always a good idea to ask the breeders you approach for puppies if they health test their dogs and what they can tell you about any potential problems in their lines.   Although "bad" dogs can come from good breeders, you should expect a healthy, long lived Coton if you carefully select your breeder.

How to choose:  ACC embraces all reputable breeders.  It's fine to breed specialty dogs bred to type for the show and you can find wonderful examples from the ACC breeders if showing is your hobby.  You can find Cotons of color if you like color in the breed.  You can find different phenotypes, from the snub nose, round face Cotons to the longer aristocratic faces reminiscent of earlier generations of the breed.  All ACC breeders, however, place an emphasis on health and temperament.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you need look no further than ACC to find the puppy of your dreams.

Coton Temperament:  The Coton de Tulear is an alert dog and naturally territorial.  You won't find a Coton sleeping on the threshold of an open front door while the burglar steps over the dog.  Cotons will bark at the doorbell to let you know something is happening.  They are highly intelligent and some love to watch TV, particularly Animal Planet, where they react to pleasant and unpleasant scenes in appropriate ways.  They have the delightful habit of barking at the sound of a doorbell coming from a TV program.  They will bark to let you know an intruder has entered the yard, whether it be a delivery person or a mailman.  They bark when it is necessary, but they generally are not yappy like some toy breeds (Cotons are full size dogs; they have not been bred down).  They adjust well to normal street and neighborhood sounds, and so are well adapted to urban living, even in an apartment or condominium.

As with all dogs, they must be thoroughly socialized at a young age to become good citizens.  Puppies go through periods of confidence as well as fear periods, when they are cautious of new experiences.  It is said that puppies are unafraid and open to new experiences until the age of 14 weeks.  During this time is is crucial to expose them to hundreds of different people on the street, in stores, at the park, etc. -- children in strollers and roller blades, riding skateboards, men with beards in uniform riding bicycles, women wearing floppy hats, anything and everything.  If they are exposed to new experiences in a positive way during this period they will be comfortable with them for life.  Similarly, this is the time to have parties in the home, to have dozens or hundreds of people over so the puppy will be comfortable with strangers in the home. It is essential that the puppy meet other dogs in a safe and controlled environment.  Puppy classes are a requirement for new owners, who should be prepared to spend a big investment in time and energy with the puppy to ensure a happy and social Coton for the next 15-17 years.

Cotons want to be with you all the time, wherever you go, even to the bathroom.  They generally love car rides and enjoy being taken into stores.  They are usually accepted in any store where food isn't sold, and can accompany you to restaurants where there is outdoor seating.  They thrive on attention from clerks and strangers.  You will attract a lot of favorable attention with a well mannered and groomed Coton accompanying you.

Coton de Tulear are companion dogs.  No dog thrives if left alone at home for long periods of time, for example, if the owner works 8 hours a day and spends another hour or two commuting.  Please think again about getting a puppy if you cannot be a companion for it. If you can meet the puppy's requirements, a well socialized Coton de Tulear puppy will enrich your life beyond measure.

Carol Antraccoli    
is the coordinator of the
 Sunday morning Crissy Field San Franciso playdates on the beach -- contact for information  
Dudett@pacbell.net
 

There is another case of canine xylitol poisoning in the news today.  A warning was issued in 2004 from the American Veterinary Medical Association  http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/sep04/040901c.asp

This was published in the American Coton Quarterly at the time and warrants mention again.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center is warning veterinarians, their staff, and pet owners that the xylitol—a sweetener found in some sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and other products can cause serious—possibly life-threatening problems for dogs.

Dogs ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may have a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures, according to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center. The center is most concerned about products in which xylitol is the primary ingredient.

"These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product," Dr. Dunayer said in a statement. "Therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately."

Some data suggest a link between xylitol ingestion and liver failure in dogs, he said, though those data are insufficient to draw firm conclusions.

Dr. Dunayer published a case study on xylitol toxicosis in the April 2004 issue of the journal Veterinary and Human Toxicology."

                                 Vaccination Protocols

July 18, 2005

Vaccination protocols for dogs have changed drastically in the last few years.  Dr. Schultz, DVM, of the University of Wisconsin is at the forefront in making dog owners aware of the dangers of over-vaccinating.  Many vaccines last for many years.  Here is the latest press release from the U. of Wisconsin in which Dr. Schultz tells why dog vaccines may not be necessary at http://www.news.wisc.edu/8413.html

The new vaccination protocols are making their way into the popular press.  Visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8572826/ for an article by dog writer Kim Campbell Thornton, who asks the question, "Still vaccinating your pet every year?  That may not be necessary and even harmful."

A comprehensive list of articles about the effects of vaccines can be found at   http://www.zbirdbrain.com/Vaccinate.htm

                           ACC Health Committee Formed

May, 2005

The ACC Health Committee has been formed, consisting of Cathy Regan, Gayle Geldermann and Diane Callison.  The Health Committee is conducting a survey to be completed by September, 2005 of all ACC breeders to determine what genetic diseases are deemed important enough to watch now and in the future.  At present there are 50-60 known genetic diseases or conditions in Cotons ranging from relatively benign to life threatening.  The incidence of any of these is relatively low in the breed, a few percent, but as the breed grows in numbers, it is time to increase our watchfulness.