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Appearance, Care And History Of Coton De Tulears Puppies

29 11:25:00
Coton De Tulears are a small, adorable and lovable breed. They are very rewarding to keep and raise. There are many Coton De Tulear breeders to purchase a puppy or adult dog from and there are several dog clubs and websites that provide a wealth of information. Here is a brief overview of the appearance, general health and history of Coton De Tulears.

The French word Coton means cotton, hence the name Coton De Tulears. These dogs are often compared to a cotton ball because of their long, soft coat. Despite the abundant coat, these dogs are wonderful for people with allergies. They do not shed and have low amounts of dander.

Coton De Tulears puppies come in three colors: white, occasionally with tan spots, black and white and tricolor. They have a large black nose, large dark eyes and short legs. The tail curls over the back much like that of a Pomeranian or Shih-Tzu. They have broad chests and moderately arched but strong backs.

These dogs stay relatively small. Females range between 7.7 and 11 pounds and the males are generally between 8.8 to 13 pounds. Both males and females reach a height of between 9 and 13 inches.

Coton De Tulears are noted for their loving and playful attitudes. They are very intelligent, curious and eager to please. Although they love to swim, run and play, they are generally quiet dogs. They tend to be more active in the evenings, they are good with children and other pets and they adapt well to their surroundings.

Because of their long coats, Coton De Tulears puppies require brushing almost every day. As with most dogs, they should be bathed once a week to maintain a clean and healthy coat. They should be provided with short walks or playtime daily and they have the stamina to enjoy longer hikes. Coton De Tulears have a long life span of up to 14 to 20 years. They are a typically healthy breed but as with most breeds, there are some health concerns that can arise. Although uncommon, Coton De Tulears can suffer from heart problems, liver shunts and problems with the back and eyes. Due to rarity and inbreeding, these dogs can have genetic abnormalities but there are an increasing number of Coton De Tulear breeders working to widen the gene pool.

Coton De Tulears originally hail from Madagascar and they remain the island's national dog. Their ancestors are thought to have arrived in Madagascar between the 16th and 17th centuries aboard pirate ships. It is unknown whether these dogs were companions on the pirate ships or if they were taken as booty. They were first recognized as a breed in 1970 by the French National Kennel Club and have since been recognized by many clubs and breeders around the world.