Cotton Tulear
region Madagascar
cut 23 to 28cm
weight 3.5 to 6 kg (indicative)
hair very soft, supple, fluffy, dense and abundant
dress white background color. A few traces of light gray color (mixture of white hairs and black hairs) or auberized (mixture of white hairs and fawn hairs) are allowed on the ears.
head short, triangular top view
eyes rather round, dark, lively, set well apart; the edge of the eyelids is pigmented black or brown depending on the color of the nose
ear drooping, triangular, set high on the skull, thin at the tip; carried close to the cheeks, they reach the corner of the lips.
tail set low, in line with the spine
behaviour with a cheerful, stable character, very sociable with humans and with his congeners, he adapts perfectly to any lifestyle. The character of the Coton de Tulear is one of the main characteristics of the breed.
federation FCI nomenclature group 9, section 1, no 2
origins
The Coton de Tulear is a breed of dog. A legend tells us about the origins of this Coton de Tuléar. Like all legends, there is probably some truth to it. In the 16th century, Tuléar (Toliara), port of Madagascar was the starting point for many commercial exchanges with Europe and in particular France. During one of these trips, it is said that pirates attacked a boat where there was a very pretty woman accompanied by three little "puppies" Belle, Bijou and Trésor. This battle was very tough, a storm got the better of the ships, there were no survivors except the three little ladies and "Brigand", the pirate ratter. The very pretty young ladies and the "pirate" met on the beach of Tuléar, they were happy and had many little cottons! Perhaps the truth is a little different, the kinship with the bichon seems acquired and the coton owes its existence to crossbreeding with local dogs. Time has done its work, four centuries have passed, the little cottons that we know are the fruit of terrible natural selection linked to the difficult living conditions encountered on the island. He knew how to adapt by developing remarkable characteristics: He has an unfailing robustness, he is never sick. He is very cunning, lively, intelligent. Finally, its superb fur, initially the best protection against the night cold and the heat wave, is extraordinarily beautiful! Madagascar and France still maintain privileged relations. The French from Madagascar have brought back "in their luggage" these magnificent little white dogs that are so adorable. This aroused the curiosity of specialists, the recognition of this new breed took place in 1970, the Coton de Tuléar became a breed in its own right. From now on, there are not many cottons left in Madagascar, following the enormous traffic of the 80s (a baby bought for 500 F on the island was resold for up to 5000 F in France). France is the custodian of the breed standard, and has most (90%) of the finest specimens in the world.
temper
Of a cheerful, stable character, very sociable with humans and with his congeners, he adapts perfectly to any lifestyle. The character of the Coton de Tulear is one of the main characteristics of the breed.