Sweet and cuddly with a clownish personality, the Coton de Tulear dog breed is always up for a good time. This clever little dog with the cottony coat originates from Madagascar and is related to the Bichon Frise and the Maltese.

This small, long-haired dog was never bred to be anything but a companion, and to this day that is what he does best. He bows his head thoughtfully when addressed and will even try to answer back.

History

The large island of Madagascar, located off the south-east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, is home to many unusual creatures, but one of them has become a favourite export throughout the world: the soft and shaggy Coton de Tulear, a member of the Bichon family who probably came to Madagascar several hundred years ago.

It is said that the little white dogs accompanied the ladies on long sea voyages or were used as rat-catchers on ships. It is also said that the dogs washed up on Madagascar as the sole survivors of a shipwreck.

However they arrived, they soon established themselves there. Some of the dogs became pets at the royal court and in wealthy Madagascar households, while others became strays.

It was not until sometime in the 1970s, however, that a Frenchman visiting the island brought some Cotons back to France and worked to establish them as a breed. Cotons were brought to North America in the same decade.

The Coton de Tulear is still found in its native land, but its sweet personality has made it loved all over the world.

Personality

The cheerful and boisterous Coton is a people pleaser that loves nothing more than spending time with its people. He forms a strong bond with his family members and does not like to be separated from them.

He is smart and easy to train, and responds well to compliments, play and food rewards. He plays the clown for attention, which he loves. Cotons may bark once or twice when the doorbell rings or when they see something interesting, but they generally do not bark for fun. Both guests and intruders run the risk of being licked.