BBS Breed Spotlight: Coton de Tulear
A walking cotton puff, literally. The French word for cotton paired with the town in Madagascar where the dog originates, Tulear, gives you the name of the living cotton puff—the Coton de Tulear. Read more about this adorable little bright and cheery puff on the BestBullySticks.com Breed Spotlight!
History & Background: A native of Madagascar, the Coton de Tulear is thought to the be descendant of the Coton de Reunion. This dog was said to have gotten Madagascar by swimming to shore from a shipwreck. The modern Coton was the offspring of the Coton de Reunion breeding with local terriers on the island. In the 17th century, a tribal monarchy called the Merina, controlled the lives of these dogs because they were seen as so special in the eyes of the island people. Coastal tribesmen and non-noblemen were forbidden to own the Coton and the dog quickly became known as the “Royal Dog of Madagascar.” When the French came to colonize the island, they kept the same elitist rules for the Coton. When hard times came to Madagascar in the 1970s, Dr. Robert Jay Russell, a biologist studying lemurs on the island, sent Cotons back to America. Since, Cotons have been gaining in popularity even though they are still seen as a rare breed. In 1996, the AKC recognized the Coton de Tulear in their Foundation Stock Service breeds.
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 12 to 15 pounds Read more
