Coton de Tulear’s originally come from Madagascar. They are known as “The Royal Dog of Madagascar.” These dogs are loving, playful, and enjoy following their owner around.
Coat: This is one of the main characteristics of the breed from which its very name derives. The coat is very soft and supple, with the texture of cotton. It is never hard or rough. The coat is dense, profuse and can be very slightly wavy.
Color: Coat color is white. On the ears – A few slight shadings of light grey (mixture of white and black hairs) or of light tan (mixture of white and light tan hairs) are permitted on the ears. These shadings are only tolerated but are not desirable. Exception – Ears are not considered when applying the excess of 5 percent color to the body as a serious fault. On the body – Light tan shadings (mixture of white and light tan hairs) are permitted on 5 percent of the body of an adult Coton over 12 months of age. These light tan shadings may appear in one area of the coat or scattered throughout the coat. These shadings should never be so intense or deep in color or be so heavily marked on the coat that they alter the overall appearance of a white coat. When all other considerations are equal, the judge should give preference to the dog whose coat has the most amount of white. Severe Fault- Any color, except 5 percent of light tan (mixture of white and light tan hair) appearing in one area of the coat or scattered throughout the coat is a severe fault in an adult Coton over 12 months of age. Exception: Puppy Color – does not apply to puppies with color under 12 months of age. Puppies with color under 12 months of age may have the acceptable colors of light tan, light brown, dark brown, chestnut or grey on the body and head. These colors have the potential to fade to the acceptable 5 percent allowance by one year of age and should not be penalized. Disqualification – Black on the body is a disqualification at any age.
