Coton de Tulear: description, advantages and disadvantages, nuances of care

Coton de Tulear is a breed that is small in size. These dogs are not very common in our country, it is quite difficult to find breeders.

The breed was bred in Madagascar, and it is still the real pride of local breeders.

The dog is incredibly pretty, evokes aesthetically pleasing feelings, miniature, with a cheerful, fervent disposition. She is loved not only for her outward beauty, but also for her sociable character, quick wits and loyalty.

The Coton de Tulear breed is another name for the Madagascar Bichon, which is associated with the snow-white cotton of those parts. The breed is quite ancient, but there is no exact information about the origin, the first records date back to the end of the XVI century.

Once upon a time, keeping such a dog was tantamount to demonstrating success and security, and keeping ordinary Bichon was simply forbidden to ordinary people. At the end of the XIX century, the selection process begins with Maltese, Bolognese, as a result of which a very nice animal was obtained. The official registration of the breed was recorded in 1971, but the standard of appearance once again underwent changes.

This miniature breed has several varieties. As for the standard parameters, they are represented by the following numbers:

• the growth of males varies from 25 to 30 cm, females - from 20 to 26 cm;
• body weight of males - from 4.5 to 6 kg, females - from 3.5 to 5 kg.

Characteristics of the appearance of the breed Coton de Tulear:

• strong build;
• the muscles are well developed;
• physique harmonious, proportional, type slightly elongated;
• medium-sized head, triangular in shape;
• the muzzle is slightly shortened, the transition from the nose to the forehead is not pronounced;
• eyes are large, round, widely spaced, dark;
• ears are small, set high, hanging;
• squat, similar to dachshunds;
• the neck is not too wide, the muscles are strong, the back is extended;
• the stomach does not hang;
• limbs shortened, powerful, parallel spaced, direct type;
• paws are small, round;
• the tail in shape resembles a saber, at the base it is thicker than at the end, length up to 17 cm.

The main feature of Madagascar Bichon is wool. By type, it is very thick, fluffy, very smooth to the touch, soft. It can be compared with cotton, due to its airiness, light medium-sized undulation.

This spectacular coat of snow-white color is similar to fur and makes an amazing impression. As for the suit, the standard permits only one variation: boiled-white color.

Any shades, reflections in the main color are not allowed, except for small blotches in the area of ​​the ears, they can be smoky or blue. Short hair is discarded.

Like any other breed, Madagascar Bichon has its advantages and disadvantages.

The main advantages that canine experts note are as follows:

• kindness and friendly attitude towards people and animals;
• good immunity, health is stronger than that of most small breeds;
• well trained, easy to train;
• active and energetic, like outdoor games, but they do not need a long walk;
• moderate molt;
• lack of unpleasant odors.

There are some drawbacks, they should be considered before the acquisition. As a rule, this is the difficulty of caring for a spectacular cat hair.

Among the shortcomings are noted such:

• snow-white dogs are very easily dirty, dusty;
• since the wool is of an elongated type, it turns into tangles, tangles;
• everything immediately sticks to the coat;
• constant and rather gentle care is required to make the pet look beautiful, if not provided, untidy appearance is guaranteed;
• untidy hair leads to a number of serious diseases of an infectious type;
• Koton barking is too piercing;
• if the dog is not raised, it is completely uncontrollable, socialization that is not carried out in time will lead to aggressiveness.

Tulears are, by character, companions of man, and great friends are made of them.

Cotons love to bark, so they talk to the world, they’ll have to put up with it, especially if you started an active game. Due to its qualities, such a dog will fit perfectly into a family with children, they are great animators, enjoy playing with a child.

If he feels tired, he won’t get angry, he won’t growl, he will just run away and hide.

Since the breed is quite fragile, you should not allow the child to play with the puppy uncontrollably. Tulear gets along well with other animals, cats.

He is quite smart and quick-witted, very efficient. Therefore, she can train tirelessly, she will be happy to learn new places.

As for strangers, Koton will not show aggression, but he will be on his guard, he is not too trusting.

This breed is very polite, unpleasant. It requires socialization and education from an early age.

Dog nutrition should be balanced, it is the key to well-being and health.

It is very important to properly organize feeding, which will be nutritious and beneficial.

They already have all the necessary substances, as well as a complex of vitamins and minerals. Cotons are usually not obese, but portion control is still necessary.

If you decide to feed the dog with natural products, you should make a diet of the following products:

• lean meats (beef, veal, rabbit, turkey, chicken), pitted, veins;
• cereals: buckwheat, oats and others;
• sea ​​fish, peeled;
• weekly eggs;
• vegetable fat;
• low-fat sour milk, cottage cheese, cheese;
• fruits and vegetables by season;
• greens;
• offal;
• vitamin and mineral complex, bone meal.

Under the categorical prohibition:

• food from your table;
• salted and peppered, seasoned with spices;
• sweet, flour, pastries;
• tubular bones and all chicken;
• plum, grapes, legumes, potatoes;
• pasta;
• pearl barley;
• river type fish.

It is easier and more convenient to organize a meal with a ready-made feed, so you will be sure that the proportions of nutrients are kept in the right amount.

In addition, they do not require cooking.

The daily portion is divided into equal parts.

It has already been mentioned that caring for koton wool is a painstaking, thorough matter, requiring regularity. A snow-white fur coat is the dog’s pride, and it should be in perfect order.

Hygiene procedures are mandatory.

• Dogs of this breed need to be combed daily, and twice a year (during the molting period) to use for this purpose slicker. The process of combing should be performed as carefully as possible.
• Preventive treatment is regularly carried out against parasites, both external and internal.
• A dog can be sheared if you do not plan to participate in exhibition forums. In this case, the length remains natural without model-type haircuts.
• It is enough to collect strands in the forehead in the tail, cut it so that they do not get into the eyes and do not get too dirty.
• You should buy a dog clothes for the winter and off-season. She will protect her from the cold and dirt when walking.
• Water procedures are carried out as necessary, only special means for bathing are used. Water should be warm.
• Dogs of this breed love water, willingly bathe and swim, after swimming, rinse the dog under the tap.
• After water procedures, it is necessary to apply special balms.
• In the formation of tasters, they should be treated with balsam and disassembled by hand.
• Periodically clean your auricles using sticks and discs, this must be done very carefully. Ears are examined daily for inflammation, redness.
• Eyes are rubbed twice a week, for this they moisten a cotton pad with a special tool from a veterinary pharmacy.
• The teeth are cleaned with a brush and a special paste, you also need to buy fluoride bones for your dog.
• The claws are trimmed as necessary with a nail clipper, using ordinary scissors is by no means possible. In addition, puppies are taught to this procedure from the first days of life.
• According to the schedule, vaccination must be carried out in a timely manner, twice a year, the animal must be shown to the veterinarian.
• You need to walk the dog twice a day, walking too long is not required, but it is necessary to play and run freely.

Caring for a dog is not only to maintain a beautiful appearance, but also to monitor its health.

The coat is considered minimally annoying in this regard, especially if it is properly managed.

The dog's health is quite good, but the following problems may occur:

• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• allergy;
• problems with the liver, eyes, musculoskeletal system;
• urolithiasis disease.

In order to prevent illnesses or catch them at an early stage, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the pet and show it to the doctor on time, take good care of it.

Dogs have a lifespan of up to 16 years.

As soon as the puppy reaches two months of age, they begin to raise him.

It is necessary to teach the baby:

• respond to a name;
• know your home;
• wear a collar and walk on a leash;
• Do not be afraid of loud sound, strangers, animals, places where there are many people, noisy, roads.

After the puppy adapts to all of the above points, you can start training, the simplest teams.

Gradually, as you study, you should move on to more complex tricks.

By the year the dog is quite capable of learning the commands: “Place”, “lying”, “sitting”, “fu”.

Training requires consistency, patience, a strict but calm attitude.

Cotons are very smart they are able to perceive well the reward system, affection.

Dogs feel great about the owner’s mood, so with a bad mood it’s better not to start training.

Expressing discontent, humiliation act badly on the dog. If she doesn’t understand something, you just need to explain it again. Already at 4 months, the baby can be sent to a general training course. Dogs willingly participate in various competitions, although the number of such events is limited due to the small size of the dog.

Be careful with the acquisition of tweeters - the dog will bark at them constantly.

You can learn more about this dog breed from the video.