Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear is a small companion dog associated with Madagascar, especially the port city of Tulear, now Toliara. It belongs to the bichon family of white-coated companion breeds and is recognized by its soft, cotton-like coat, dark expressive eyes, and cheerful, sturdy little body. Most are predominantly white, sometimes with light champagne, gray, or tan shading, and the breed's history is tied to island companion dogs kept by Malagasy households and later developed through European and North American breeding programs.

Cotons are usually indoor companion dogs that thrive on close human contact, play, and gentle training. Their coat does not feel like typical silky hair and can mat close to the skin, so regular brushing or a practical clipped trim is common for pets. Dental care, weight control, and screening for patellar luxation, eye disease, and inherited conditions are sensible buyer questions. Because they are social and often vocal when excited or left alone, early routines around grooming, handling, and short separations help them become easier household dogs.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, White and Champagne, White and Tan, Yellow