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Cotons
are FUN! They love to play, meet new people and worship their
owners. They will adore your children and your grandparents.
Many Cotons are trained as therapy dogs to visit nursing homes,
sit on laps and provide unending adoration. While that may
sound a bit sedate, do not be fooled. When appropriate, Cotons
will show unending stamina for playing. While they are a small
dog, they are incredibly sturdy and muscular. Cotons are highly
intelligent and intuitive. Trust me; do not try to sneak a
new toy or treat into the house. It won’t happen. You will
be found out before you get the package to the kitchen table.
Do not get the leash out of the drawer until you are ready
to leave because your Coton will already be at the front door
waiting for you.
The
Coton de Tuléar is a clown and plays to the crowd, walking
on his hind legs, sitting up like a teddy bear with legs out
in front of himself and would you believe it, the Coton talks
and smiles when happy!
Cotons
have dark brown, round well space eyes, rimmed in black, that
sparkle with expression. Cotons have a medium length muzzle
with a black nose. Their lips are thin, also rimmed with black.
The ears are dropped, thick, triangular and covered with long
hair. The Coton averages between 10 - 12.5 inches in height
and between 9 - 13 pounds in weight. The Coton de Tuléar has
a slightly curved topline, which in part differentiates them
from other members of the Bichon family.
The
coat of the Coton is very thick, long and soft as cotton,
(Coton is French for cotton). The amount of care given to
the coat will reduce matting that typically occurs between
9 to 15 months when the adult coat is coming in. Gentle brushing
3-4 times a week will usually prevent any matting. Although
their coloring is predominantly white, champagne and white
and also tricolor exist. When the Coton becomes an adult,
the color usually disappears and they become all white.
The
majority of Coton de Tuléars are predominantly white although
some have colored markings. The Coton is unique in that sometimes
when the puppies are born they possess heavily colored markings.
These markings normally fade with maturity, quite often to
white. The average lifespan of the Coton is 15-16 years. The
Coton earned his name from its unique cotton-like hair. The
hair is long, dry and soft to the touch, oil and dander free
and has no doggy odor. The Coton is a non-shedding and hypoallergenic.
If you have allergies, this is the companion for you.
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