The Coton de Tulear (pronounced coe-TAWN day TULE-ee-r) is a new breed to the U.S.

Cotons are now officially recognized by AKC as Foundation Stock Service. They are believed to have originated on the island of Madagascar more than three centuries ago. They are members of the Bichon family (Bichon Frise, Havanese, Lowchen, Bolognese, and Maltese) and believed to have mixed with the island's terriers and Papillons. Cotons are born with either pink or black skin. They come in two base colors with those being either black or white. Accents include white, tri color, yellow or grey. Although their coats tend to turn lighter in color as they age, pigmentation in a puppy with color is superior to one born white. Breed standards state 9.5 to 13 inches at the withers and a weight of less than 18 pounds. Many of ours are in the 12 pound range. These dogs do not shed and have low dander, therefore are great for people with allergies.

Cotons are a unique breed. You will find their haircoat to be “one of a kind” – so cottony, silky soft with a real appeal. They are not barkers by nature. They are playful, love their toys, children, other animals and humans of all ages. They are intelligent and always willing to learn new tricks. For instance, climbing up a teeter totter, scaling the landscape timbers around a sandbox, going through a raised hula hoop, crawling through a child’s tunnel, dancing on hind legs, or taking a swim off of the beach are all within a day’s play schedule for a Coton.

The Coton De Tulear is a breed of interest to our family. As a relative of the Bichon Frises that we have raised many years ago, their look is similar. Our original Cotons were imported from the Ukraine, although we have since acquired Hungarian imports as well as American born lines. All have adjusted well and made themselves at home.

The AKC has begun to recognize Coton De Tulears. The foreign pedigrees of my parent dogs are being considered by AKC. The litters produced are a part of the AKC foundation stock program. Meaning that when three generations have been produced and documented here in the US that third generation will be eligible for registration when and if AKC decides to roll the Coton de Tulear from a FSS breed to a fully recognized AKC breed. Most of my parents were imported from the Ukraine or from Hungary and currently carry registrations with the ACA (American Canine Association), United Kennel Club (UKC) and the APR.With the purchase of a puppy, you will receive an AKC FSS registration as well as a UKC registration.

We love our mommies and daddies and am sure you will be thrilled to help their popularity increase – maybe you have already seen Barbra Striesand’s Coton in Oprah’s magazine, or Debra Messing’s in the People magazine, or perhaps the Coton perched on the boat in the latest boating magazine! All puppies are current on wormings and vaccinations. They each have an AVID microchip inserted between the shoulder blades for positive identification. Check this page weekly to see new babies as they become available.