Coton de Tuléar — size comparison

The Coton de Tuléar is a small dog with a soft, predominantly white coat that feels like cotton. It has a slightly elongated body, drooping ears and dark eyes clearly visible against the pale hair. Its coat is abundant but differs in texture from the Maltese's silky hair. It moves lightly and readily raises its feathered tail when animated.

The breed developed on Madagascar as a companion dog. Its name combines the French word for cotton with the port city of Tuléar, now called Toliara. Stories about its ancestors' arrival on the island cannot always be precisely confirmed. Later breeding is better documented: dogs reached France before official breed recognition in 1970 and spread farther from there.

The Coton is usually cheerful and readily makes contact with both people and familiar dogs. It likes shared activities, quickly responds to invitations to play and can invent ways to attract attention. It can be affectionate with those close to it, readily alternating activity with quiet rest. Its behaviour often shows ease and a clear interest in household members' activities.

Measurement sources

• Wzorzec, wysokość i masa — FCI
• AKC — długość życia, pielęgnacja i historia