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Hound Handbook
Breed profile

Coton de Tulear

Cotton-coated companion from Madagascar. Cheerful, clingy and barely sheds, but that coat needs a comb through it every day.

A full-coated white Coton de Tulear sitting on sunlit grass, head turned to the left, hair tied up off its eyes.
A Coton de Tulear in full coatPhoto: Sbrandner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
3.5–8 kg8–18 lb
Height
22–30 cm9–12 in
Lifespan
13–16 yrs
Group
Toy / Non-Sporting
Origin
Madagascar
Popularity
#79 US#119 UK · 2025

Known for: Flat-friendlyLow sheddingLap dogsFamily dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Cheerful, Affectionate, Playful, People-oriented.

Health problems to know about

  • Patellar luxation
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Canine multifocal retinopathy (CMR2, DNA test)
  • Neonatal ataxia (DNA test)

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Brush and comb down to the skin every day or mats form fast; plenty of owners keep a shorter pet trim. Around 30 minutes of walks and play a day. Wipe tear stains and check the ears weekly.

A good fit for

Flats and smaller homes, families with gentle kids, people who are home a lot and like being followed from room to room.

Probably not ideal for

People out for long hours (separation anxiety is common), anyone who won't groom daily, anyone expecting an allergy-free dog.

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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