Coton de Tulear Puppy Dog Care Information

Photo of an attractive
Coton de Tulear puppy dog

Coton de Tulear Health Information:

Like any purebred breed of dog, the Coton de Tulear can be subject to a variety of health concerns, even more so because of the Coton's small gene pool. Many unethical breeders claim that they raise Coton de Tulear dogs but actually don't and others raise the Coton in a puppy mill situation. To ensure your puppy is healthy, always buy from a reputable breeder. Some of the health problems that can affect Coton include:

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Neo-natal ataxia (Bandera’s Syndrome)

Coton de Tulear Exercise Information:

The Coton de Tulear is generally a fairly low-maintenance individual, when it comes to exercise requirements. Usually a good walk or a visit to the dog park will do him nicely, or he is more than willing to run off any excess energy with an engaging game of fetch in the back yard. Fortunately, with the Coton’s short legs, it doesn’t take very long before he’s worn out and, when the weather is too hot, chances are he won’t bother you to go out for a long run.

Coton de Tulear Grooming Needs:

Few Coton de Tulear dogs are ever shown, so the general tendency to shear our longhaired dogs is in affect with the Coton as well. At the very least, the Coton's hair should be trimmed between the pads and toes of his feet, in his ears, and around his anus; this will help keep him cleaner and more healthy. Many pet Cotons also have the hair trimmed back away from their eyes, so as not to affect their vision.

The show Coton is to be exhibited with a full, flowing coat, and is not allowed to be altered in any fashion (such as the practice of powdering the coats). His coat will require a couple of weekly brushings but he should never be scissored if he is to be shown.

Aside from this, the only other major grooming needs that a Coton de Tulear requires are the occasional trip to the doggy salon for a trim, keeping his nails clipped, his ears clean and, if he will let you, his teeth brushed. Bathing should not be overdone - limit it to once or twice a month and ensure all tangles are out of your pet’s coat before starting.