A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE COTON DE TULEAR
Meet the royal dog of Madagascar, the Coton de tulear. The Coton de Tulear is a rare member of the Bichon family. The Coton is named after the port city of Tulear in Madagascar, and for its soft, beautiful mostly white coton like coat. The French word coton translates into the English word cotton. This coat makes the breed very special, and stand out from any other breed.
It is said that the cotons ancestors were most likely brought to the country by Indian troopers who went to the many ports of Madagascar. The travelers often had small dogs of Bichon type with them. The Coton de Tulear is said to have evolved from these dogs, and other breeds on the islands. In the 17th century, only royals were allowed to have the Royal dog. Today, on the island it is still mainly the rich that keep the Coton de Tulear. The royal dog is proudly displayed on stamps in Madagascar.
The first Cotons arrived in The United States in 1974. When I purchased my first Coton De Tulear, I was told I had one of the first 500 Cotons in The United States. We fell head over heals for this wonderful breed, and have enjoyed every moment with them since.