Coton De Tulear

Feed a complete dog food matched to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. How much your Coton needs each day depends on the type and brand of food, plus the dog's health history, age, and current and target weight. The food packaging gives basic portion guidance, and your veterinarian can refine it.

A typical feeding rhythm looks like this:

• Puppies: three or four meals a day on a regular schedule
• Adults: twice daily, morning and evening

Some Cotons gain weight easily, so watch calorie intake and body condition. Calories add up fast for such a little dog. Treats help with training, but keep them under 10 percent of daily calories, give table scraps sparingly if at all, and avoid cooked bones and high-fat foods. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not, and check with your veterinarian about any weight or diet concerns.

A Coton eating a food that meets recognized nutritional standards should get everything it needs, though your veterinarian may still suggest supplements. Breed-club guidance points to probiotics and enzymes to support digestion, plus fish oil to help maintain that soft, cotton-ball coat. Senior Cotons can benefit from joint supplements containing glucosamine. Never start a supplement without talking to your veterinarian first.

Start grooming early so the puppy becomes comfortable with the routine. Unless you keep your dog in a short puppy clip, the long coat needs a great deal of brushing to lift dirt and prevent tangles and mats. Plan on brushing three to four times per week.

The hair can reach 4 to 6 inches long, and a pin brush is the right tool. Brush gently all the way to the skin, since hair next to the skin mats if you skip it, and severe matting can mean shaving the dog down. A spray-on conditioner or detangler helps prevent breakage and lets a comb glide through. Matting troubles the area behind the ears, the legs, and the elbows most.

Check the ears at least once a week for signs of infection, and clear excess hair, wax, or debris. Trim any hair growing inside the ear cavity, and use ear wipes to keep dirt and wax down. Regular nail trims are also necessary.

The Coton benefits from regular dental care. Start brushing the teeth at home while the dog is young, and ask your veterinarian about professional cleanings to keep the mouth healthy for life.

Cotons rarely need special skin care beyond a monthly bath, though you should check the skin regularly for dryness or other changes. The white coat develops tear stains easily, so wash the face routinely with lukewarm water or use an eye wipe to reduce staining. If anything looks unusual, talk to your veterinarian.

The Coton is a fairly active dog that needs a moderate amount of exercise. Daily walks at an easy pace keep it in good condition and weight. Because of its small size, short walks work better than long hikes, and its small frame suits apartments and houses alike.

Chasing a tennis ball around the yard works its body and its mind. A bored, unhappy Coton can turn destructive, so it does best with enough exercise, steady attention from its people, and interesting toys to keep it occupied.

These are playful, clown-like dogs that want to interact with their people, so join the games rather than leaving them to entertain themselves. Cotons need frequent interaction and suit households where they can accompany their owners. Provide daily one-on-one play and company.

Socialize your Coton well from an early age so it enjoys going wherever you go. Expose puppies to a range of places, people, and experiences so they grow into confident, well-adjusted adults. Cotons are friendly and adaptable but tend to bark at strange noises or sudden movements; with training and early socialization, your Coton learns that every passing person is not a cause for concern.

High intelligence and a desire to entertain make the Coton a natural at learning new tricks, and these people-pleasers are relatively easy to train. The breed responds poorly to negative methods but excels in most dog sports when trained with positive ones, doing well in agility and obedience and making strong therapy dogs. Choose activities that allow for bonding, such as competitive obedience or agility classes.

Keep sessions lively, short, and game-like, since a bored Coton learns nothing and military-style drills will not work; their curious minds need variety and fun. Use positive, reward-based training to build a confident, well-mannered dog.

The Coton gets along with every member of the family, on two legs or four, including children and other pets, especially when introductions are handled properly. Cotons can develop separation anxiety when left alone for more than a few hours, so they suit homes where long periods alone are uncommon.