Simply Grand Cotons












The Coton is a small companion dog, ranging in weight from 8 to 15 pounds as adults. Lively and affectionate, these small family dogs love to romp and play, but can appreciate a good nap as well. They are good companions for gentle, responsible children.

Cotons are quite intelligent and easily trained. They form extremely strong bonds, and are eager to delight their owners with their clownish antics. Because of their happy and affectionate personality, the Coton is often referred to as "The Anti-Stress Dog". With relatively few known genetic or hereditary illnesses, Cotons generally live a very healthy and long life, often in excess of 15 years.

The word "Coton" in the breed name "Coton de Tulear" is French meaning cotton. The Coton's coat is a unique cottony, soft coat, about 3 to 5 inches in length, and does not possess that "doggy odor" when wet.

Daily brushing is recommended to keep the coat beautiful and free of tangles. Adult Cotons are completely white, or white with subtle shadings of champagne color or gray, especially on the ears. Young puppies will often sport darker colored patches, which should lighten with maturity. The Coton de Tulear's dark, expressive eyes are rimmed in black, and together with the black nose and lips, convey a striking appearance.

The Coton should live exclusively in the family's home. This dog loves to frolic outdoors and is quite agile, but should never be left outdoors unsupervised. While the Coton is first and foremost a family companion, many also enjoy obedience, agility, and conformation competition. Some even become therapy dogs.

While there are many versions of how the Coton de Tulear came to be, the one thing that is known for certain is that Madagascar is its country of origin. The breed is said to have evolved in Madagascar from small Bichon-like dogs that sometimes accompanied European sea merchants sailing the West Indies and the Indian Ocean.

The sea merchants often visited the trading port of Tulear in Madagascar during the 16th century. Their little European canine companions are believed to have intermingled with a variety of native Malagasy dogs for the next few hundred years, finally evolving into the Coton de Tulear. It has been said that a Coton de Tulear was presented to Malagasy royals as a gift.

The Coton was decreed the Royal Dog of Madagascar and could only be owned by nobility. The breed was brought back to Europe in the 20th century making its debut in the United States in the 1970's.


Madame Butterfly "Geisha", is the proud foundation female for Simply Grand's breeding program. Geisha is now enjoying her retirement in Colorado!





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the Breed Standard
Copyright 2000-2023, Marilyn Smart, Simply Grand Cotons.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Coton de Tulear.