Coton de Tuléar

The Coton de Tuléar is the result of an adaptation to the rigorous climatic conditions encountered on the island of Madagascar. This funny little dog has naturally adapted to the climate in order to protect himself from both heat and cold.

Truth or urban legend, a wonderful story relates his origins. Tuléar, Madagascar's port in the 16th century, was witness to many commercial exchanges at the time.

Europe, especially France, greatly benefited from this commercial position. One of the ships, that had three beautiful little female dogs, was attacked by pirates. Trésor, Bijou and Belle, the three pretty Bichon dogs, apparently survived the shipwreck.

They found themselves on the beach of Tuléar together with the fourth survivor of the shipwreck, the pirates' ratter. The pretty ladies and the pirates' ratter had together, many small balls of cotton on the beach of Tuléar and thus created the very pretty Coton de Tuléar.

Nice legend but this cute little dog could, more likely, have been crossed with local dogs. The Coton de Tuléar, as we know him today, is nevertheless the result of his adaptation to the island's harsh climate.

His superb fur has truly adapted to become his best protection to enable him to withstand all climate changes of this magnificent island located in the Indian Ocean.

Commercial relations between France and Madagascar still exist and this magnificent little hairy doggie was brought back in the luggage of the French and aroused the curiosity of all. The breed was thus recognized in 1970 and the Coton de Tuléar became a well defined breed.

There are not many of them left on the island of Madagascar nowadays because France is now the custodian of the breed and standard and has about 90% of the world's population.