The coton de tulear breed standardS
The MCPC follows the first breed standard recognized in the USA; the CTCA Breed Standard.
Today in the United States there are four different breed standards for the Coton de Tulear.
All of these breed standards have two main differences: color and size.
The CTCA standard recognizes three color variations without preference. The size is less than 13" in height and less than 18 lbs in weight. The CTCA also recognizes the Tall Coton with a height range between 14"-18" tall at the withers. This standard was written based on the Cotons found in Madagascar, referred to as "The Malagasy Coton de Tulear". The Coton de Tulear in Madagascar has never been an all white breed, it is a piebald breed. Piebald means having irregular patches of two colors. (a white color pattern on top of a base coat color, usually black, red or sable).
The FCI standard (recognized in 1970 and revised in 1987, 1995 and 1999) allows some black, or reddish brown hairs, mixed in with white on the ears only, if color is found on the body it can't distract from the over all white appearance and color on the body is not to be sought after.
The UKC standard (recognized in 1996 and revised in 2007) is similar to the FCI standard, but they went further in coat color description, they agree about the allowance of color on the ears, but in regards to body color, the UKC standard does not allow any black on the body and, if there's any color on the body, it can't be more than 10%. Again, body color is not sought after.
The AKC standard (created 2010) is really against color, black on the body is a disqualification at any age. For Cotons over 12 months of age they have a 5% allowance of tan color on the body and when competing at a dog show the all white Cotons are to be given preference.
The FCI and UKC standards for size are the same. Females: 9"-10" tall and 8 lbs-11 lbs. Males: 10"-11" tall and 9 lbs-13 lbs. The AKC standard is the same for height, but they differ in weight. Females: weight 8 lbs-13 lbs. Males: weight 9 lbs-15 lbs.
Today in the United States there are four different breed standards for the Coton de Tulear.
- The Coton de Tulear Club of America (CTCA) breed standard was created in 1974 by Dr. Robert Jay Russell, PhD who first introduced the Coton de Tulear to North America.
- The American Coton Club (ACC) recognizes the Fèdèration Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard, commonly known as the "European" breed standard developed in France.
- The United States of America Coton de Tulear Club (USACTC) is the parent club for the AKC and created the AKC breed standard.
- The North American Coton Association (NACA), follows the United Kennel Club (UKC) breed standard, recognized on January 1, 1996.
All of these breed standards have two main differences: color and size.
The CTCA standard recognizes three color variations without preference. The size is less than 13" in height and less than 18 lbs in weight. The CTCA also recognizes the Tall Coton with a height range between 14"-18" tall at the withers. This standard was written based on the Cotons found in Madagascar, referred to as "The Malagasy Coton de Tulear". The Coton de Tulear in Madagascar has never been an all white breed, it is a piebald breed. Piebald means having irregular patches of two colors. (a white color pattern on top of a base coat color, usually black, red or sable).
The FCI standard (recognized in 1970 and revised in 1987, 1995 and 1999) allows some black, or reddish brown hairs, mixed in with white on the ears only, if color is found on the body it can't distract from the over all white appearance and color on the body is not to be sought after.
The UKC standard (recognized in 1996 and revised in 2007) is similar to the FCI standard, but they went further in coat color description, they agree about the allowance of color on the ears, but in regards to body color, the UKC standard does not allow any black on the body and, if there's any color on the body, it can't be more than 10%. Again, body color is not sought after.
The AKC standard (created 2010) is really against color, black on the body is a disqualification at any age. For Cotons over 12 months of age they have a 5% allowance of tan color on the body and when competing at a dog show the all white Cotons are to be given preference.
The FCI and UKC standards for size are the same. Females: 9"-10" tall and 8 lbs-11 lbs. Males: 10"-11" tall and 9 lbs-13 lbs. The AKC standard is the same for height, but they differ in weight. Females: weight 8 lbs-13 lbs. Males: weight 9 lbs-15 lbs.
Our breed club, The Malagasy Coton de Tulear Preservation Club (MCPC) follows the CTCA standard, the oldest standard known in the North America.
A Standard is the description of an ideal representative of the breed. The CTCA standard, first published in 1974, is adapted from the original Malagasy breed type.
Brief Description of the Breed
The Coton de Tulear is a hearty, lively, small companion dog with a friendly, engaging personality. Calm and intelligent, the "Royal Dog of Madagascar" is characterized by its long, dry, cotton-like coat. There are three color varieties. The Coton is not a toy breed.
Head
Skull somewhat rounded with proportionate muzzle and slightly accentuated stop. Top-view, triangular. Tape measurement: muzzle to stop, 1.75-2.5" (4.5 to 6.4cm); stop to occiput, 4-5" (10.2 to 12.7 cm); total head length,6-7.25" (15.2 to 18.4 cm).
Eyes
Large, dark brown, sparkling, expressive, with dark eye rings.
Nose
Black and pronounced.
Lips
Black and finely featured.
Bite
Level or scissors; incisors should touch.
Ears
Dropped, 2.75"-3.75" (7 to 9.5 cm), covered with long flowing hair approximately 4-6.5" total length (10.2 to 16.5 cm).
Neck
Rather long, 4-6.25" (10.2 to 16 cm), strong but gracefully carried, head erect.
Body
Deep chest tapering slightly to abdomen. Ratio of thoracic to abdominal girth. 1.2-1.4 to 1. Topline (withers to base of tail) straight to somewhat convex, 12-16" long (30.5 to 40.6 cm). Height at withers less than 13" (33 cm). Body weight less than 18 lbs (8.2 Kg). Little or no sexual dimorphism, but males may appear more muscular than females.
Legs & Feet
Fore limbs mostly straight and strong. Hindquarters slightly angulate with well-muscled thighs. Feet small with black pads.
Tail
Carried straight or curled over dorsum (straight is preference), 5.5-8.5" long (14 to 12.7 cm); covered by flowing hair.
Coat
Long (4-6.5"; 10.2 to 16.5 cm), dry, "wind-tossed" flowing hair. Texture of cotton, not silky. Prominent beard and moustache. Well-haired limbs, tail and ears. Eyes may be obscured by hair which must not be scissored in show dogs, but may be trimmed for pets.
*Coloration
Three color varieties are recognized without preference.
Grooming
Well-brushed but not scissored. As for any long-haired breed, eyes and ears should be kept clean. The show dog's coat must be natural. Adulteration of the coat (e.g., powdering) is not permissible. Owners are encouraged to insure that hair is kept trimmed on the feet (between pads and toes), in the ears, and around the anus. Since few Cotons are shown, owners should consider trimming the hair that falls down over the eyes if it is apparent that the Coton's vision is impaired.
Movement
Free, balanced, effortless. Good reach in the forequarters and good drive in the hindquarters. Slight lateral roll at low speed. Legs move straight fore and aft along the line of travel; as speed increases, there is a slight convergence of legs toward the center line.
Faults
Undershot or overshot bite. Poor pigmentation. Body weight greater than 18 pounds (8.2 kg). **formerly: "Body weight greater than 15 pounds" -- revision 10/96 Height at withers greater than 13.0" (33 cm; NB: no revision has yet been adopted on the lower limits of the breed's linear dimensions, but such a limit is needed.)
**Disqualifications
Silky (oily) hair. Cryptorchidism. Eye color other than dark brown. Any trait that indicates unsound structure or poor health.
*The MCPC recognizes that the breed standard was established prior to DNA testing. Science now tells us that the Coton de Tulear is a piebald breed, with a white coat pattern placed on top of the base color. The breed also has a fading gene (not discovered yet) that will cause the intensity of color at birth to fade out as an adult. Blacks will fade to varying shades of gray, browns will fade to beige/champagne and reds will fade to cream/apricot/blush.
** The MCPC has added hernias as a disqualification for breeding purposes.
Brief Description of the Breed
The Coton de Tulear is a hearty, lively, small companion dog with a friendly, engaging personality. Calm and intelligent, the "Royal Dog of Madagascar" is characterized by its long, dry, cotton-like coat. There are three color varieties. The Coton is not a toy breed.
Head
Skull somewhat rounded with proportionate muzzle and slightly accentuated stop. Top-view, triangular. Tape measurement: muzzle to stop, 1.75-2.5" (4.5 to 6.4cm); stop to occiput, 4-5" (10.2 to 12.7 cm); total head length,6-7.25" (15.2 to 18.4 cm).
Eyes
Large, dark brown, sparkling, expressive, with dark eye rings.
Nose
Black and pronounced.
Lips
Black and finely featured.
Bite
Level or scissors; incisors should touch.
Ears
Dropped, 2.75"-3.75" (7 to 9.5 cm), covered with long flowing hair approximately 4-6.5" total length (10.2 to 16.5 cm).
Neck
Rather long, 4-6.25" (10.2 to 16 cm), strong but gracefully carried, head erect.
Body
Deep chest tapering slightly to abdomen. Ratio of thoracic to abdominal girth. 1.2-1.4 to 1. Topline (withers to base of tail) straight to somewhat convex, 12-16" long (30.5 to 40.6 cm). Height at withers less than 13" (33 cm). Body weight less than 18 lbs (8.2 Kg). Little or no sexual dimorphism, but males may appear more muscular than females.
Legs & Feet
Fore limbs mostly straight and strong. Hindquarters slightly angulate with well-muscled thighs. Feet small with black pads.
Tail
Carried straight or curled over dorsum (straight is preference), 5.5-8.5" long (14 to 12.7 cm); covered by flowing hair.
Coat
Long (4-6.5"; 10.2 to 16.5 cm), dry, "wind-tossed" flowing hair. Texture of cotton, not silky. Prominent beard and moustache. Well-haired limbs, tail and ears. Eyes may be obscured by hair which must not be scissored in show dogs, but may be trimmed for pets.
*Coloration
Three color varieties are recognized without preference.
- White: all white, often with champagne (cream-biscuit) highlights on ears and dorsum.
- Black-and-White: pure white with prominent black patches on head and body. No restriction on the ratio of white-to-black.
- Tri-Color: mostly white and cream, but tinged with beige areas; black hairs dust portions of the ears and sometimes the body and head. Tri-colors are usually heavily marked as neonates and juveniles, but as the adult coat appears, these Cotons may appear almost white.
Grooming
Well-brushed but not scissored. As for any long-haired breed, eyes and ears should be kept clean. The show dog's coat must be natural. Adulteration of the coat (e.g., powdering) is not permissible. Owners are encouraged to insure that hair is kept trimmed on the feet (between pads and toes), in the ears, and around the anus. Since few Cotons are shown, owners should consider trimming the hair that falls down over the eyes if it is apparent that the Coton's vision is impaired.
Movement
Free, balanced, effortless. Good reach in the forequarters and good drive in the hindquarters. Slight lateral roll at low speed. Legs move straight fore and aft along the line of travel; as speed increases, there is a slight convergence of legs toward the center line.
Faults
Undershot or overshot bite. Poor pigmentation. Body weight greater than 18 pounds (8.2 kg). **formerly: "Body weight greater than 15 pounds" -- revision 10/96 Height at withers greater than 13.0" (33 cm; NB: no revision has yet been adopted on the lower limits of the breed's linear dimensions, but such a limit is needed.)
**Disqualifications
Silky (oily) hair. Cryptorchidism. Eye color other than dark brown. Any trait that indicates unsound structure or poor health.
*The MCPC recognizes that the breed standard was established prior to DNA testing. Science now tells us that the Coton de Tulear is a piebald breed, with a white coat pattern placed on top of the base color. The breed also has a fading gene (not discovered yet) that will cause the intensity of color at birth to fade out as an adult. Blacks will fade to varying shades of gray, browns will fade to beige/champagne and reds will fade to cream/apricot/blush.
** The MCPC has added hernias as a disqualification for breeding purposes.