The Malagasy coton de tulear preservation club promise

The Malagasy Coton de Tulear Preservation Club (MCPC) was created to ensure that there would be a supportive club of breeders in place for future generations that recognize the established CTCA breed standard.  The MCPC strives to protect the Malagasy Coton de Tulear by enhancing the health, longevity and temperament of our rare breed through breeder mentoring, sharing of health data and utilizing new technologies of DNA genotyping and analysis.  The MCPC is a non-profit group of breeders with a board of directors that will maintain and keep current a club website, maintain a health and pedigree database, provide timely registrations for MCPC breeders and puppy owners and provide educational tools for breeders. 

General conduct and care

The MCPC Code of Ethics clarifies what our organization considers to be excellence in breeding practices for the Malagasy Coton de Tulear. MCPC Breeders agree to the following:

• To support, in word and in action, the MCPC Code of Ethics including registry rules and regulations.
• Will be active in the MCPC community and will actively promote the MCPC and its logo in all advertising; including breeder website, Facebook and other social media platforms.
• Will continue to educate oneself in our breed, genetics, health, and structure including puppy rearing and socializing.  Will take advantage of the MCPC education program which will be available through online meetings, podcasts, webinars or videos via our website and/or other social media outlets.
• Acknowledges that new breeders are our future and that assisting in mentoring is the responsibility of all members of our community.
• Understanding that our dogs and puppies will be kept in sanitary conditions, with adequate food, water and training and keeping them in the best of health is the responsibility of a reputable and responsible breeder.
• Will only breed the Malagasy Coton de Tulear and no other small breeds. 

Records and Registrations

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• MCPC New Breeder Processing Fee.
  • There is a $100 processing fee, (this is a one-time only fee) for MCPC breeders. This fee will cover inclusion to our registration database and an official MCPC registration certificate for each actively breeding Malagasy Coton registered at the time of joining the MCPC. This fee also covers the setup for inclusion on the MCPC Breeder Listing website page. It is understood that MCPC Breeders will only belong to the MCPC and no other Coton de Tulear Breed Clubs. Although MCPC breeders may dual register litters if parents have both MCPC and UKC and/or FCI registrations.
• ​Breeders must register all of their puppies with the MCPC using the online Litter & Puppy Registration forms that are provided on the MCPC "Breeders Only" web page.​
  • Breeders will maintain complete and accurate records of the mating, whelp and sale of puppies.  The required record-keeping information can be found on the MCPC litter & puppy registration forms.
  • Litters must be registered within 5 months of the litter's whelp or 4 weeks after the last puppy leaves the breeder's home, whichever event occurs first.
  • Each breeder must make the best effort to judge puppies as to breedable status. If needed, they will seek the help of their mentor and/or the MCPC board in making that judgement.
  • Registration fees of $25 per puppy will be due at the time the online Litter Registration form is submitted to the MCPC. This registration fee applies to both "Companion Pet Only" (CP) and "Potentially Breedable" (PB) puppies.
  • Breeders have the option for the MCPC to mail registrations directly to the owner or to mail the registrations to the breeder to distribute after breeder has received a spay/neuter certificate from owner.
• Registration of a "Potentially Breedable" Coton
  • After a MCPC registered Coton has passed its one-year health testing requirements and the board has approved the dog for inclusion into the club's breeding program, the owner of the dog must submit a registration request to change the status from "Potentially Breedable" to "Breedable."
  • A fee of $25 will be due from the owner at the time the registration change is requested.
• Request to reissue a lost registration or to record an ownership change
  • Requires approval from the breeder and a service fee of $25 paid by the owner on record of the MCPC registered Coton. 

Breeding and health

The breeding goal of all MCPC breeders is to preserve the genetic diversity of the Malagasy Coton de Tulear. We strongly support genetic health testing and DNA analysis for both the sire and the dam, along with careful consideration of how the mating will enhance the breed overall and help to lower the average coefficient of inbreeding within our breed population. 

Testing requirements to determine breedability

• All MCPC breeding dogs must pass their MCPC health test requirements prior to breeding. DNA testing can be done at any age, but the blood panels, CAER eye exam, and general exam must be completed after one year of age.
• Breeders agree that females will not be bred prior to 18 months of age and preferably on or after their third heat cycle. 
• Any female at 8 years of age needs a repeat complete blood panel and general exam completed by a veterinarian and submitted to the MCPC for approval. 
• All breeding dogs must have an Embark for Dog Breeders DNA test on file with Embark Veterinary and allow the MCPC access to those test results. The results will be included in our database and will allow us to determine your litter's estimated COI based on DNA.
• The MCPC will utilize all tools available to help us create breeding strategies that will maintain our genetic diversity and good health: pedigree analysis, Wright's COI based on all known generations (not limited or misrepresented by a 3 generation only calculation), the COI calculated by DNA (homozygosity observed at specific markers) and DNA genotyping. 
• A completed MCPC general health exam conducted by your veterinarian, to be done after one year of age. 

Matchmaking
Breeders must submit a planned litter notification to the MCPC Board for all matings, prior to that mating. This will be a consultation to help the breeder(s) understand the DNA analysis in relationship to the pair considered, the probable COI for a litter produced and in the case of a repeat breeding between a pair, the board will explain any new health information that may not have been known the previous mating.  This notification will also act as a notice for updating the breeder listing for "next litter" information on the club website.  The consultation will be provided within 7 days of the request being submitted through our Online Breeder Portal. The intent of this process is to ensure breeding choices are made that will:

• Produce puppies that will contribute to reducing the average COI within our population and reduce the negative effects of inbreeding.
• Preserve the Malagasy lineage.
• Avoid the popular sire syndrome. 
• Allow our board to be aware of any special matings that would enhance our gene pool and our genetic diversity.
• Verify that sire and dam have successfully passed their test requirements and have been approved as a breedable Malagasy Coton de Tulear.
• The MCPC is not a closed breed club.  All Cotons bred from non-MCPC members, must have pedigrees validated by the MCPC as having Malagasy lineage and/or have traceable pedigrees back to CTCA registered ancestors. They must also have the required MCPC health testing done, including the Embark DNA testing for breeders, and the board must be granted access to Embark's RAW data for inclusion in our breeder tool analysis. A $25 fee for inclusion into the pedigree database will be required.

 Breeding Management

• The MCPC recommends that both sexes of breeding dogs be seen by a veterinarian two 2 weeks prior to the actual mating to be tested for the bacterial disease brucellosis.  (see the MCPC education portal for more information).
• No female can be bred after her tenth (10th) birthday, and no female can be bred after eight (8) years old without submitting a complete blood panel and general health exam from your vet to the MCPC before the mating. 
• The MCPC acknowledges that Theriogenology (Science of Animal Reproduction) today recommends that females be bred on consecutive heat cycles for four or five litters and then retired at a relatively young age.  This practice is healthier for the female only if the female has normal whelps and recovers well.  The MCPC, requires that if you follow this practice, you do so under the care of a reproductive veterinarian and with the intent to retire the female after her fifth litter, the MCPC will consider exceptions to this limit after consultation with the breeder and a reproductive veterinarian.  Otherwise, two pregnancies within three heat cycles would be the considered norm.
• ​MCPC breeders understand that we encourage stud dog ownership and using different breeding pairs for genetic diversity.  If a breeder chooses to use a stud dog outside their kennel, they agree that a written contract will be used and that these contracts should be reasonable and written in a manner to encourage other MCPC breeders to use available stud dogs. In that spirit, a graduating tier; dependent on number of puppies produced, is required in stud service contracts between MCPC Breeders.  At this time, the top end of that tier will be at the discretion of the owner of the stud dog and should not exceed $1800.  There are no stud fee requirements when a MCPC breeder offers stud services to a breeder outside the MCPC.  If the stud dog owner wants to include a "pick puppy" clause, it will state clearly that the pick puppy chosen will be sold to the stud dog owner for an agreed upon price, and that price should be the customary full price of puppy.
• At this time, there are no age restrictions for stud dogs, except they must be over 1 year old and have received their MCPC breedable status before being used. 
• Breeders should understand that if they co-own a Coton, it is wise to have a contract drawn up, signed by both co-owners, stating the terms of co-ownership. The MCPC puppy registration form, will clearly indicate that the puppy is co-owned and include the names of both owners.
• Breeders understand that if dogs of another breed reside in the home, they must be spayed or neutered, and proof of that alteration must be provided to the MCPC prior to becoming accepted as an MCPC breeder.
• Any Breeder, that has more than one intact male residing in their home, or has intact parents and intact offspring living in the same home, will be required to Embark test their litters to verify parentage. If there is a discrepancy, all buyers have to be notified by the breeder, and all registrations will be mailed by registrar directly to each buyer.

Health database and surveys
MCPC Breeders agree and understand that the continued good health of our breed is a serious responsibility and requires an accurate health database.  All MCPC breeders agree to the following:

• To participate fully in all health surveys conducted by the MCPC, including contacting puppy families if needed, understanding that this is one of the tools that will lead to a healthier breed for the future.
• To complete a MCPC death record for all breeding dogs owned or co-owned by breeder.
• To complete a MCPC death record for any offspring produced, if made aware by owner.
• To notify and honestly share, in confidence, with the MCPC board or any breeder considering purchasing a potentially breedable puppy, any health information gathered from their breeding dogs and their progeny.

sale and placement of puppies

Breeders should screen potential owners and place puppies within loving, responsible, and competent homes and actively support owners to understand the unique needs and standards of care for the Malagasy Coton de Tulear.

• All puppies will receive appropriate care to include:
  • Elimination of parasites, internal and external, by means recommended by their veterinarian.
  • At least one health examination by a veterinarian.
  • Vaccinations as indicated by a veterinarian.
  • A nutritious diet with proper nutritional analysis for puppies. The MCPC will provide guidelines.
  • Sanitary, safe, loving and stimulating environment for physical and emotional development.
• Each breeder must make the best effort to judge puppies as to breedable status. If needed, they will seek the help of their mentor and/or the MCPC board in making that judgement. Breeders will classify a puppy as "Not Breedable" if they know, or have reason to believe, that the puppy:
  • ​male, is cryptorchid; (The testes normally descend into the scrotum while an animal is very young. For dogs, the descent to the final scrotal position is expected to be complete by the time the puppy is two months old.)
  • will lack black pigment on its nose, lips or eye rings
  • will not meet the standard as to adult height and weight
  • ​will exhibit unsound structure or a genetic (inheritable) health, behavioral, or conformational defect. For example, a puppy born with a hernia is Not Breedable.
• Puppies will not be sold to pet stores or placed via auctions, raffles, or as a “prize” under any circumstance.
• It is in the best interest of the puppy and potential families to place puppies between the ages of 10-12 weeks of age. Circumstances may force a puppy placement at 9 weeks of age. Breeders agree this is not the expected norm and they will not place puppies with families any earlier than 9 weeks of age.  
• Owners should be encouraged to have their new puppy checked by their veterinarian within the first 4 days of homecoming.  
• MCPC breeders agree to offer at minimum, a written one-year health guarantee on all puppies that are deemed healthy at the time of sale, and understand that this health guarantee should compensate the buyer if the puppy develops an unforeseen genetic defect that alters the dog’s ability to lead a full life or prevents a “Potentially Breedable” puppy from being classified as “Breedable”.
• MCPC Breeders will explain to owners the need for accurate health records and will ask owners to keep the breeder informed about any health concerns that develop with their Malagasy Coton during its lifetime and report its eventual death and cause.  
• Breeders will allow the return of a puppy within a reasonable time frame and return to the buyer all, or a reasonable percentage, of the purchase price if an owner is not satisfied with a puppy.  In such a case, shipping should be the responsibility of the buyer rather than the breeder. REFUSAL TO HONOR SALES AGREEMENTS WILL RESULT IN EXPULSION.
• Owners should also be informed that, if they are ever unable to keep their dog, at any point in its lifetime, that the breeder will either take the dog back or assist the owner in finding it a suitable new home. If needed, breeders and owners can request the help of the MCPC Rescue Coordinator.  Therefore, breeders should request that owners inform them regarding any change in ownership.
• If, for any reason, a breeder is unable to fulfill their duties to their puppy families they will seek help from another MCPC breeder and/or the MCPC board.
• MCPC breeders understand that we need new breeders to maintain genetic diversity and ensure a healthy future for the Malagasy Coton de Tulear. Breeders that are actively producing litters will, to the best of their ability, recruit owners that may have an interest in becoming MCPC breeders in training.   
• MCPC breeders agree that the priorities of the Malagasy Coton de Tulear and the MCPC take precedence over the needs of any single breeder. They also agree to create sales agreements with other breeders or owners of potentially breedable puppies that would encourage increasing the size of our breeding population.  Breeders agree and are committed to the following:
  • Sales agreements for potentially breedable females will be for the purchase price only.  If a seller (originating breeder) uses a "pick puppy" clause for a future litter produced, it will state clearly that the pick puppy chosen will be sold to the originating breeder for an agreed upon price, which should be the customary full price of a puppy.
  • Sales agreements for potentially breedable males may include a clause that allows the seller to retain, at most, two breeding rights at no charge.  It is understood that these breeding rights are to encourage breeders to use a male so he can be "proven" (proven to have produced a litter) and then utilized for strategic planning with the intent to keep the dog's genes in our breeding population.​

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