Cotton de Tulear
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| History | The official dog of Madagascar, originates from a breed linked to the Bichon Breed of dogs brought to the island by the sailors as a ratter and companion. |
| Personality | Lovable and entertaining. Needs lots of companionship and popular as a lap dog for the elderly and ideal dogs for people with allergies. |
| Appearance | White fluffy coat, with apricot markings permissible. Puppies showing some color usually become white as they mature. Some grey or dark grey on ears allowed. |
| Grooming | Daily brushing, occasional bath. Clipping of the hair-like coat not required, although cleaning of the ear hair and between the foot pads is necessary. |
| Health | These relatively rare dog breeds are free from many health issues common in many types of dogs. |
| Family | Very good companion dog, not for young children. He is known to guard his toys and food and can be snappy. |
| Training | The Coton de Tulear has high intellect but will need early training to establish pack leadership. This cute angel can be prone to Dog Separation Anxiety if not sure of his status. |
| Ideal Home | Makes a great companion pet and gets on well with other family pets. Little exercise is required so an apartment is sufficient as normal play is sufficient. A daily walk though is recommended. |
| Lifespan | 14 - 18 years. One of the longest longevity of all small dog breeds. |
| Purpose | Originally a ratter. Today a companion and pet. |
| Watch dog | Very good alert dog. |
