Laravel

The Coton de Tuléar is the quintessential happy-go-lucky pooch. The Coton (pronounced ko-tawn) is a bouncy little companion dog that is primarily valued for their adorable personality and cute, stuffed-animal-like appearance.

One of the facts about the Coton de Tuléar is that they originated in Madagascar several hundred years ago and are named for Tulear, a port city there. The Coton de Tuléar is the national dog of the island of Madagascar. They are related to the Bichon Frise and the Maltese, but has their own distinct character.

These little dogs were the preferred companions of Madagascar nobles. So much so, that a law was passed to prohibit commoners from owning a Coton. These nobles were also reluctant to allow Cotons to leave the island, which kept them relatively isolated from the rest of the world for a long time.

It wouldn’t be until the 1960s that French tourists would discover the breed and bring them back to Europe. From there, the Coton was brought to Europe and to the United States where the breed was refined into the modern Coton that continues to grab people’s attention and hearts. In addition to their charming personality, a notable feature is their “cottony” coat and funny “mustache and beard” muzzle.

Their coat, which is silky-soft to the touch, makes them a favorite cuddle companion for owners - including certain celebrities - who find keeping this pet close more than they can resist. The dog breed was recognized by the AKC in 2014 as part of the Non-Sporting Group and is certainly recognized by the top European dog clubs.