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Coton de Tulear is a pretty interesting name. Coton is the French word for
cotton, which describes the texture of their fur, and Tulear is a port town in
Madagascar, where they originated.
Madagascar was a popular center of trade for many sea farers. These travelers
brought small bichon type dogs on their ships in order to eliminate rats and
mice. There they mated with some local terriers, and the Coton de Tulear
evolved.
France claimed Madagascar in the 17 century, and the island became home to
French aristocracy. It became fashionable to surround themselves with rare
treasures, so it became unlawful for commoners to keep a Coton de Tulear.
That is why they are called the Royal Dog of Madagascar. Although from
Madagascar they are patronages of France.
It is presumed (although somewhat hard to believe) many Cotons lived on their
own in Madagascar. They became very resourceful at avoiding crocodiles. It is
said, if a Coton needed to cross the river, the dog would bark loudly a ways
away, attract all the crocodiles, and then race 100 meters back, swim across
the river without harm. This decoy instinct is alive today, you can see it when
they play (or when you sit down to eat dinner, ;-D), especially when they are
playing with other Cotons!
For a more complete history, check out the The Coton Breeders of Excellence
cotton, which describes the texture of their fur, and Tulear is a port town in
Madagascar, where they originated.
Madagascar was a popular center of trade for many sea farers. These travelers
brought small bichon type dogs on their ships in order to eliminate rats and
mice. There they mated with some local terriers, and the Coton de Tulear
evolved.
France claimed Madagascar in the 17 century, and the island became home to
French aristocracy. It became fashionable to surround themselves with rare
treasures, so it became unlawful for commoners to keep a Coton de Tulear.
That is why they are called the Royal Dog of Madagascar. Although from
Madagascar they are patronages of France.
It is presumed (although somewhat hard to believe) many Cotons lived on their
own in Madagascar. They became very resourceful at avoiding crocodiles. It is
said, if a Coton needed to cross the river, the dog would bark loudly a ways
away, attract all the crocodiles, and then race 100 meters back, swim across
the river without harm. This decoy instinct is alive today, you can see it when
they play (or when you sit down to eat dinner, ;-D), especially when they are
playing with other Cotons!
For a more complete history, check out the The Coton Breeders of Excellence
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