Coton de Tulear Breed Maintenance
The Coton de Tulear are small and family oriented, so they are best suited to the indoor life where they can be safe, warm and loved with their family. Due to their small size and good temperament, these dogs can make good pets for people who are living in apartments or small homes, although any loving home will do. They can sometimes like to wander off, so homes where they will be left alone outdoors should have a fenced yard. Some people have trouble house training these dogs, but they are intelligent and as long as they have frequent ventures outside, a regular schedule and some praise when they potty in the right spot, your little companion shouldn’t have too much difficulty figuring it out. Crate-training might also help with the potty training problems. Coton de Tulear love pleasing their family, and with some positive reinforcement, you can teach them anything. They enjoy exercise and playtime, but do not require excessive daily activity, as they will adapt to their owner’s energy levels. These little dogs are known to enjoy obedience and agility training. To keep their coat fluffy and tangle free, brush them using an uncoated metal pin brush two or three times each week. Smaller, fine toothed combs used on the face will keep your dog looking stylish. Use a comb and hair elastic to keep the hair around their face back into a cute little top knot if it seems to get in the way of their eyesight. Trimming their coat and fur around the face can help minimize the grooming needs. Brush especially behind the ears, elbows and legs. A spray conditioner while grooming is optional but can minimize the hair breakage. The more frequent grooming sessions are, the less often your Coton de Tulear will need to be bathed. However, if they happen to get dirty, they may need to be bathed monthly or every week or two. Whitening shampoos can keep them looking white as snow and using a blow dryer while brushing them will make them fluffy and cottony. To dry them off, pat gently with a towel. Avoid rubbing with a towel because it can create knots in their fur. Additional grooming will be needed at around 15 months of age since their adult coat will be growing in. Like all other canines, Coton de Tulear dogs will also need their teeth and nails taken care of regularly. Teeth should be brushed two or three times each week, although daily is best. Trim the nails as need, most likely once or twice in a month.