Coton Eskimo
12-15 yrs
13-23 lbs
11-18"
United States

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Coton Eskimo

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Dog Breeds
Coton Eskimo

13-23 lbs

11-18"

United States

American Eskimo

Coton de Tulear

The Coton Eskimo is a medium sized dog and its name comes from the parent breeds - American Eskimo and Coton de Tulear. They usually have dense coats that are fluffy and very soft which are white, black and white, white with cream, or tri-color. They make good family pets and are very loving. They are intelligent, social dogs which are easy to train. They don’t need a lot of maintenance but it will depend on which parent breed they most take after as Coton de Tulear’s coat needs to be trimmed while American Eskimos are easier to take care of although will need regular brushing.

                
                Purpose
              
​Companion

                Date of Origin
              
Unknown

                Ancestry
              
Coton de Tulear, American Eskimo

Coton Eskimo Health

Average Size

Height: 13-20 inches Weight: 15-25 lbs

Height: 11-18 inches Weight: 13-23 lbs

Major Concerns

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hip Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

Patellar Luxation
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Heart Murmur

Occasional Diagnoses

Cataracts
Hypothyroidism

Occasional Tests

X-Rays
MRI
CT Scan
Physical Examination
Blood Work
Ophthalmic Examination

Coton Eskimo Breed History

It is not clear when the Coton Eskimo, which are a mix between the Coton de Tulear and the American Eskimo, were first bred but they have become popular in the United States. The history of the Coton de Tulear, a member of the Bichon family, is also quite poorly documented. They are believed to be descended from dogs who survived a shipwreck near the Madagascar coast. The Merina, who were the ruling tribal monarchy in Madagascar kept them as pets in the royal court during the 17th century. It was only in the 1970s they were brought to France and North America where he has become quite popular. They are also known as the "Royal Dog of Madagascar". The breed were recognized by the AKC in 2014. American Eskimos, members of the Spitz line, are thought to have come from Germany. First known as the American Spitz, the name was changed to American Eskimo as a way to distance the German lineage. Known for their very attractive appearance, they were once performers in circus shows. This breed comes in a Toy, Miniature and Standard size. They were registered with the American Kennel Club in 1995. Still a dog who loves to work and herd, they are currently listed as the 122nd most popular breed in the United States. Not as well know as canines with a similar look, this breed does have a beautiful appearance.

Coton Eskimo Breed Appearance

The Coton Eskimo is a medium sized dog weighing up to 25 pounds and with dense coats that are fluffy and very soft. They are either white, black and white, white with cream, or tri-color. They are likely to taken on the appearance of the parent breeds like the Coton de Tulear with their cotton-like coats or American Eskimos which have white fluffy, straight double coats. This breed has black eyes slightly oval in shape and often have tear stains below their eyes. The American Eskimo is known for its alert, keen and bright expression. The muzzle is broad and the jaw strong with close fitting teeth. Their paws are oval and tails carried up over the back. The Coton de Tulear is known for its prominent black nose and large expressive eyes. Their tails curl over their backs.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

White

Pied

Cream

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Coton Eskimo Breed Maintenance

There is a chance your Coton Eskimo may be hypoallergenic as the Coton de Tulear is. However the American Eskimo is not, so it depends on who your pet most takes after whether they will be or not. Hypoallergenic dogs are good for people who suffer from allergies. When it comes to grooming, the Coton Eskimo is regarded as low maintenance. They shed moderately so will need to be brushed a few times a week to get rid of loose hair and any mats. The Coton de Tulear needs to be bathed nearly every week while the American Eskimo only needs bathing a few times a year. The breed, also known as Eskies, have sensitive skin so washing them too often can strip the natural oils from the body and irritation. You will have to monitor the condition of your Coton Eskimo's skin for redness; consult the veterinarian for advice on frequency of bathing.

Brushes for Coton Eskimo

Pin Brush

Slicker Brush

Dematter

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Coton Eskimo Temperament

The Coton Eskimo makes an excellent family pet and is playful and affectionate. They are intelligent dogs who are eager to please so training is easy, even for first time pet owners. They are quite wary of strangers which makes them good watchdogs.They are likely to share some of the traits of the parent breeds. For instance, American Eskimos are good with other dogs, cat friendly and very good with children. The Coton de Tulear also gets on with children and are loving dogs who adapt well to any environment. They are also easy to train because they love to please people and are very curious dogs. They are known for grunting when playing and for walking on their hind legs. Your pet will need a fair bit of exercise to prevent getting bored and destructive but they are good apartment dwellers as long as they go outside every day.

Coton Eskimo Activity Requirements

A Coton Eskimo will need a moderate amount of exercise to keep fit and happy. If your pet takes after the American Eskimo then it will need more exercise. These dogs love performing and doing tricks more than just going for a walk. Eskies love playing hide and seek and being chased by their owners. They love nothing more than being active with their owners and are sometimes referred to as “velcro dogs”. The Coton de Tulear, on the other hand, is playful and loves having attention but they won’t need as much exercise due to their size. Both dogs make excellent apartment dwellers as long as they are taken out daily. The American Eskimo tolerates the cold more than the heat while the Coton de Tulear is also quite tolerant to the cold but your pet will need to be an inside dog.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
9 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Coton Eskimo

Similarly Sized Breeds to Coton Eskimo

Coton Eskimo Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00

Written by Loreziel Ortega

Published: 11/07/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

Coton Eskimo Owner Experiences

Cruz

4 Years

2 People

House

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

He is so friendly and sweet, he barks a lot but only out of happiness and excitement.

5 years, 4 months ago

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