Pug-Coton

The Pug-Coton is a hybrid dog, and, in this case, there is not a great deal of information about his exact origins. However, we can study the parent breeds to learn more about the history of the hybrid dog. The Pug was once considered Chinese royalty. He was a favorite of Chinese emperors, and, as he found his way out of the country through trading, the Pug became a favorite with the royalty of other nations. The dog was named the official dog of the House of Orange in Holland and Marie Antoinette owned a pug prior to her marriage to Louis XVI. Queen Victoria, known for her love of dogs and her breeding program, loved the Pug breed. The Pug made its way to America after the Civil War, and was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. The Coton de Tulear hails from the island of Madagascar. He is related to the Bichon family of canines and very much resembles them. No one knows exactly how the dog came to be; some believed that the dog was a companion and ratter on merchant ships. Others state that the dogs are the survivors of a shipwreck on the island. Either way, the dog is highly popular in its native land. Cotons were brought to America in the 1970s; at the same time, a Frenchman took some Cotons back to France with him, where he continued to develop the breed. He is as of yet still not recognized by the American Kennel Club; however, one must remember that he is a fairly new breed.