Silky Coton

Like most other hybrid breeds, the history of the Silky Coton is unknown. The breed was likely developed for the purpose of creating a compact and loving companion animal. The Silky Terrier originated in the 1800s in Australia. While bred as companion pets, they retain their terrier instincts, and they are excellent hunters of snakes and rats. The breed found its way into the United States with soldiers returning home following the end of World War 2. In 1959, the Silky Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. In 1996, one brave Silky Terrier was awarded the Australian Purple Cross of Bravery for after fearlessly diving from a balcony and protecting his nine-year-old owner from a venomous brown snake. The Coton de Tulear has a much longer history, having been discovered in Madagascar in the 1600s. Legend says that these small canines arrived on the shore of Tulear after surviving a shipwreck. Once known as the “Royal Dog of Madagascar,” these resourceful dogs developed their intelligence and adaptability through several centuries of surviving on the island with little human intervention. In the 1970s, these dogs were discovered by a Frenchman and brought back to France where the breed was given its name. Shortly after, they made their debut in the United States, and they have been a popular companion animal ever since. While the breed has existed for centuries, it has only been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club since 2014. The United States of America Coton de Tulear Club, however, was founded in 1993.