This uniquely interesting breed hails from the island of Madagascar, where aristocrats kept them as prized, precious lapdogs and isolated them from the outside world. According to the American Kennel Club, the breed was eventually spotted by French tourists and introduced to the rest of Europe, where they immediately became popular, a popularity which has spread all over the world.
It should come as no surprise that they’re named for the French word “Coton” which means cotton. Though their incredible coat makes them instantly recognizable, they’re also adored for their happy, silly and inquisitive nature. These pups are all about their people and love to socialize, meaning they shouldn’t be left alone for too long.
But back to that gorgeous coif. If you’re going to introduce a Coton into your family (which you should), you need to prepare yourself for some serious hair-care time.
Not sure what you’re doing, or need help figuring out what style will look best on your canine? Luckily, we’ve gathered together some Coton De Tulear-approved hairstyle options to make your decision more informed (and more fun!).
Grooming Tips
But first, a few quick grooming tips to help you on your way:
- Teach your Coton from a young age that grooming isn’t scary—it’s a special time for the two of you to bond. Unless you keep their hair short, you’re going to end up brushing them a lot, so make sure they’re comfortable with it.
- When brushing your pup, have a brush that gets all the way through the fur without irritating their skin. A pin brush is often the best option for this method.
- Another brushing tip: use a spray conditioner for dogs so that you don’t damage their luxurious locks. Plus, it’ll help you get through the tangles.
- While you’re spending all of this time brushing them, it’s smart to look for any skin irritations (before they become a real problem) or for other issues like fleas or mites that could be hiding under that big, cottony fluff.
- Bathing is great for this breed and helps keep mats under control. It’s a good idea to use a dog-safe blow dryer after their bath on the coat to make sure it stays healthy and happy.
- Don’t neglect their ears and nails either—make sure to clean wax out and look out for infection, and keep the nails tidy and trimmed up (it’ll be so much nicer for them, too).
Top Coton De Tulear Haircuts
1. Full Coat
This cut is the one that truly celebrates your pup’s crown of cottony glory, by essentially NOT cutting it and letting it grow naturally and freely. The coat is long and flowing, and though this style will require lots of brushing and bathing, there is such beauty in the puffy, abundant fur of an untrimmed Coton De Tulear.
2. Puppy Cut
3. Summer Cut
Similar to the Puppy Cut, this summer style runs shorter all over the body, which can offer your Coton some respite during those scorching summer months. It also means that mats and tangles are much less of an issue, so you won’t have to spend as much time bathing, brushing and trying to keep your pup’s hair smooth. Although this also means that you’re missing out on that adorable, fluffy, classic Coton look!
A Few Other Thought About Your Coton De Tulear
However you decide to groom your Coton De Tulear, they’re going to look wonderful and oh-so-cuddly—and you’ll be happy once you find the right style that fits in with your family (and budget and free time).
Just remember to always pay attention to the cues that your dog is giving you, and if something is causing them stress, then it may be time to find a different approach/hairstyle/groomer/etc. We hope these hairstyle ideas and grooming tips have been useful for jazzing up your pup’s coif. Happy clipping!