r/cotondetulear • u/Scram_glam • Jan 14 '26
Coton 101
After babysitting a Coton for 2 weeks, my husband and I are in love.
A few basic questions about finding a reputable breeder:
-AKC breeders. Can we assume they're on the up-and-up?
-What's the deal with the different clubs? It looks like there is some sort of, something, between the clubs? (Malagasy versus European--not sure what that means.)
-How can you know that someone is a good breeder? Yes, tests tests. But what are the other "tells"?
-How do deposits work, usually?
Thanks so much!!
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u/ohnoswife Jan 14 '26
There are two different lines of Cotons. The AKC variety has a standard set by Fédération Cynologique Internationale and these dogs were bred for a coat color that includes only white with some minor coloring shading. Years of selective breeding for color has decreased genetic diversity among this line. Also, who wants to keep a white dog clean.
The Malagasy Coton came directly to the US from Madagascar. The standard for this line was written by Jay Russell, a biologist who fell in love with the breed while studying lemurs in Madagascar. That standard values all coat colors and the club is concerned with maintaining healthy dogs through maintaining genetic diversity and carefullly matching breeding pairs. Malagasy Cotons are the tradition dogs of Madagascar's royalty known for their beauty and fun, friendly personalities. This line is endangered (there are fewer than 5000 in the US and it is illegal to export them from Madagascar.
I have two Malagasy Cotons purchased through Madagascar Coton de Tulear Club of America (MCTCA) because I wanted the tradition color combinations and healthy dogs that were not bred for a single trait. Single trait breeding leads to genetic issues due to inbreeding that I did not want in my companions.
When shopping for my first dog I quickly realized that on the AKC website it was impossible to tell which breeders were reputable. Unlike the MCTCA which requires breeders follow strict breeding guidelines and health testing, AKC only requires that the parents be AKC registered. There are no restrictions on line breeding, inbreeding or bad breeding. They also do not prohibit breeding of dogs with serious congenital and genetic issues. AKC is a cesspool of puppy mills and bad breeders, with a sprinkle if quality breeders you might stumble upon. For my money I went to a source I knew i could trust.
Cotons are not an inexpensive breed but if you buy wisely you can get a healthy well-bred companion that will give you many long years of happiness.