-
Activity Level:
moderate
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Shedding Level:
low
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Grooming Level:
moderate
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Trainability:
high
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Good for Novice Owners:
moderate
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Adaptability:
high
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Kid/Pet Friendly:
often
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Prey Drive:
low
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Watchdog:
chill
- Average Size: Small
- Average Lifespan: 14-16 years
Coton de Tulear Mix Dog Breed Information
Overview
Temperament
Adaptability
Health
Owner Experience
Grooming
Activity Level
Size
Life Span
The Coton de Tulear Mix is a cross between a Coton de Tulear and another dog breed. Because mixed-breed dogs can inherit any combination of characteristics from their parents, it’s important to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix.
Should a Coton de Tulear Mix take after their Coton parent, they will be a small dog with a lovable, charming, and playful personality. They will love spending time around their favorite humans and being affectionate with them.
A Coton de Tulear loves being the center of attention. They will often engage in clownish and comedic antics to get the attention they love so much. They also tend to be friendly and affectionate dogs with just about everyone. This means they tend to get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers.
If they take after their Coton parent, you can expect something similar in a Coton de Tulear Mix. But, the other parent breed will introduce their own set of quirks and traits, so you want to make sure you ask the breeder about them.
Although the breeder should have started some socialization and training, it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. This will help your Coton de Tulear Mix puppy grow into a confident, well-rounded, and well-mannered dog.
Coton de Tulear tend to be highly adaptable dogs. They do well in apartments, larger homes, and most climates. They do tend to get cold easily, so you will want to bundle up with some winter dog products while out on walks during the winter to keep them warm. Because they bond so closely with their families and love attention, they do not do well with alone time.
If the other parent breed is also highly adaptable, then you can expect a Coton de Tulear Mix to be highly adaptable as well. You still want to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix as they will introduce their own traits that could affect adaptability.
Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? Although they can be, it’s not a guarantee. Just as a mix could inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, they could just as easily inherit all of them or some combination of them.
From the Coton de Tulear side, potential health concerns to be aware of in a Coton de Tulear Mix include heart disease, eye conditions, and hypothyroidism. They can also be prone to developing allergies and sensitive skin.
Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies, so it’s important to ask the breeder about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done.
The Coton de Tulear is an intelligent dog that picks up on things quickly and is eager to please. This makes them a highly trainable dog breed that is a good fit for owners of all experience levels.
If the other parent breed is also highly trainable, then you can expect a Coton de Tulear Mix to be a highly trainable dog as well. If the other parent breed is more difficult to train, first-time dog owners may want to be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes in case they need them.
A mixed-breed dog can inherit a coat that is similar to one of their parents or one that is a mix of both of them. Should a Coton de Tulear Mix inherit the Coton coat, they will be low-shedding and require grooming every 4-6 weeks. If they are kept in a short puppy clip, weekly brushing is sufficient. If their coat is kept longer, they will need daily brushing.
In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Coton de Tulear Mix’s nails, ears, and teeth. Cutting nails once or twice a month is usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ear checks on a weekly basis and carefully cleaning your dog’s ears as needed can help prevent ear infections.
Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. As a small dog breed, a Coton de Tulear Mix is even more prone to developing dental issues, which makes practicing good dental care for dogs even more important. Daily brushing or use of an enzyme toothpaste in addition to regular cleanings at the vet is ideal.
Coton de Tulear tend to sit in a low to moderate activity range and will often match whatever you are doing. Although they may be energetic while playing or being active with you, they are not high-energy dogs and will tire out relatively easily.
If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a similar activity level in a Coton de Tulear Mix. If the other breed has a different activity level, then you will need to be prepared for that potential range in a Coton de Tulear Mix.
A fully-grown Coton de Tulear usually stands 8-12 inches tall and weighs 8-15 pounds. The other parent breed could have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so you want to ask the breeder about them.
It’s not a guarantee, but another option is to meet the mother in person. That can give you some idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Coton de Tulear Mix.
Coton de Tulear generally live for 14-16 years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar life span for a Coton de Tulear Mix.