The Coton de Tulear originates from Madagascar, which is located in the Indian Ocean, southeast from the coast of Africa. Tulear is a port city on the southwestern coast of Madagascar.
Historically, the Coton’s arrival to Madagascar dates approximately to the 15th century. Ships frequently passed by Madagascar and sea voyages were often long and boring, and the sailors’ quality of life was very poor. To offset these hardships and the loneliness of the ladies also traveling on these ships, little spirited dogs accompanied them and helped rid the ship of mice.
Some say these little dogs were the distant cousins of the Bichon Frise, while others hypothesize about the mixture of several European breeds: miscellaneous Bichons with Papillion (where the colors of the Coton would come from) and Belington Terrier (because of the arch of the back).
In those days, the French, Dutch, Portuguese and English landed on the island. The described dog could effectively be a mixture of several breeds which at the time accompanied the sailors on the India route. But let us not forget that in the Middle Ages the Arabic, the Indians and Indonesians also approached the island and may have brought their native dogs with them on their journey.
So many questions which certainly will remain unanswered. The legend goes on to portray that a ship sank off the Madagascar coast near the Port of Tulear. No one knows the name of the ship or its flag, but all the sailors perished and little dogs on the ship survived and swam ashore and settled on the island. Eventually these little dogs bred with the local terriers and VOILA!! A Coton de Tulear is born!
The locals fell in love with these little dogs, domesticated them and then offered them as gifts to the King and Merino nobles. Due to their charming personalities, and adorable appearance, the Coton soon became a favorite of Kings and nobles.
For many years, only people of the ruling caste were allowed to own a Coton, hence “The Royal Dog of Madagascar”. Around the turn of the century, French colonials also fell under the spell of the Coton. Upon their return to their native country, they raised the Cotons as pets. The breed has only be recognized internationally since 1971.
Historical information obtained from the USACTC and Coton’s World, a book by Eli de Luca.
