Coton de Tulear History (sort of...)

Coton de Tulear history is spotty at best. As with any information on this rare breed, it's origin is somewhat unclear. There are a number of interesting tales about how these dogs came to inhabit Madagascar several centuries ago but they are mostly unsubstantiated. So keep this in mind about the Coton de Tulear history on the below timeline:

• 15^th or 16^th Century – It is thought that the Coton de Tulear originated in the port city of Tulear in Madagascar (currently named Toliara).  One account is that their ancestors (thought to be related to the Bichon family of dogs) were shipwrecked during storms steered by Spanish and Portuguese sailors and they washed up in Tulear. 

• 17th Century - France claimed Madagascar and these dogs became very popular with the new French aristocracy.  It became illegal for commoners to own this rare breed and today they are known as the "Royal Dog of Madagascar".

• 1970-71 - The breed gained official recognition from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) when they accepted them into their registry

• 1974 – The breed was honored on a postage stamp in Madagascar

• 1974-The first Cotons came to Americawhen Dr. Robert Jay Russell sent breeding stock over from Madagascar

• 1975- The first Cotons appeared in Europe

• 1976– The Coton deTulear Club of Americawas formed by Dr. Jay Russell to maintain the original Malagasy breed standard, pedigrees, andRegistrations

• 1992– The Madagascan government imposed an export stopto prevent the threat of extinction of the breed

• 1994– Four Coton clubs were formed in the U.S.and Canada

• 2005– According to the CTCA, nearly 2,000 Cotons deTulear produced by 80 breeders worldwide were registered by the CTCA(incontrast, more than 70,000 Cotons have been produced in Europesince 1977).

Today– Although the breed is becoming more popular,Cotons de Tulear are still considered rare even in their native Madagascar.

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