Should I get a 2nd Coton de Tulear?

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Should I get a 2nd Coton de Tulear?

by Sue
(NY)

I have a female Coton de Tulear that is 16 months old. My husband and I both work pretty long hours outside the home. We have 3 cats and a pet sitter comes in a few times a week, but I don't think it's enough company for her. My one youngest cat plays with her but cats also sleep so much.

Our breeder is having more pups this month, but already has 4 deposits so I may not be able to get one. Plus if the mother does have 5 pups, I would get last pick. She is breeding again on the fall and pups should be ready to go a year from now, next Jan. I could gave 1st pick then and maybe bring Jazzy to pick one out (although the breeder is a 5 hr drive from me).

Would a dog friend be better for her than cat friends? Should I try to get one now if there is one available or wait a year? I am conflicted because I think she could use the company now but do not really want them getting old and sick at the sane time, but the longer I wait she may get too used to being the only dog in the house.

I have 2 cats that are 13 and one is quite sick and the other is fine, so maybe I shouldn't worry about that.

Also, age old question: would it be better, as a general rule, to get a male ? She is a little bossy :). Or just bring her to the breeder and see who she bonds with?? Sorry for so many questions!

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Should I get a 2nd Coton de Tulear?

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May 19, 2011
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Pa breeder
by: Sue

She doesn't have a web site but if you google CTCA breeders you will find contact info. She is a very caring breeder and I highly recommend her. I do wish she had a web site though!!

May 19, 2011
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PA Breeders
by: Suzi

Hi. I noticed that you mentioned Pennys from Heaven as a breeder. I am unable to find the website. Do you know if she is still breeding? Or if there is another webiste address? Thanks! Good luck with your pups.

Apr 08, 2011
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Westbury dog walk
by: Fran

Sue, I hope to go on 4/16 also. I'll look for you. I don't know who else is going. I am going to check with Donna. She is the other girl I met on the Facebook Group. She went last year. That is so funny that your sister's name is Fran also.

Fran

Apr 08, 2011
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Westbury dog walk
by: Sue

I found the event..we are going to Pa breeder on Sunday 4/17 but I will go to Westbury 4/16. I hope to meet you there. By the way, speaking of names, my sister's name is Fran!!

Apr 08, 2011
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Coton Facebook page
by: Sue

yes, I am on facebook..I belong to the 'Coton Care' site..is that the one you mean? Let me know..also..if you go to Westbury you must live on LI? I do also..please email me..augiesma@aol.com. I would love to go the next time..

Apr 08, 2011
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2nd Puppy
by: Fran

Sue, I love it! I was going to get a male when I got Bella. The name I was thinking about then was Reilly. Being that I got a girl I changed it to Bella. I didn't see her before I got her except for pictures on the internet. We met the "breeder" in the city to pick her up. Very strange! Are you on Facebook? I belong to the Coton Facebook Group. A lot of the members write in with various subjects about their Cotons. I met some of the women at Dog Day in Old Westbury mansion last Oct.. They are having it again this month. I think there were 7 Cotons that came. It was a lot of fun seeing all the Cotons together. They all got along great.
Fran

Apr 08, 2011
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Name
by: Sue

Fran, that is hysterical! And I was going to name Jazzy Bella!!!

Apr 08, 2011
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2nd Pup
by: Fran

Sue, That is so funny! Giorgio is my first choice in a name also. Let me know how it goes. I have a while to wait until August.

Apr 08, 2011
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2nd pup
by: Sue

Fran, I am getting a male this time. I am nervous as well but I think in the long run it will really be good for her to have company. It's so confusing with the different breeder clubs. I got Jazzy from a CTCA breeder so I decided to do the same with this one. I think they may have some stricter breeding rules, which I like. Jazzy's breeder had gotten a new pup to breed but it failed one of the new CTCA required blood tests so she can't breed her. I am going to bring Jazzy next weekend to meet the pups in Pa. My husband isn't thrilled about a 3 hr drive just to visit but I want to see if she prefers one over the other. I was the last to give a deposit so it's not like I will have much of a choice, but I think it would be good to have them meet anyway! Today I am looking for a stuffed dog toy that has a heating pad and a heartbeat for when we bring the new pup home next month. We plan to name him Giorgio!

Apr 08, 2011
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Puppy Decision
by: Fran

That's great! I put a deposit down on a puppy from Just Incredible Cotons in NJ. Justine is just starting the breeding this month so the puppies won't be born until June and won't be ready to come home until August. I am scared to death but excited. You can keep me posted and let me know how it turns out with Jazzy. Are you getting a male or female?

Apr 06, 2011
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puppy decision
by: Sue

yes! I am getting a puppy next month from Penny's from Heaven breeder in Pa! I'm very excited, but also scared! I am going to bring my dog Jazzy for a visit next weekend and hope that she likes the pups and maybe picks one out that is still available!

Apr 06, 2011
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2nd Coton Puppy
by: Fran

Sorry I took so long to get back to you. It's been a busy month here. Did you get any fruther with your decision? The breeder I have been in touch with is Justine Romano at Just Incredible Cotons. She is located in Northern NJ.

Mar 14, 2011
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Breeders
by: Sue

NJ would be fine, but I am currently talking to Penny's from Heaven breeder, Carol Cassano. She has pups now, but I'm not sure yet of availabilty, as 4 out of 6 have deposits with 2 pending. If none are available, she is also mating her male with a breeder from NJ in May, so that is another possibility. Do you know the name of the breeder in NJ that you heard about? Thanks so much. I am very anxious and excited now to get Jazzy a friend!

Mar 14, 2011
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BREEDERS
by: Anonymous

Sue, I would not recommend the breeder I got Bella from because I found out later that she is a scam artist. I was lucky that it turned out okay for me but there are other people who had a lot of problems. She is in Binghamton, NY. At least she was when I dealt with her. Her name is Lisa Crocker. She went by the name of Anne. If you google Rip Off it tells all about her. If you join Facebook and the Coton De Tulear Facebook Group there are a lot of reputable breeders that are recommended there. I found one in NJ that I have been talking to. I don't know if you want to travel to NJ.
Fran

Mar 09, 2011
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A complication
by: Sue

My breeder's dog that she was planning to breed had blood tests and there is a problem with her liver test. She is going to retest in a few months, hoping that maybe she just snuck some food, causing the bad result. Fran, since you love your Coton so much, are you thinking of getting another from the same breeder? Where is that breeder? I am in NY, and I guess I am looking for another breeder within driving distance. Does anyone know anything about these liver tests? Is it possible this could go away, or even if it did, would this be a possible health issue that could crop up again?

Mar 08, 2011
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Going for it
by: Sue

We have decided to go for it. I know exactly how you feel. I had the same feeling that Jazzy is so good and I'm afraid the next one may not be, and I would also go for a male and I once had a hyper, crazy male Maltese. BUT, I think this breed is just so wonderful, and I think she will be happier with a doggy friend while we are at work. I have to wait until next Jan though :(

Mar 08, 2011
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Also Undecided
by: Fran

When i read this comment I thought it was me writing. I have an 18 month old female Coton (Bella) and have been kicking around getting another one for months. The breeder I have been in touch with had puppies available but I was a little late. They were all reserved. She said I could send a deposit and have first pick on the next litter. She is planning on puppies this summer. I just don't know if it's a good idea because Bella is so good and well adjusted. I'm afraid I might not get such a good one this time. I would get a male if I do get one. Am I asking for trouble?

Feb 22, 2011
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Still confused
by: Anonymous

The breeder had only 4 pups and all are spoken for. Still conflicted about waiting. Jazzy is a year and a half old now. What is the best age difference?? I want her to be young enough to enjoy the company and have a playmate, but I do worry about them getting old at the same time.

Feb 13, 2011
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The fates have decided!
by: Augiesma

The breeder only had 4 pups, so it's a moot point. All are spoken for. I think waiting will be best anyway. My 13 yr old sickly cat will most likely not be with us by then ( though we have been saying that for years!) which would make my husband feel more comfortable about the pet population! I have to admit 5 pets sounds a little scary!!

Jan 06, 2011
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still deciding
by: Sue

I live in NY....not too many breeders near me. Pups are expected next week so I will probably just wait to see how many she has. If it's 4 or less, I have to wait anyway...which may not be a bad thing. With a sick cat and one naughty cat, it is quite a handful right now. Jazzy plays a lot with naughty cat Bo, but lately during the night when Bo jumps on the bed she snarls and chases him. She doesn't do that to the other 2 cats. My previous dog did the same to this one cat, but this is also the one she lays the most with. Very peculiar. She is also a VERY picky eater. I started cooking for her but even so she doesn't like most of what I make for her! Other than that she is perfect! Ha! :-)

Jan 04, 2011
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Cotons are like potato chips, hard to have just one
by: Deb

I myself think that dogs love the company of their humans, and of other dogs. Not that they cannot be friends and good buddies with the cat, I have 5 dogs, 3 cats and they are all good with each other. I do think that dogs will run and play and chase things and wear off the boredom for each other. Makes them miss their humans less when they are away making the money to support the household.
As for getting a pup now vs waiting a year, I have never met a Coton that was not a friendly and fun, and I have know several all from different litters. Waiting till your breeder has another litter is fine if you WANT to wait, but I am sure that if you find a reputable breeder whos breeding practices are in line with your mindset, then you will get a fine puppy. And not just to plug my own beautiful Coton Babe; aka Niharts' Babygirl Snowbunny, but we will have a litter coming up in about 10 weeks and they are always wonderful puppies. She is just now in heat and we are planning, praying and watching for all things to come in line as they should. I am in Indiana, not sure where you are from, but you can email me if you want to talk about them. I only have one with a deposit on her so far, so lots of choices.
Best of Luck, Deb puppy.pals@frontier.com

Jan 04, 2011
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Decisions Decisions
by: Gale

I can tell you that Luc lives with just one cat and they're great buddies. I didn't really understand how much until last week when I had to board the cat for medical reasons. Luc really got quite lethargic and I thought maybe he was getting sick as well. It turned out he was just missing his cat. As soon as she came home he was his old self again.

I'm sure your dog would love to have a Coton companion. What you have to look at is what it's going to do to YOUR life. 2 dogs and 3 cats is a huge responsibility and can be hard to manage, - physically, emotionally, financially, especially if you're working long hours. But, if these things are not an issue for YOU, then go for it.

You may want to wait until the next litter, since you don't seem to be 100% sure right now. Why not wait until the decision is more clear - plus you and Jazzy will get to choose the pup. I think if you make your decision based on what's right for you and your dog instead of puppy availability, things will probably go smoother.

As far as male vs. female. I don't think you'll get a consensus. It's a personal choice. I have a male and love everything about him. I'm sure all the female Coton owners feel the same way about their dogs. From what I've read, there isn't really a huge difference in personality between the genders. There are "bossy" males as well as females; they all have their unique personalities.

Let us know what you decide.....

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Should I get a 2nd Coton de Tulear?

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