Why are Cotons so special?

That's easy!

They are playful, loving, sweet, silly little clowns, not at all yappy, have hair not fur, thus do not shed, most fit into an approved airline carrier within the pressurized cabin, are non-allergenic, and they are great kissers...

About Angelique Cotons

At Angelique Cotons, breeding the best possible puppies for both companionship and breeding/show quality means strictly conforming to the United States of America's Coton de Tulear Club's CODE OF ETHICS .

We are committed to breeding healthy, beautiful, puppies with the temperament for which the breed is known, sweet, silly, loving, smart, non-shedding, hypo-allergenic bundles of love.

At Angelique Cotons, we are committed to maintaining the FCI standards, and testing and certification for patella, hip, thyroid, and eyes standards. Should any puppy of ours have any incongruity within the first two years of adoption into your home, it will be replaced. Actually, if for any reason you cannot keep your puppy, it may be returned to us, and we will take responsibility to find it a happy, well-suited family. We want to make sure that our puppies are in safe, happy homes for their lifetime! Thus, we are here for you, for questions, and guidance for as long as you own your Angelique Coton!

• Why Did You Select A Coton de Tulear From The Hundreds of Breeds?

  Their amazing temperament was what first attracted me to this special breed. My first Coton, Ashton - now eight years old - came to me because I visited Hyla, who owned The Point of It All, a needlepoint shop, in Washington, DC. Her Coton was in the shop, along with about a dozen children there for a lesson. Her Coton was calm, sweet, and tolerant, to all these children, who were eager to pet her. That's when my research began on Cotons. I was on a waiting list for over a year.

• What Made You Decide To Become A Breeder?

When I got Ashton in 1999, I had every intention of breeding him. He's show quality and a "gentleman and a scholar." But my partner didn't want me to because he wanted us to travel. So I had Ashton neutered. And we never traveled. A year later, I got Brandy, who was supposed to be breedable/show quality. But she developed problems, which did not comply with the USACTA CODE of ETHICS, so I had her spayed. (And, if you acquire an Angelique Coton of Pet/Companion quality, you will be asked to provide us with proof of your new puppy having been spayed or neutered - which is stipulated in our contract and limited registration.)

So, breeding didn't seem to be in the stars, so I just loved and enjoyed my two Cotons for seven years. Then I semi-retired, and moved to an acre property in the country. My passion for breeding had never waned, and the timing seemed propitious. That's when I got Sophie (2006), and Lily (2007).

• What's So Special About Coton's Temperament?

  First, they are not over breed. Coton de Tulears only arrived in the US in 1977. They are not part of the AKC, and many breeders do not want them to be. Coton de Tulear at-home-breeders, who sign the USACTA CODE of ETHICS, ensure that they will not be over breed, thus virtually eliminating hyper-activity. This keeps them healthy and less stressed. Being breed at home means their puppies are brought into this world in a peaceful, clean, loving environment. The puppy's parents were carefully chosen based on many key genetic factors to protect the breed's standards, health and temperament. Before they leave home to join their new families, they have begun to be socialized, mentally and physically stimulated in a variety of situations and people, transitioned to dog food, and potty training begun by the breeder. And unlike puppy mills, they are not taken from their "Mommy" too soon. All these factors enhance their already amazing temperament.

  At Angelique Coton, we make our own dog food, kept frozen and then warmed prior to feeding. We play classical music when away running errands, and in the whelping room. Our dogs are never put in a kennel. A dog sitter moves in, and stays home all day, playing with and taking care of our Cotons, thus not disrupting their routine and reducing the stress of our being away for a few days.

• Cotons Sound Too Good To Be True - What's The Down Side

" BRUSHING"

Coton de Tulear is French for "Cotton" of Tulear (a region in the South of French). Their hair feels like cotton, really! You have two choices. You can commit to taking your puppy to a good groomer every two weeks and keep her in apuppy cut (about 2 ½" long), or you can commit to brushing her every other day. But even if you decide to go the groomer route, you still have to brush her or him out, free of mats, before the appointment.

My first two Cotons, Ashton and Brandy, were kept in a puppy cut, and fortunately didn't need much brushing in between the two week standing appointment.

Now, with the two new girls, I brush them out every other day when watching TV on the sofa or in bed. I've also learned how to groom them myself. I realized the key to my success was having the right tools and equipment to perform the tasks properly. Now it is no big deal to groom them, and it is bonding time for each of us. We would be happy to recommend the special brush (magical really!) www. lespoochs.com (green one) and other things I use to make brushing, and or grooming a snap. So, don't adopt a Coton if you can't make this commitment to brushing. Your "baby" will be filled with mats, and then must be shaved, and everyone is miserable. Trust me.

" COMPANIONSHIP"

These babies need, and must have companionship. If you are gone for more than five hours a day, and your puppy or dog will be left alone, you should not get a Coton. They are people dogs. All the parts of their temperament that make them so special require companionship. All dogs need exercise. Just watch "The Dog Whisperer," on the Discovery Channel. Most of the dog problems are a function of being left alone too long, and little, if any exercise. These dogs love the outdoors and can walk forever! They may be small, but they are sturdy and great walking companions. I love the Rope-N-Go; it is a great harness, which eliminates choking around the neck area when the dog pulls ahead of you. www.ropengo.com

• Cotons And Retirees?

Absolutely!

I think retirees or people working part-time make the best Coton parents. I've been told that a Coton brought life back into a household, especially with empty nesters. I get calls from Café's and parks from my Coton's new adoptive parents telling me how happy they are now -- how they have learned which restaurants allow dogs on patios, how Brandy is in her car seat with the top down and loves to go Bye-Bye! I was even sent a photo of a Coton in a life preserver in a kayak paddling with her adoptive parent.

Ahhhh, it's a dog life after all!