riginally from Madagascar, he was born in the 16th century. There are many legends have been told that sailors from Spain and Portugal (just to name a few) transported in their galleys small white curly dogs. These sailors left these little white dogs (Bichon type) on the island. As a result, they bred with dogs of this land and it was here that the ''Coton de Tulear'' was born; with characteristics of a cottony coat with high intelligence.

Time passed and the little Cotons became avid hunters and watch dogs. It is only near the end of the 19th century that they became a pet by the Colons who captured and domesticated them in order to use their qualities.

Overall the origin of this breed is very old, but they became know officially in 1975 by the ; ''Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)'' and it was just about this time that the first Cotons came to North America.

The Standard of the Coton de Tulear is written by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

In Canada, Coton de Tulear are registered with the Canine Federation of Canada
www.caninecanada.ca