This breed is thought to have originated from a group of small white dogs that swam across the Malagasy channel following a shipwreck.

[1] Known for its cotton-like coat, the Coton de Tuléar typically grows to no more than 18 pounds (8.2 kg), and is white, sometimes with grey, tan, black, or tri-colored markings.

Multiple registries with differing standards describe the Coton de Tuléar, but it generally has very soft voluptuous hair (as opposed to fur),[2] comparable to a cotton ball (hence its name in French, coton meaning cotton), a prominent black nose, large expressive eyes (usually covered by bangs), and somewhat short legs.

The Coton de Tuléar has a medium-to-long, fluffy, cotton-like coat that is considered hair rather than fur.

The breed even has a fade gene that causes the colors, which are very dark when a puppy, to fade and turn white at the base of the hair as it lengthens; that is why the Champagne or Champagne Teddy Bear Coton eventually turns white when the adult hair comes in.)

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard specifies that the Coton's coat should be white but may also have tan or "lemon" color on their ears and body.

The US-based Coton de Tuléar Club of America allows for three different but equally favorable colorings: white, black-and-white, and tri-color, including "honey bear".

Black-and-white is defined as pure white with prominent black patches on the head and body (no white-to-black ratio is specified or favored).

A honey bear tri-color has light brown with black tips that gradually fades to an off-white or lemon color.

The long-limbed Tall Coton shows up in all three color varieties and can be born to a litter with normal-sized parents that carry the appropriate genes.

However, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard, which also favors a black nose, states that brown is tolerable as well.

[8] The tail is traditionally low-set and tapering, carried over the back when in motion or excited, but relaxed otherwise.

The Coton has a coat that requires brushing and combing almost daily and bathing about once per week to maintain its beauty.

Cotons need a walk every day for exercise but will appreciate a play session as often as possible and have the endurance to go on a long hike.

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 14.2 years from a sample size of 44 dogs for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

This small, friendly dog caught the fancy of the Malagasy royalty, and they became the only people allowed to keep Cotons.

In 1974, Madagascar released a stamp with the image of the Coton, affirming their status as the nation's "royal dog".

In the United States, another standard for the Coton de Tuléar was developed based upon the breed in Madagascar in 1974 by a biologist, Dr. Robert Jay Russell.