Adorable Coton de Tulear Dog Goes To ‘Air Jail’ For Being a Royal Pain In The Butt

Does your dog ever get so focused on doing something naughty that they seem to forget every word they know? Kiwi, the adorably fluffy mischief maker in the TikTok below, sometimes lets her antics get the better of her. In this video, you can see Kiwi’s human putting her in “air jail” after she decided to take on a much bigger dog and then attempting to turn a dead rat into an afternoon snack. Yuck!

Even being in air jail doesn’t stop Kiwi from being on the lookout for trouble—she has her head on a swivel just in case something interesting is nearby. Of course, being carried isn’t all bad. Not only does Kiwi get a better view of the neighborhood she can also rest her feet while her human does all the work. What a princess!

Adorable Coton de Tulear Dog Goes To ‘Air Jail’ For Being a Royal Pain In The Butt
@coton_kiwi knowing there wont be any repercussions for her actions #cotondetulear #cutedoglife ♬ La La La LaLaLaLa – I Green Screen Things

So, would you believe that a little dog that likes to get into this much trouble was once one of the most coveted possessions of nobility and aristocrats on the island of Madagascar? Until the 1960s, “common folk” couldn’t get their hands on one of these adorable, spunky little dogs. Now, anyone can own a Royal Dog of Madagascar—but what does it take to give these regal dogs a good home? 

Meet 5 Coton de Tulear Dogs from Instagram

Given their name for their cotton-like white fluffy fur, Coton de Tulear dogs are just adorable little clouds! Let’s meet a handful of these royal pups whose humans have thankfully made Instagram accounts for them so we can admire their beauty. 

1. Siberia & Benito

Siberia and Benito are two adorable Cotons de Tulear from Abruzzo, Italy, and they’re both dog show champions! A pair of good-looking dogs, Siberia and Benito have even had puppies of their own, and they’re just as cute as their parents. 

2. Alvin & Samu

Alvin and Samu are Cotons de Tulear from Finland who are showing off their speed! Can you believe the camera could even capture them going this fast? 

3. Klara

Adorable Coton de Tulear Dog Goes To ‘Air Jail’ For Being a Royal Pain In The Butt
Source: @Klara.Coton

Adorable Klara is a seven-year-old Coton de Tulear from Norway who loves going on outdoor adventures, especially if she gets to come along for a boat trip or seaside walk. Rain, shine, or snow, Klara is up for anything!

4. Hugo

Nine-year-old Hugo from Finland is showing off how the Coton de Tulear fur can get a little annoying if you need to see. Hugo’s humans keep his fur out of his eyes with a clip or a bow, but sometimes he likes to let his bangs be natural, even if they obstruct his vision. 

5. Latte

If you’re wondering whether Cotons de Tulear need to be groomed, they do! Look at the difference in Latte’s fur before and after a visit to the groomer, a bath, and a trim. 

Coton de Tulear Basic Info

Legend has it that Coton de Tulear dogs found their way to the island of Madagascar after surviving a shipwreck sometime in the 16th century. After making it ashore, these small white fluffy dogs formed packs in the dense jungle and Cotons de Tulear were essentially feral until the late 18th or early 19th century. A French zoologist visiting Madagascar in the 19th century observed that the Coton de Tulear dogs were “poor starving animals that roam in villages, fighting for the most squalid pig’s garbage, or that go away in the bush where they survive on their hunting as wild animals.” 

Even as they hunted for food and scrapped to survive in the jungle, the telltale characteristics of Coton de Tulear dogs remained the same: they stayed small, white, and fluffy. Thanks to their total isolation, there were no other dog breeds to mix with, preventing any kind of genetic diversity. 

After more than two centuries as feral dogs, the monarchs of the Merina people—the largest ethnic group in Madagascar—took a liking to the Coton de Tulear, and made them a status symbol. It is even rumored that laws were passed making it illegal for “commoners” to own a Coton de Tulear on the island of Madagascar.  

When French tourists began visiting Madagascar in the 1960s, they took a liking to the little white dogs and began exporting them to Europe and abroad where they became an instant hit among dog lovers. “Coton de Tulear” is French, and means “The Cotton of/from Tulear.” The dogs were named for their fluffy white coats and the coastal city of Tulear, Madagascar, which today is called Toliara. 

Celebs Who Own Coton de Tulears

Coton de Tulear dogs have wonderful personalities that have made them popular with dog lovers worldwide, including some celebrities! Barbra Streisand was so obsessed with her Coton de Tulear that she has it cloned—which I wouldn’t recommend doing, but people truly fall in love with these pups. 

Coton de Tulear Dog

Cotons de Tulear are playful, energetic, intelligent companion dogs who show remarkable eagerness to please and enthusiasm without being pushy or demanding. Scrappy and sometimes a little rough and tumble, Cotons de Tulear dogs are confident little dogs who love to be social and in the center of the action. 

Though they love to play and get outside, Cotons de Tulear are also true lap dogs who love to snuggle and lounge with their humans. Wonderful family dogs who are great with kids, Coton de Tulear enjoy high activity levels and households with lots of play. 

Because they are so social, some Cotons de Tulear can become overly attached to their family members and might be described as velcro dogs. Crate training with lots of positive reinforcement can help to reduce anxiety when left alone, and Cotons de Tulear are generally easy to train

Some Cotons de Tulear can be territorial and prone to resource guarding. Other Cotons de Tulear dogs may be dog-selective, and some prefer to be the only dog in the home. Some can be a little mouthy, and their independent and protective nature can become reactivity without proper training and socialization. 

Coton de Tulear Size

Coton de Tulear Dog

We know they’re small dogs, but how big does a Coton de Tulear get? On average, Coton de Tulear dogs stand 9–12 inches tall and weigh 8–13 pounds, but some may weigh as much as 15 pounds or more. 

Coton de Tulear Health

Cotons de Tulear have few genetic ailments but are prone to a few health issues particularly as they age, including:

  • Eye and vision problems (e.g. progressive retinal atrophy)
  • Joint problems (e.g. luxating patellas, hip and elbow dysplasia)
  • Back problems (e.g. spinal disc disease)
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Heart conditions

Where To Find Coton de Tulear Puppies for Sale

Finding a high-quality ethical breeder is one of the most important things you can do if you plan to buy a purebred dog. Choosing the right breeder means getting a healthy puppy, and you can avoid contributing to the pet overpopulation issue by staying clear of puppy mills and backyard breeders. 

Coton de Tulear Dog

Before you google “Coton de Tulear breeders near me,” check out the United States Coton de Tulear Club breeder directory and website, here you can also find Coton de Tulear rescue resources. Coton de Tulear rescue dogs are uncommon, and you won’t find Coton de Tulear adoption resources in every state. Still, it’s always worth trying to adopt if it’s an option, and you might just find a different dog you fall in love with on the journey. 

Coton de Tulear FAQ

How do you pronounce Coton de Tulear? 

Propper Coton de Tulear pronunciation is derived from French and can be a little tough to say at first. Try sounding it out with this phonetic spelling: KOH-TOHN du Too-lee-YAIR.

Do Coton de Tulear shed? 

Yes, but only a little. Cotons de Tulear shed mildly year-round but also experience occasional periods of heavier shedding. Coton de Tulear dogs need regular grooming, and you may want to work Coton de Tulear haircuts into your budget since their fur can get up to 6 inches long. 

Are Coton de Tulear hypoallergenic? 

If they don’t shed very much, are Coton de Tulear dogs hypoallergenic? Unfortunately no, Cotons de Tulear are not hypoallergenic. Because they are a relatively low-shedding breed, some people with allergies to dog dander specifically may react less to Coton de Tulear dogs, but they are not hypoallergenic. 

How much does a Coton de Tulear cost? 

A Madagascar Coton de Tulear for sale typically costs between $1,500–$3,000. Remember that Coton de Tulear prices are determined in part by breed rarity and that you shouldn’t compare the cost to more common breeds even if they seem similar. 

Are Coton de Tulear aggressive dogs? 

No, Coton de Tulear dogs are not inherently aggressive. This breed can be territorial and protective, which can turn into reactivity if not properly addressed with training and early socialization. 

Coton de Tulear vs Bichon Frise—what’s the difference? 

Are Coton de Tulear dogs and Bichon Frises the same breed? Why do they look so similar? What about the Coton de Tulear vs Maltese? They look pretty similar, too!

So, what breed is a Coton de Tulear most similar to? 

Coton de Tulear, Bichon Frise, and Maltese dogs all come from a common ancestor: the Barbichon! Barbichon dogs are a now-extinct breed, but thanks to them, we now have offshoots like the Coton de Tulears. While Coton De Tulear, Bichon Frise, and Maltese are all distinct breeds, they each branch from the common Barbichon and are basically cousins. 

What is a Cotondoodle? 

A Cotondoodle is a mix of Poodle and Coton de Tulear

Are Coton de Tulear dogs recognized by the AKC? 

Yes. The American Kennel Club recognized the Coton de Tulear as an official breed in 2014.