MyDogBreeds
Coton De Tulear is originated from Madagascar but Austrailian Blue Heeler is originated from Australia. Coton De Tulear may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Austrailian Blue Heeler. Coton De Tulear may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Austrailian Blue Heeler. Both Coton De Tulear and Austrailian Blue Heeler has same life span. Both Coton De Tulear and Austrailian Blue Heeler has almost same litter size. Coton De Tulear requires Low maintenance. But Austrailian Blue Heeler requires High maintenance
These cute little Coton de Tulear dogs originate from Madagascar and have in fact been named the ‘official dog of Madagascar’.
The Coton de Tulear actually takes his name from the seaport city of Tulear. In the 1970s a Frenchman brought a puppy to France, with the idea of establishing them as a breed. It was also at this time that the dogs were brought to North America.
This small fluffy white dog was also found on the island of Malta, becoming known as the Maltese. They were mated with other dogs such as the Barbet, a curly haired dog and other coat colors exist such as apricot, black and white and fawn. Other breedings led to the Barbichon family of dogs which includes the Bichon Bolognese and the Bichon Teneriffe. The modern day breeds are the Maltese and the Coton de Tulear.
As with many dog breeds, there are different tales about the origin of the dogs and one version is that the white cotton-ball type of dog survived a shipwreck off the Madagascar coast.
In 1840, George Elliott made a match with Australian Dingo and Collie and got a clever and very active dog breed – Australian Blue Heeler. Soon, he showed his good herding instincts and protective nature and got really popular among the cattlemen and ranchers. Soon, as the USA soldiers arrived in Australia, they decided that it will be a great dog to bring home.
Australian Blue Heeler has short, double coat. The coat is water resistant and helps them when the temperature is too high as well. Their coat is rough to the touch, naturally. They can be found in blue or red coat colour mix. The Blue Heeler isn’t actually blue, but their black coat has a bluish tint. Red Heelers have red fur instead of black. They have long tails, strong legs, Dingo-like heads with pointy ears and muscular necks and balanced and athletic bodies.
These little dogs make perfect companions. They stand about 25–30cm with the female sometimes being slightly smaller. They weigh anything between 3 – 6kg. They’re robust little canines and can live up to 19 years or so when looked after well.
The Coton de Tulear is easily recognized because of his soft, fluffy coat. Many people take their dogs to the dog salon to have him washed and his hair trimmed. His legs are short and straight as well as being muscled under the hair. The ears are floppy and the tail of the Coton de Tulear is carried straight or slightly curved.
The Coton de Tulear is a friendly, affectionate dog who has a gentle, cuddly side to him. They are social dogs and get on well with their human family and with the children in the home, loving the games they provide.
He will also get on well with other pets in the home and becomes amicable, relaxed and obedient with socialization and training. Small though he is, he makes a great watchdog too and is full of tricks, making him an entertaining pet to have around.
This breed is somehow designed for an outdoor life and outdoor activity. This implies that Blue Heelers have nature made of the high dose of energy. They are always ready to go anywhere you go, and they will be a loyal friend. They are actually very clever, intelligent and ready to help.
If you are a type of the person who prefers being indoors and having minimal physical activity, Blue heelers are not the type of a furry companion for you. They have a high daily need for the activity, and they love having lots of space to run and explore. Sometimes, you will realize that having a leash is a must because they will get so playful that they will forget about you!
If you start teaching them to be friendly with other dogs while they are still pups, they will accept that kind of lifestyle. But, if your Blue Heeler is raised as the only dog on the ranch, note that they won’t be very friendly toward other dogs.
Since most of the herd dogs usually respond to only one person, most of the Blue Heelers can follow this old instinct. They can be very independent, as well, and they are usually not the type of the dog that will always be around your leg waiting for a cuddle or ear scratch. But, they build the respect towards humans depending on how they treat him so they can be very lovable and friendly pets.
If you are still confused about their name, you must know that the Blue Heelers can actually lightly nip your heel for attention. They are not aggressive, but they tend to be very protective of the family, humans around them and their property.
The Coton de Tulear just wants to please his human family and spend unforgettable moments with them, hating to be separated from them. He is such an adaptable little dog and will fit well into city- as well as country life.
He is smart, comical, playful, independent and fun to have around as he is known for his clownish personality. Treat him well and he’ll repay you with plenty of love and loyalty.
They are generally good with children, but you must be aware of their inherent desire to herd. Always supervise when your Blue Heeler is around small children.
Ball tricks, frisbee fun, running companion, herding cattle.
It is best to buy a puppy. These dogs get attached to one human and to the territory.
They are generally quick learners. If you teach them to be playful, friendly and loving, they will learn it in no time. So be aware of the decisions that can cost you when the dog grows up.
With proper care, your Coton can reach a ripe old age of 15 – 20 years of age. However, even this robust little dog will need to be watched, as he can fell prey to some common dog ailments -
Bad Breath with your pet can be a sign of dental decay. Dental plaque for instance, caused by bacteria, can give your pet a terrible breath. It is important to brush your pet’s teeth 2 or 3x a week. Your vet can provide tips on how to brush your pet’s teeth with a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste.
Other things to look out for are hip dysplasia and chronic allergies. Allergies can cause itchy and dry skin as well as ear infections because of so much hair being in the ear canal. Speak to your vet about how to clean your pet's ears to avoid ear infection.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy usually causes slow and painless loss of sight. This process takes years, but there are cases where this disease took only months before the dog ended up completely blind.
It is advisable to take your Blue Heeler to the vet for a test that can tell you if your dog is carrying the gene for this disease.
Lens luxation is a disease where the lens of dog’s eye separates partially or completely. Good news is that this disease can be treated.
Most common is the hip or elbow dysplasia. This is the disease where hip joints do not develop properly and begin to grind. This condition can sometimes be treated with physiotherapy, but there is a chance that your Blue Heeler will need a surgery. If you have a habit of regular vet checks and keeping your dog slim and fed with quality food, you can a make a big difference.
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) causes the dog to have excess cartilage and deficient bone, where cartilage does not get replaced by bone during fetal development. This disease usually requires surgery and prescribed medicines.
Congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness – CHSD is a common form of deafness.
Bilateral deafness can be identified when the dog is still a puppy, more-less at six weeks of age. A puppy with deafness in only one ear is harder to identify, but it can happen.
Portosystemic shunt means that the blood flow is getting back into the bloodstream instead of passing through the liver. That means that liver can’t clear out the toxins, and the organ itself fails to grow properly. This inherited type of shunt can be treated with surgery if the diagnose is set on time.
Coton de Tulears will need some exercise if you want him to remain lean and fit. It is important to provide exercise and games for your dog to prevent boredom. Activity levels for any dog, including the Coton, will depend on his age and health.
A walk every day and some ball games will keep your pet happy and prevent him from resorting to destructive behavior from sheer boredom and frustration.
The long coat will require some careful grooming and you will need to be on the lookout for excess hair around the paws and in the ears.
He is not a great shedder and brushing twice a week will remove loose hairs and provides the perfect opportunity to check for fleas and ticks.
Just like any other dog, your Coton de Tulear will need a warm, dry place to sleep. If you haven’t already invested in a doggy basket or dog bed, you can use a cardboard box for now, before making up your mind what you want for your pet.
A well behaved, obedient dog is a pleasure for everyone, and training and socialization is important, even for a small dog. Your dog will understand simple commands such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘come’ and also know how to walk well on a leash.
Choose a dog food that will provide nutrients that will help in the bone developing. Since they are more likely to suffer from joint diseases, you must take this advice seriously. It would be great if you speak about this with your vet before you choose food on your own.
The best food for Blue Heeler is a high-quality food which supplies them with premium nutrition to fuel their activity.
They also drink a lot of water, so be sure that they always have a fresh water available.
Lots and lots of the outdoor activity and a quality food. You must be very cautious because this kind of dogs gets overweight easily because they just love the treats and extra food portion.
Any outdoor activity that is mentally challenging and interesting enough to keep them from running in the field trying to catch anything that moves.