Coton De Tulear vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison

Coton De Tulear vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed ComparisonCoton De Tulear is originated from Madagascar but West Highland White Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Both Coton De Tulear and West Highland White Terrier are of same height. Both Coton De Tulear and West Highland White Terrier are having almost same weight. Both Coton De Tulear and West Highland White Terrier has same life span. Both Coton De Tulear and West Highland White Terrier has almost same litter size. Coton De Tulear requires Low maintenance. But West Highland White Terrier requires High maintenance

History

coton de tulear - historyThese 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.

west highland white terrier - historyThe West highland white terrier originated from Poltalloch in Scotland. So they were initially called as Poltalloch terrier and after that they were called as Roseneath terrier. They were initially used for hunting fox, badger, otter and in killing the vermin like rats.

The breed history says that Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch was the reason for the Westie's white colour. This is because in 19th centuryhe went for hunting with his dogs and accidentally he shot his dog as its colour was as fox. So he decided to breed only white colour dogs.

Description

coton de tulear puppy - descriptionThese 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.

If you want puppies, you can expect yours to deliver between 4 – 6 puppies.

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.

Temperament:

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.

west highland white terrier puppy - descriptionThe Westie can be said as that a small dog having the talents of the big dog. They are very popular for their obedience. They are also working as therapy dogs and also some in search and rescue teams. The home having Westie will have fun always and be enthusiastic. They will suit them for country or city living, but they like to live with their family. They are well suitable for apartment living, but some training should be given to them for not barking. They can stay in home when you are at work. Westie can be taken to travel, whether it may be long vacation or a short visit.

They are quick learners and so training them is not difficult. Mistakes of them can be corrected patiently since they don't like harsh activities against them. Westie will definitely bark when he sees something or hear different sounds. He will bark on seeing visitors or even other dogs. Sometimes they will bark for very silly things but when given appropriate training in their young stage, they can bark only for alerts.

Characteristics

coton de tulear dog - characteristicsThe 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.

Children friendliness

west highland white terrier dog - characteristicsThe Westie is friendly with children but not all the time. So some care should be taken while they are near children.

Special talents

They like to chase rodents like rabbits as they are interested in hunting.

Adaptability

They are suitable for apartment living unless they are left alone for a very long time. They love cold weather more than hot.

Learning ability

They can be trained by giving some extra efforts.

Health Problems

coton de tulear puppies - health problemsWith 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 -

Dental Disease:

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.

west highland white terrier puppies - health problemsItchy skin and pyoderma are common in terriers. Skin diseases such as Seborrhea and epidermal dysplasia are also found in them.

Hair fall

Westies have possibilities of getting yeast infections in skin[Malassezia Dermatitis] and due to that hair loss will be more.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

coton de tulear dogs - caringCoton 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.

Grooming

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.

Training:

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.

Feeding the puppy

west highland white terrier dogs - caringThe puppy should be fed 3 to 4 times per day as it requires a considerable amount for their growth. Cooked chicken breast and turkey are best for them and also vegetables should be given to them. Beef and chicken should be kept a limit as it will lead to itchy skin and allergies.

Feeding the adult

The preferable food for the Westie is home cooked. The home food will only contain all the essential nutrients for the Westie.

Points for Good Health

Eventhough the Westie is suitable for apartment living it is recommended to have a daily walk for him to be active and refreshing.

Games and Exercises

They should be made to play for atleast 30 minutes per day for their health as to not gain overweight. Grown up children can play with them as they like it.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Madagascar
United Kingdom
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
7 - 10 kg
15 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
6 - 7 kg
13 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
3 - 7
Size:
Small dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Cotie, Coton
Westie or Westy
Colors Available:
fawn, black and white, apricot, White
White
Coat:
Medium to long - can be straight , wavy or curly
‎Double
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Friendly, Independent
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Mal-Shi vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  2. Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  3. Coton De Tulear vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  4. Japanese Spitz vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  5. Malti-Pom vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  6. PekePoo vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  7. Schipperke vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  8. Fruggle vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  9. Schweenie vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  10. Lhasapoo vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  11. Meliteo Kinidio vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  12. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  13. Prazsky Krysarik vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  14. Pugalier vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  15. Kyi-Leo vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  16. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  17. Muggin vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  18. Pomeranian vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  19. Maltese vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  20. Pug vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  21. Maltipoo vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  22. Dachshund vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  23. Jack Russell Terrier vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  24. Miniature Schnauzer vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  25. Boston Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Jack Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Border Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Rat Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Scottish Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Australian Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Patterdale Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. American Hairless Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Bull Terrier Miniature vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Norwich Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Norfolk Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. English White Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Parson Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Feist vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Manchester Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Fox Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Cesky Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Schnorkie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Sealyham Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Chilean Fox Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds