Page 3 of 4
ground from any angle. Dewclaws - Dewclaws may be left natural or may be removed. Feet - The feet are small and round. Toes - The toes are tight and arched. Pads - The pads are completely pigmented black. Coat: This is one of the main characteristics of the breed from which its very name derives. The coat is very soft and supple, with the texture of cotton. It is never hard or rough. The coat is dense, profuse and can be very slightly wavy. A puppy coat is much softer in texture than an adult coat. Severe Fault -Atypical hair or hair that is tightly curled, wooly or silky. Skin - The skin is fine and stretched tight all over the body. Although of pink color, it can be pigmented. Color: Coat color is white. On the ears - A few slight shadings of light grey (mixture of white and black hairs) or of light tan (mixture of white and light tan hairs) are permitted on the ears. These shadings are only tolerated but are not desirable. Exception - Ears are not considered when applying the excess of 5 percent color to the body as a serious fault. On the body - Light tan shadings (mixture of white and light tan hairs) are permitted on 5 percent of the body of an adult Coton over 12 months of age. These light tan shadings may appear in one area of the coat or scattered throughout the coat. These shadings should never be so intense or deep in color or be so heavily marked on the coat that they alter the overall appearance of a white coat. When all other considerations are equal, the judge should give preference to the dog whose coat has the most amount of white. Severe Fault- Any color, except 5 percent of light tan (mixture of white and light tan hair) appearing in one area of the coat or scattered throughout the coat is a severe fault in an adult Coton over 12 months of age. Exception: Puppy Color - does not apply to puppies with color under 12 months of age. Puppies with color under 12 months of age may have the acceptable colors of light tan, light brown, dark brown, chestnut or grey on the body and head. These colors have the potential to fade to the acceptable 5 percent allowance by one year of age and should not be penalized. Disqualification - Black on the body is a disqualification at any age. Gait: When trotting the gait is a moderate free and easy movement. The top line is retained on the move. There should be no sign of uneven movement. Temperament: Of a happy temperament, stable, very sociable with humans and other dogs, adapting perfectly to all ways of life. The temperament of the Coton de Tulear is one of the main characteristics of the breed. Presentation: The dog must be shown as naturally as is consistent with good grooming. His coat should be clean and free of mats. In mature specimens, the length of coat may cause it to fall to either side down the back but it should not appear to be artificially parted. The long, untrimmed head furnishings may fall forward over the eyes, or be brushed backwards over the skull. The hair on the very bottom of the feet and between the pads may be trimmed. Any other trimming or sculpting of the coat or any grooming which alters the natural appearance is to be severely penalized. Faults: Any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. A tail that does not reach the hock; a tail that has a complete curl (loop); a gay tail; a tail that is carried completely flat over the body (snap tail). A dip behind shoulder blades or a steep or flat croup is to be penalized. Severe Faults: A wheel back or flat back are to be severely penalized. An overly large or bulging eye is a severe fault as is an almond shaped, obliquely set eye. Atypical hair or hair that
Powered by FlippingBook