Picking the Right Breeder

The Coton de Tulear remains a rare breed although it has been in the United States for over 25 years.  Breeding stock can be obtained from many countries in Europe as well as here in the United States and Canada.  The Coton is a healthy, beautiful, sweet and loving companion.  In the effort to keep it this way, each of us is responsible.

Because the Coton de Tulear is gaining in popularity and awareness of the breed is greater, breeding will increase to meet the demand.   Many people will view this high-priced dog as a potential for profit.  With the motivation of realizing financial gain, the priority tends to be money rather than breeding to improve the breed or to provide the best companion possible.  Choosing a breeder because the price is slightly cheaper, or because you will be able to get a puppy quicker, can have negative and lasting consequences.  The "breed-for-profit" breeder will not be as dedicated to keeping informed of the current issues facing the breed.  He/she will not be as concerned about testing the dogs for health or structure problems resulting in diminished quality of the puppies.  Perhaps he/she will not rest a female between seasons, requiring her to have puppies every six months.  He/she may ignore a timid or aggressive temperament, assuming that it will not be passed on; (there are now individuals known to bite).  Certainly, he/she will not pay a stud fee, trying to match a male to a female in order to improve on the stock he/she already has.   And chances are, he/she will not socialize your puppy as well as a more dedicated breeder would.  Whether or not you plan to breed, it would certainly be inappropriate to support a "backyard breeder" in breeding inferior dogs that may be bred by others in the same manner and thus bring down the quality of this wonderful breed.

You deserve to have the best possible puppy while knowing that you are not contributing by association, to the breeding of Cotons with temperament, health or other genetic problems.  There are no guarantees that an individual dog will not develop a problem, but a breeder willing to offer references and a health guarantee will help insure your satisfaction.  Please deliberate carefully on what questions you plan to ask your prospective breeder.  Knowing his or her priorities can give you peace of mind and help insure contentment with your next best friend.

Phyllis Blaha