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Some TEMPERAMENT CONSIDERATIONS... Since 1996, a growing number of aggressive Cotons have been reported. Also, some Cotons may not do well with small children, but will prove wonderful companions. Please check with your breeder to determine the temperament history of his/her bloodlines. If a breeder has little knowledge of the bloodlines of the parents of his/her puppies, you may want to make further inquiries into their heritage. If a breeder is evasive on this or any other issue, it is time to find another breeder. We have learned that some exhibitor/breeders who have and/or who produce aggressive Cotons (not with the CTCA) are spreading stories that Cotons are "naturally" bitey and aggressive. These are dangerous lies.
We recommend that you DEMAND a written guarantee from your breeder that your full purchase price will be refunded should your Coton be diagnosed with genetic idiopathic aggression within 12 and preferably 18 months of your purchase.
Note: ALL dogs of ANY breed can be territorial and protective, so ALL dogs should be socialized as a pup and trained as a juvenile. In general, a Coton de Tulear may be slightly reserved and may bark at the approach of strangers, but they are characteristically unaggressive and laid-back. Inappropriate aggression directed towards other dogs or directed towards people may be related and are most likely genetic.
If you have a Coton and are seeing behavior in your Coton that troubles you in any way, please let your breeder know! The CTCA is conducting an investigation of Coton temperament. If you'd like to help us, drop us a line: cotonnews@aol.com
For an in depth, understandable explanation of exactly what aggression is (behaviorally, genetically and what to do about it), please refer to the "The Official Coton de Tulear Book, 2nd Edition" CD Rom, available from the CTCA; to learn more, please click here.
Where do you want to go from here? Got to a list of CTCA Code of Ethics Breeders: The BREEDERs LIST Go to: COTON NEWS MAIN MENU
Or, explore another topic: | Intro to the Breed | Pictures of Cotons | a Brief History of the Breed | The Standard | The Code of Ethics | Coton Headline News | Opinions and Editorials | Questions and Answers | Breeding & Genetics | How To Register Your Coton | Coton Mystery Fiction | Contact the CTCA! | THE Book & the Coton Newsletter | Explore Coton Cyberspace! |Please inform the CTCA should any of your interactions with breeders prove noteworthy. Go to: Contact the CTCA!
Title and contents of The Coton de Tulear News & Information Network © 1996-2005, the Coton de Tulear Club of America, all rights reserved. Celebrating the CTCA's 30th Anniversary in 2006.