The term “breed standard” refers to the description approved by the American Kennel Club confirmation structure.  The Coton was accepted in to the Miscellaneous Class in June 2013.  The Coton de Tulear is currently registered as a Foundation Stock Service (AKC FSS) breed, until it meets all of the qualifications to move out of the Misc Class into a permanently identified group. The future class assignment of the Coton will be the Non-Sporting Group.
 
The current standard is displayed on the AKC website, below are the basics, and should not be considered not an all-inclusive list for show purposes. For people acquiring a Coton solely for companionship, this list is only a guideline, as Cotons come with all kinds of color markings. Tri-colored or solid white the Coton’s loving and sweet personality will remain the same. 
 
LIFESPAN: Cotons are known for their long lives, they average between 15 – 19 years. 
 
HEIGHT:  9-10” and females; 10-11 inches for males.
 
WEIGHT:  8-13 pounds for females; 9-15 for males.
 
PROPORTION:  1/3 tall and 2/3’s long.
 
HEAD:  Is short and triangular with eyes rounded. Eyes must be dark brown or black, set wide. The ears should be set above the eyes, triangular; ends near lips. The nose is completely black, rounded, and triangle shaped.
 
TEETH:  Bite must be level or scissors without losing contact.
 
BODY:  The topline smooth from shoulders to loin, then arches, resulting in a low tail set. The chest  is well developed, with well sprung ribs and a pronounced protruding fore chest bone. The tail must be low set, carried down at rest, curved over the back on the run; can touch  back, but not a tight curl. Legs should be straight, no bow or curve; muscular hind legs.
 
COAT:  Should be very soft, supple, dense; may be slightly wavy.
 
PIGMENT:  The eyes are dark brown or black.  The nose, lips, and pads of the feet are required to be black with no spotting, commonly called “pink breaks”.
 
COLOR:  (As puppies, the skin will be pink or spotted and the coat is white or a variety of colors. Most of the color on the body will fade in the first year, but skin spots remain. After about 7-8 years of age, the top coat color will start to return, if the dog was born as a tri, with black, dark reds or other dark markings.) Ears are allowed to retain color separate from the percentage of color allowed on the body.  The ears will fade, but commonly retain some color of light grey, tan or tips on the ends. 

*General Breed Standard
The standard listed here is meant only as a casual reference guide. For specific guidelines for  showing or breeding you may visit the AKC website or the UKC website, as all of our dogs are registered with both.