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Coton de Tulear is a small breed that gained popularity as the perfect family dog. It loves children and is an excellent companion, but is it better than a Maltipoo, one of the most devoted, non-shedding, and entertaining pooches around?
If you want to find out which breed you should get, check out the following sections to learn more.
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Coton de Tulear and Maltipoo History
Cotons are small and fluffy dogs with a history that spans many centuries. They are native to Tulear, a region in Madagascar, but their actual origins are still unknown. They are believed to have been brought to the regions by sailors, who used to keep these dogs as their companions.
As they were small, they were highly portable and their devotion made them excellent partners at sea. They are part of the bichon family of breeds.
Maltipoos are essentially a hybrid between a Maltese and a Poodle, so they are not registered with the American Kennel Club, unlike Cotons de Tulear.
Poodle hybrids are extremely popular thanks to their numerous winning features, such as low-shedding coats, great personalities, and size variety. Its other parent, the Maltese, is native to the island of Malta, and is an excellent family dog, but not very tolerant of small kids.
Coton de Tulear vs. Maltipoo: What Are the Breeds Like?
Below, we’ll look at what these two breeds are like.
Appearance
Coton de Tulear is a small dog with fluffy, cotton-like fur, hence its name. The coat is long, thick, and usually white at maturity, but may have colored spots during puppyhood that fade out as they age. The Coton de Tulear adult dog usually reaches 10”-12” in height and 8-13 lbs in weight.
Maltipoos are hybrids, which means that there may be some variety in terms of appearance, based on the puppy’s parents. In general, they are no taller than 14,” which makes them a small breed. Their height also depends on genetics, ranging from 5 to 20 lbs. The coat can be wavy or curly, medium or long. In most cases, Maltipoos are cream or white, but some variations exist since it’s a crossbreed.
Life Expectancy and Aging Profile
Coton de Tulear is a small breed with a long lifespan compared to other breeds. When cared for, a Coton de Tulear can be your companion for as long as 19 years. They are generally healthy dogs with no genetic illnesses. The Maltipoo’s lifespan is also long, about 13-15 years. In general, crossbreeds are known to live longer than purebreds due to more genetic diversity.
Temperament
Coton de Tulears are well-balanced and highly adaptable. They are lap dogs, excellent companions no matter what you do, natural entertainers, and skilled therapy dogs. These pooches are generally quiet, but if they are having fun, they may get a bit loud.
They usually get along with all people and pets, and they are a popular choice among families with children. These dogs do not do well on their own, as they thrive when they are around their loving owner or family.
The Maltipoo is a gentle pup. Extremely lively, it is an affectionate lap dog, but equally loves tricks and entertaining its favorite humans. The Maltipoo often inherits the Poodle’s big heart and energy, while the affectionate, cuddly behavior comes from the Maltese. The breed is also alert and they make for good watchdogs, as they will bark at anything (suspicious or not), but are not aggressive, so they make quick friends with people and pets alike.
Intelligence
The Coton de Tulear is an intelligent, highly adaptable dog. They are perceptive and can be trained with ease, especially if you start from puppyhood. At the same time, Maltipoos are also easy to train and housebreak.
This is mostly because both breeds love to have your attention and are love-seeking. As long as you use positive training techniques and lots of praise, both breeds are easy to train and become well-rounded, well-mannered members of the family.
Coton de Tulear vs. Maltipoo: Which One Is Easier to Keep?
Next, we’ll look at which of these breeds is easier to keep.
Required Living Space
Cotons are fairly lively and love playing. The ideal environment should include a yard – even a very small one – where your Coton can play around and spend plenty of time being active. However, this pup may also adapt to apartment living, as long as you take it outside to burn some energy and have time for indoor playtime.
The Maltipoo is an indoor pooch – it will choose its own spot on the couch and will follow you around, no matter what you do. They are not very active and they do not necessarily have to go outdoors several times per day – so, living in a smaller place is quite ideal for this cuddly breed.
However, they are still quite energetic and require daily activity to stay healthy. These pooches love barking when something or someone is around, so you’ll need to focus on early training if you have neighbors that could be bothered by constant noise.
Grooming
The Coton de Tulear has a relatively long coat, which requires significant care to remain healthy and clean. Daily brushing is encouraged to avoid skin problems, mats, and tangles. Some owners prefer to opt for a puppy trim, in which the hair is kept short, so grooming is minimized.
Maltipoos are known for their low-shedding qualities, but they still require lots of care. This also depends on whether the fur is curly or wavy – curly hair is harder to care for and more prone to matting and tangling. In general, Maltipoos have a wooly coat, which is why it requires daily brushing.
Apart from this, both breeds require regular baths, trimmed nails, and daily teeth brushing. You should also inspect their ears regularly in case there is any wax buildup that could lead to infections.
Walking and Exercise
Coton de Tulear is a small-sized breed, but this doesn’t mean they don’t need daily activity to stay healthy. Short walks and playtime at home are some of the best activities for this dog, and more intense exercise or longer walking (such as hiking) is not recommended due to their small size.
Overall, Cotons are playful dogs, but the relatively low activity needs compared to other bigger breeds make them a great choice for seniors or people who can’t be very active.
The Maltipoo’s activity needs may slightly depend on each individual since it’s a hybrid, so it’s difficult to predict which parent it is likely to inherit. Some Maltipoos prefer cuddling and napping, while others are more active and need specific exercise to stay engaged and keep boredom at bay.
You should opt for at least one walk per day and some playtime at home. You could also discuss with your vet the dog’s specific activity requirements if you are unsure whether your dog exercises enough.
Coton de Tulear vs. Maltipoo: How Much Do They Cost?
If you are considering a pet for the first time, you should know there are multiple costs to be covered. For instance, the upfront cost of a purebred Coton de Tulear may range from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the breeder, location, and availability in your area. In some cases, you may also have to cover transportation costs if the breed is not available locally.
Hybrid pooches often cost less, and some Maltipoos may also be available in shelters. If adopted from a shelter, the cost may be as low as $400, while pets adopted from breeders may reach as much as $4,000.
Apart from the cost of the puppy, you should also expect other fees and charges, including vet checks, buying puppy supplies, toys, and many more throughout your pet’s life.
Coton de Tulear vs. Maltipoo: Which Should You Get as a Pet?
Choosing between a Coton de Tulear and Maltipoo can be difficult as they are both excellent family pets. Cotons are active and playful but don’t need much activity per day, which means that they will be definitely happy to cuddle and take a nap with you.
The breed is a popular choice among families with children – the small size is less likely to frighten a child, and they love playing with the little ones, so they are a great pick if you have a family or plan on having kids soon.
In addition to this, the loyalty and calm personality also make Cotons a great choice for seniors – especially as they do not require very intensive activity to stay healthy.
Maltipoos are also cuddly but playful, although not so good with children. They are quite fragile, so they can be easily hurt during rough playtime. The breed is quite friendly with other pets, easy to care for, and they are ideal for prospective owners with a lower budget, as hybrids tend to cost less than purebred puppies.
Both breeds are excellent picks regardless of your home. They can thrive in either a small apartment or a large country house – as long as you have enough free time to spend with them.
Summary
Coton de Tulear is an excellent companion if you want a small, playful, and loving dog. Maltipoos are great lap dogs with plenty of love to give. If you are looking for a smart and loving pup, these breeds are a great pick.
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