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If you are seeking a loving, charming pet, the Coton de Tulear may suit you well. It has everything it takes to adapt to just about any lifestyle, is loving, and friendly, and is a great choice if you have other pets in your household.
However, if this toy breed is not exactly what you need, read on to find out what alternatives you have as we introduce you to the six other bichon-type breeds, as well as the six best non-bichon-type alternatives to Coton de Tulear.
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Coton de Tulear’s Family: The Six Other Bichon-Type Breeds
The Bichon family includes seven breeds, although many people mistakenly identify them as bichon frises. However, there are significant differences in terms of appearance, temperament, and needs between them.
The six other bichon-type breeds similar to Coton de Tulear are the Bichon Frise, Havanese, Maltese, Bolognese, Lowchen, and Bolonka.
If you want a companion dog, choosing one of these is a great idea as all of them have been bred for this very purpose. They are affectionate lap dogs, very loyal to their human family, and usually thrive in households when there is always someone at home to care for them. If you want a small dog that looks similar to a Coton de Tulear, these six bichon-type breeds are an excellent place to start your search.
6 Best Non-Bichon-Type Alternatives to Coton de Tulear
There are many other small dogs similar to the Coton de Tulear that do not belong to the Bichon family. Below, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular alternatives to this breed and why you should consider them.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is a breed native to Tibet and has been around for many hundreds of years. It was a royal companion dog, so it loves pampering and is mainly an indoor pup.
The long, lush coat is quite difficult to care for, as you need to opt for daily brushing if you prefer to keep the coat long.
In terms of personality, this noble dog is playful, confident, and extremely loving. The small size makes it great for just about any home, including small apartments.
Learn more about how the Coton de Tulear and Shih Tzu compare
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a small but sturdy dog that comes from the region of what’s now known as Germany and Poland. This breed has been called the “ideal pet” many times – with a fox-like face, bold personality, and a tiny body, the Pom has a big-dog temperament and plenty of love to give.
These pups are very easy to train. It’s also a great watchdog and may be a suitable dog for a family with kids, as long as the kids are older and will treat this fragile pooch with plenty of care.
Pomeranians are quite active, but small walks or indoor playtime will be sufficient to keep them healthy and happy, given their small stature. It can master lots of tricks and loves to entertain its family.
Japanese Spitz
Native to Japan, the Japanese Spitz is a white, fluffy dog similar to Coton de Tulear.
The dog was developed in the cold and snowy regions of Japan, so its coat is thick and luscious. The breed is an indoor pet, so there is nothing that makes them happier than spending time at home with their family. The energy level is moderate, so it can easily adapt to any type of household. It makes quick friends with respectful children and other pets.
West Highland
The West Highland terrier, also known as Westie, is a small breed native to Scotland. The breed has a medium-length white coat, a strong, muscular build, and a short, thick tail.
Westies are confident but, unlike other bichon-like breeds, they were bred to hunt. They love staying busy and are excellent watchdogs. It is not the best choice for a family with small kids – this dog doesn’t stand being roughly handled or pulled and pushed, and can be quite territorial with its food and toys.
Other than that, Westies are very sociable, but not highly recommended to first-time pet owners as they can be quite stubborn. As it was born to hunt, the prey drive is quite high, so it may not be the best choice if you have small pets at home. Other than that, it loves chasing balls, barks quite a lot, and may dig holes – thanks to its skills as a hunter.
American Eskimo
The American Eskimo looks similar to a miniature husky. It is native to America’s Midwest, where it was bred as a farm dog. The breed comes in three size varieties, but all purebred puppies have a white coat regardless of their size.
This breed is active and playful, so it’s a great choice for an active owner. It is alert and curious, but quite wary of strangers.
Eskies are family dogs, very loyal, and must be with their best friend at all times. They are intelligent but may be quite stubborn at times and prone to excessive barking – which may make them excellent watchdogs. Like all intelligent breeds, it needs to stay busy all the time, otherwise, it will find its own fun activities – such as digging around or chewing your belongings.
Toy Poodle
Poodles are extremely varied, so it’s quite difficult not to find one that suits your needs. They usually have a curly, wooly coat and a confident posture. The breed is loyal and highly affectionate, and you can find them in any size you want, ranging from toy or miniature poodles to standard size.
In general, poodles love to be at the center of your attention. They are also smart and relatively easy to train. These pooches often do well with kids and can adapt to any household size.
Learn more about how the Coton de Tulear and Poodle compare
Coton de Tulear Mixed Breeds
There are many alternatives when it comes to Coton de Tulear mixed breeds. Some people prefer adopting a hybrid rather than a purebred puppy, as it is often cheaper and healthier than purebred ones. You may also be able to find a mixed breed at your local shelter – which is a great opportunity to save a life and get a loving family member.
When adopting a Coton de Tulear mixed breed, it’s nearly impossible to know exactly what your hybrid pooch will look like at maturity. Most often, they inherit a combination of traits from their parents. Most prospective owners prefer seeing the parents (or at least the mother) before adopting, as this may give a better idea of what their pooch will look like at maturity.
One of the most popular Coton de Tulear mixed breeds is the Coton Tzu – which, as the name suggests, is a mix between the Coton de Tulear and the Shih Tzu. Other alternatives you may want to check out include the Lhasa Coton, a combination of Coton de Tulear with Lhasa Apso, and the Yorkie-Ton, which is mixed with Yorkshire Terrier.
Summary
All in all, whether you decide to adopt a Coton de Tulear, a bichon-type alternative, or a non-bichon-type alternative, there are many options you should consider. In the end, regardless of which breed you choose, plenty of love and early training will ensure you raise a well-mannered adult dog.
Coton de Tulear mixed breeds are also a great opportunity to consider if you can’t decide on a single breed, so you can get the best of both worlds.
Whether you are looking for food for your dog or other pet supplies, Chewy.com has them all. Right now, they are even running a promotion where you get 40% OFF your first Instinct Raw Frozen autoship order.