Majestic Tree Hound vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison

These cute little Coton de Tulear dogs originate from Madagascar and have in fact been named the ‘official dog of Madagascar’.

The Coton de Tulear actually takes his name from the seaport city of Tulear. In the 1970s a Frenchman brought a puppy to France, with the idea of establishing them as a breed. It was also at this time that the dogs were brought to North America.

This small fluffy white dog was also found on the island of Malta, becoming known as the Maltese. They were mated with other dogs such as the Barbet, a curly haired dog and other coat colors exist such as apricot, black and white and fawn. Other breedings led to the Barbichon family of dogs which includes the Bichon Bolognese and the Bichon Teneriffe. The modern day breeds are the Maltese and the Coton de Tulear.

As with many dog breeds, there are different tales about the origin of the dogs and one version is that the white cotton-ball type of dog survived a shipwreck off the Madagascar coast.

The Majestic Tree Hound is a fairly new crossbreed dog. While the actual breed is very recent, the stem stock goes way back to medieval times.

The dog’s heritage goes back to the St. Hubert Hound named after Francois Hubert. He bred the best scenting hounds in Southern France.

In fact when France experienced political unrest that resulted in emigration to the United States, they brought their dogs, among them hound dogs which were then crossed with other dogs. Bloodhounds, English Foxhounds, American Coon and Big Game Hounds have all contributed to the Majestic Tree Hound after a long time of breeding to bring forth a hound that had sharp scenting abilities as well as a balanced temperament.

The origin of the Majestic Tree Hound is the United States.

Today they are not seen much outside the United States. The first Majestic's were registered with the National Kennel Club in April 1980.

These little dogs make perfect companions. They stand about 25–30cm with the female sometimes being slightly smaller. They weigh anything between 3 – 6kg. They’re robust little canines and can live up to 19 years or so when looked after well.

If you want puppies, you can expect yours to deliver between 4 – 6 puppies.

The Coton de Tulear is easily recognized because of his soft, fluffy coat. Many people take their dogs to the dog salon to have him washed and his hair trimmed. His legs are short and straight as well as being muscled under the hair. The ears are floppy and the tail of the Coton de Tulear is carried straight or slightly curved.

Temperament:

The Coton de Tulear is a friendly, affectionate dog who has a gentle, cuddly side to him. They are social dogs and get on well with their human family and with the children in the home, loving the games they provide.

He will also get on well with other pets in the home and becomes amicable, relaxed and obedient with socialization and training. Small though he is, he makes a great watchdog too and is full of tricks, making him an entertaining pet to have around.

The Majestic Treehound is a large sized working dog. This dog is a cross between the Bloodhound and the Black and Tan Coonhound. Both male and female stand at roughly 61-76 cm in height and weighs in at about 33 – 50kg.

If you want your dog to become a parent, you can expect between 2 to 6 of the cutest puppies.

The coat is smooth, short and dense and comes in a number of colors such as black, black and tan grey and white as well as red and blue ticking.

The dog has sunken brown or yellow eyes, particularly long, floppy ears, a deep chest and a long tail. The tail is set high and is thick at the base and is essentially carried in accordance with the dog’s mood. The tail is never carried over the back. There was a time when the tail of the Majestic was docked, giving him an attractive, compact look. They are powerfully built dogs with a dignified look to them.

Temperament:

The Majestic Treehound has always been a most fearless and adept hunter and he is a dog that just loves being busy. They are also loyal and devoted companions for their human families.

He is a huge dog but he is gentle, good natured and kind with children and is also willing to get on well with pets in the home. You won’t find him being much of a guard dog though because he is just too friendly for this.

He is a dog that is going to need regular exercise, and his sheer size and exercise requirements will make it that he is better off living in the countryside than in the city.

He is an intelligent dog who will be easy to train. Training and socialization will be good for him as he knows exactly how to behave in different situations. He doesn’t want to be left on his own for too long because he bonds closely with his owners and wants to be around them constantly.

The Coton de Tulear just wants to please his human family and spend unforgettable moments with them, hating to be separated from them. He is such an adaptable little dog and will fit well into city- as well as country life.

He is smart, comical, playful, independent and fun to have around as he is known for his clownish personality. Treat him well and he’ll repay you with plenty of love and loyalty.

This large attractive dog has a gentle nature and is loving and affectionate towards his human family, getting on well with children and other pets in the family.

As with most little dogs, this big dog doesn’t like to be left alone for a long time. With training and socialization he becomes obedient and amicable, knowing how to behave well so that he can be taken anywhere.

Treat this loving dog with love and care and he is guaranteed to make you a splendid family pet.

With proper care, your Coton can reach a ripe old age of 15 – 20 years of age. However, even this robust little dog will need to be watched, as he can fell prey to some common dog ailments -

Dental Disease:

Bad Breath with your pet can be a sign of dental decay. Dental plaque for instance, caused by bacteria, can give your pet a terrible breath. It is important to brush your pet’s teeth 2 or 3x a week. Your vet can provide tips on how to brush your pet’s teeth with a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

Other things to look out for are hip dysplasia and chronic allergies. Allergies can cause itchy and dry skin as well as ear infections because of so much hair being in the ear canal. Speak to your vet about how to clean your pet's ears to avoid ear infection.

The Majestic is a robust breed, and with good food and exercise he can live to be between 10 and 13 years of age.

It has been discovered that like many other dogs, he can battle with hip dysplasia. Large dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia. It is an abnormal formation of the hip socket. It’s a serious condition that can cause arthritis and lameness.

Hip dysplasia often begins when a dog is still a puppy. One of the symptoms is difficulty with getting up after lying down, pain in hip joints and even loss of muscle mass. You will need to get your pet to the vet. The vet will perform a complete physical exam on your dog and then talk to you about treatment.

Exercise:

Coton de Tulears will need some exercise if you want him to remain lean and fit. It is important to provide exercise and games for your dog to prevent boredom. Activity levels for any dog, including the Coton, will depend on his age and health.

A walk every day and some ball games will keep your pet happy and prevent him from resorting to destructive behavior from sheer boredom and frustration.

Grooming

The long coat will require some careful grooming and you will need to be on the lookout for excess hair around the paws and in the ears.

He is not a great shedder and brushing twice a week will remove loose hairs and provides the perfect opportunity to check for fleas and ticks.

Just like any other dog, your Coton de Tulear will need a warm, dry place to sleep. If you haven’t already invested in a doggy basket or dog bed, you can use a cardboard box for now, before making up your mind what you want for your pet.

Training:

A well behaved, obedient dog is a pleasure for everyone, and training and socialization is important, even for a small dog. Your dog will understand simple commands such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘come’ and also know how to walk well on a leash.

Grooming:

Occasional brushing, perhaps twice a week, will be enough to maintain this dog’s short coat. The long ears tend to drag on the ground, collecting dirt and moisture, and the ears particularly will need to be washed or wiped down and checked inside for infection.

Exercise:

This is a dog with high exercise requirements. A walk a day for him is a good thing but it won’t be enough – he will need some rough and tumble games and want to join you on hikes, swimming and jogs.

Diet:

Majestic Tree Hounds require nutritious food. If you want to use commercially manufactured food, make sure its the better one as some of the cheaper brands put fillers, preservatives and colorants in and this can cause a whole lot of damage for your dog.

Buy quality food for your pet. The idea is to keep things simple for your big dog so that he doesn’t succumb to digestive problems. Apart from top quality kibble, homemade food will be excellent for him. Boiled chicken cooked in some coconut oil with some brown rice and pasta and some cooked or raw vegetables will be delicious for your dog. You can add it to his dry kibble. Remember to ensure he always has cool, fresh water.