Lhasapoo vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

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.

Such a cute, cuddly teddy bear of a dog is popular with everyone who just wants a wonderful canine companion.

Both the Lhasa Apso and the Poodle are ancient dog breeds and they are the two breeds that have been used to bring about the Lhasapoo. The Poo has been bred to essentially be an indoor dog.

It would appear as though the Lhasapoo was developed in the United States of America, as in 1933, a pair was given to an American traveler who developed a kennel.

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 Lhasapoo is a mix of Poodle and Lhasa Apso. He is a small dog standing between 25–28 cm in height and weighing 4 – 6kg.

Known as a designer breed, his small size allows him to adapt to life in the city or to the countryside. He is such a cute little dog with his alert face, his bright brown eyes, short legs and floppy ears.

His coat is thick and dense and can be curly or fairly straight. It comes in a number of solid colors – apricot, tan, cream, brown, white and black or he can be bi-color – any of these colors mixed with white. In fact, as a crossbreed he can inherit the looks of either dogs – the Poodle or Lhasa Poo. Because he has poodle in him, these dogs are sometimes spoken about as being hypoallergenic.

Temperament:

Small and gentle in nature, the Lhasapoo makes a splendid pet and companion for everyone. He is such an amicable small dog, getting on well with both children and other pets in the home.

You can’t really tell what kind of a dog he’ll turn out to be in terms of his character, because he can be quite aloof if the Lhasa side of him is stronger or he could be playful and friendly if the Poodle side of him is stronger.

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.

The Lhasapoo is a crossbreed, so you never know what you’re actually going to get – a little bit of Lhasa or a little bit of Poodle.

One thing is for sure though – you’re going to get the cutest little pet ever. He is a friendly, affectionate dog, but the Lhasa side of him makes him wary of strangers, making him an excellent watchdog.

They have a moderate activity levels and will adapt easily to life in the city or in the countryside, but they will need a walk every day to ensure he doesn’t become unfit and obese.

Lhasapoo puppies are adorable but every cute puppy grows into an adult. Then it’s time to show you’re a responsible dog owner by continuing to love and care for your adult Lhasapoo so that he becomes the wonderful companion he is designed to be.

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.

All dogs have the potential to become ill but when you give your dog the best chance to eat well and he is loved and cherished, he can live a long life.

The Lhasapoo can live to be 15 years of age if you treat him well and ensure that he has a healthy diet. Of course as a crossbreed, his chances of developing inherited diseases is limited.

Bloat or Gastric Torsion:

Watch out for Bloat, particularly if your pet gobbles up a large bowl of food. It is better to feed him 2 smaller meals a day. There are some time-releasing food bowls available for pets to encourage slower eating.

With Bloat, you’ll notice your pet’s stomach is swollen up. Complications set in when the stomach turns or twists as fluid and air can’t escape. Your dog will also be restless, drooling and trying to vomit. Bloat is a life-threatening illness.

Kidney Disease:

This can be a complication from disease or medications even. It is important to keep your pet’s teeth healthy as chronic kidney disease can be caused by dental disease too. Bacteria from the diseased teeth and gums enters bloodstream and damages vital organs like the kidneys.

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.

Exercise:

The Lhasapoo is a dog breed that likes to spend time indoors. Because of his looks, his human family members will no doubt be vying for his attention and playing indoor games with him. It will do him good to get out for a walk every day as this gives him the chance to sniff around and smell different things and experience life outside his home.

Diet:

The Lhasapoo isn’t a big eater and he will require top quality food for small breeds. He isn’t a big meat eater so a tiny bit of cooked chicken, rice and vegetables chopped up nicely and added to his kibble from time to time will keep him healthy and happy.

Grooming:

Being the crossbreed that he is, you can’t be too sure about the type of coat your Lhasapoo will have. It can be curly, wavy or straight. Most inherit curls.

A Lhasapoo coat looks wonderful when it has been professionally groomed, and then in between grooming, his coat will need to be brushed to prevent tangling. While you’re brushing him, check his eyes too. Sometimes he can develop tear stains beneath the eyes and you can wipe gently around his eyes.

Other grooming for your cute little dog includes having his nails clipped as well as checking inside the ears for infection. Excess wax and dirt can result in an ear infection. You’ll notice your pet shaking his head, the insides of his ears might be red and he wants to scratch his ears. Get him to the vet who will show you how to keep his ears clean and dry.

Also, brush his teeth with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste. Dental disease won’t only damage his teeth, it can cause problems with other parts of the body too.