Characteristics
Cotons are lively, alert companion dogs. Their sweet temperament, cute appearance and clownish antics belie their intelligence, quick wit and stamina. They love to be with their humans and tend to become quite attached to them.
Temperament is one of the main breed characteristics. They are happy, stable and sociable with humans as well as other dogs. They are cheerful companions and noted for being very adaptable. They will pretty much do as much or as little as you like.
They can be very clownish and have a habit of walking on their hind legs, which many fanciers find very endearing. Some cock their heads to one side when listening, while others have quite a vocabulary of sighs, whimpers and rumbles to make their desires known.
Their remarkable intelligence lends itself to a variety of activities, including obedience, agility, musical freestyle and even tracking. They learn very quickly. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train them.
Coton fanciers agree that the phrase “happy, boisterous, little clowns” very aptly describes the personality of these delightful little creatures. But for all their fluffy, stuffed toy looks, Cotons are very rough-and-tumble, hardy little dogs. They are equally at home in snow, or mud or rain, or anything in between.
The average size of a Coton is about 9 – 12 inches at the shoulder and weighing 8 to 13 pounds. Females are usually at the lower end of both scales.
Cotons, like other small dogs, have long life spans, and can live for about 13 - 15 years.