Appearance of the Coton Tzu
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| The Coton Tzu is a mix of a Coton de Tulear and a Shih Tzu, and will take on the appearance and characteristics of both parent breeds. They are small dogs weighing up to 7.5 kilos, and are usually white, black, cream, brindle, brown and gold, or a combination of these colors. Their coat is normally medium to long, which can be silky and downy. A Shih Tzu has a short muzzle and large, dark eyes, similar to the Coton de Tuléar whose large, expressive eyes are usually hidden by bangs. The Coton de Tulear's ears are triangular and set high, while the Shih Tzu has floppy ears covered with long fur. The tails of both breeds curl over their backs. |
Temperament of the Coton Tzu
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| Coton Tzu are excellent pets, playful and happy, and always eager to please. They love attention and are very good with children and are very affectionate with them. They are quite wary of strangers, so early socialization and training is a good idea. They can be stubborn dogs, so training will take time, but they will become much more enthusiastic if they get rewards. Both parent breeds get on well with other dogs, so the Coton Tzu is also likely to do so. A Coton de Tuléar doesn't like to be left alone for long and can become destructive to show his displeasure. Shih Tzu are easy dogs that adapt well to any environment and make very good guard dogs as they are extremely alert and bark if strangers arrive. Coton Tzu are active dogs who will need regular exercise to stay fit and happy. |
Needs and activities of the Coton Tzu
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| A Coton Tzu will need moderate exercise to keep fit. This could include walks in the park or at the beach, but they'll also enjoy playing with their owners. They are likely to be similar to parent breeds whose exercise requirements are not excessive. A Coton de Tuléar likes to go for walks, but is happy to play fetch or engage in agility-type exercise. A Shih Tzu will settle for a short amount of exercise, but needs to get some, as it can develop behavioral problems such as barking or destructive chewing. They tolerate cold more than heat, so don't exercise them when it's very hot outside. |
Maintenance of the Coton Tzu
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| A Coton Tzu is probably hypoallergenic, as are both parent breeds, making them good for allergy sufferers. Coton Tzu needs fairly regular brushing to avoid matting and may need trimming, but this is not the case if they don't shed too much. Both parent breeds need a little grooming to stay in good shape, and both need trimming. A Shih Tzu needs daily brushing and a weekly bath, just like the Coton de Tuléar. Try to brush your dog's teeth every day to avoid any dental problems, and check his ears for dirt. If necessary, wipe them gently with damp absorbent cotton. Nails should also be checked to see if they need trimming. |
English (United Kingdom)