Coton De Tulear Weight Chart – Size & Growth Chart
The Coton de Tulear is a special dog breed. Therefore, many owners need a Coton de Tulear growth chart to help them track their development.
They are cuddly and sweet with a fun temperament making them the life of the party.
The Coton de Tulear came from Madagascar and is family to the Maltese and of the Bichon Frise. You will sometimes hear these dogs being referred to as the “Royal dog of Madagascar”.
They enjoy quality time with their favorite humans who in turn enjoy their happy-go-lucky companionship.
You can count on your Coton de Tulear to brighten up a room and provide constant entertainment with their bright and light-hearted personality.
They are small but sturdy and robust. These breeds are known for their fluffy white coats that are soft like cotton.
The bond that Coton de Tulears can form with their human is perhaps the most remarkable thing about them.
When Is A Coton De Tulear Fully Grown?
Many owners try to get information about the adult age and growth rate of Coton de Tulear.
The male Coton de Tulear usually stops growing at 1-year-old, but females take a shorter time and stop growing around 10 to 11 months.
Keep in mind that every dog is different, so this time frame may differ slightly.
Coton de Tulear puppies are usually quite small when they are born. They tend to weigh only a few ounces, but then swiftly grow in length and height in the first six months of their life.
This growth rate then lessens as your dog reaches adolescence where your Coton de Tulear will gain fat and muscle man. They will then obtain full-grown 11 to 12 months.
You can expect their adult coats to appear when they are between 7 and 15 months.
Throughout this time they will need extra groom care so that tangles and knotted fur do not occur. Like their Maltese family, the males are usually a bit larger than the females.
Coton De Tulear Weight Chart
The following weight chart will give the average estimation of your Coton de Tulear. You may find that the weight of your actual dog is lower or higher than what is listed on the Coton de Tulear weight chart.
Do not be alarmed if this happens, because each dog is different.
That said, if your Coton de Tulear puppy is very thin and has a low weight, you should consult your veterinarian’s advice on their state of health.
Because the Coton de Tulear is so fluffy may be difficult for you to tell if they are undernourished by just looking at them.
Take a proper assessment of his health because a low birth rate can mean some serious health problems. The same goes for obesity.
Obesity in dogs is never a good thing however a few extra pounds more than the average is nothing you should lose sleep about.
Your Coton de Tulear dog may not fall within the range we have stated. The best thing you can do is consult your veterinarian if you are not sure about anything or if you notice something strange.
To use the Coton de Tulear growth chart you need to have an accurate measurement of your dog’s age and match it with the age we have provided on the chart. Then you should look at the coinciding weight ranges.
Coton de Tulear Puppy Weight Chart
| Age | Weight (kg) | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Months | 1.8 - 2.6 kg | 4 - 5.7 lbs |
| 6 Months | 3.2 - 4.8 kg | 7 - 10.5 lbs |
| 12 Months | 4.5 - 7 kg | 10 - 15.5 lbs |
Coton De Tulear Growth Chart – What To Expect
Birth – 2 Weeks
The Coton de Tulear puppies are very small as newborns, but they grow rapidly in the first few months of their lives. Their litter sizes are usually between 2 and 5 puppies, and they are unable to see or hear.
This is what makes the stage a sensitive one because they rely solely on their mothers for nourishment and warmth.
They will spend most of their time sleeping as they gain their strength. You will notice them crawling and wiggling to get close to their mothers who can provide them with milk.
They do not have proper use of their limbs, but they smell their surroundings looking for milk. It is important that you allow the mother to bond with her pups.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
Many changes are taking place because your tiny puppy is growing up and learning his environment. His muscles begin to get stronger as he romps around with his littermates.
His eyes were open he will start to learn about his surroundings. Weaning will occur during this stage and your dog will start to eat solid foods, but you should make this switch easy for him by making sure the food is soft and moist enough.
Make sure that you feed him around half a cup of food per day which you should divide into 3 meals.
Remember that this amount depends on the activity level and size of your dog. At the end of this page, you can expect him to weigh around 1.5 so 2.6 kg.
4 Months – 9 Months
At this stage, your Coton de Tulear will begin to reduce the rate of growth that was seen in the previous months. Muscle coordination is more pronounced and many puppies enter their heat cycle.
At the end of this stage, your puppy should be accustomed to having at least 1 cup of dry dog food into two meals. He should weigh approximately 3.2 to 4.8 kg on average.
10 Months – 18 Months
Your Coton de Tulear puppy is now considered an adult. At 11 to 12 months your puppy will stop growing, but he will fill out in terms of muscle mass.
He will weigh between 4 and 6 kg when he is fully grown. You should feed him ¾ – 1 cup of high-quality dog food.
Adult
Continue to feed your Coton de Tulear 3/4 -1 cup daily of high-quality dog food, divided into two meals.
He will be a full adult at this stage but will maintain his playful puppy-like tendencies. Remember to give him enough exercise and proper nutrition to maintain his health.
How Big Do Coton De Tulears Get?
If you would like to own a Coton de Tulear, then you may have some general idea of its size. You know how that it is a small dog breed, but many people would like to know exactly how small this dog will you going to be.
There are a number of ways you can come to a clear answer about your dog’s eventual size. The first option is to use the growth chart within this article after finding out your dog’s age.
You can also make projections about how big they will get simply by estimating their future age and weight based on your dog’s weight now.
The other option is to look at your dog parents will provide the best information about your dog because of genetics.
To do this you can reach out to his breeder who will usually record this information. Your dog will most likely be the average size of both parents.
You can also examine your dog’s paws because dogs who have more growing to complete have paws that are larger in proportion to the rest of their bodies.
DNA tests are also quite useful because they map the genealogy of your dog so that you can be informed of any other breeds in your dog’s ancestry.
Will Neutering/Spaying My Coton de Tulear Affect His Growth?
The best time to have your Coton de Tulear dog neutered or spayed is when they are about 18 months. This is because they reach maturity between 11 and 12 months.
Therefore, this would allow them adequate time to reach adulthood and be fully developed before they are neutered or spayed.
According to studies on dogs, experts have concluded that neutering male dogs can impact their growth negatively.
This is because their growth is affected by testosterone so neutering affects this process leading to joint problems.
However, there are many positive aspects of spaying and neutering because they have been proven to prevent certain cancers as well as the added benefits of preventing unwanted pregnancies that can affect your dog’s health and cost you time energy, and money for healthcare.
Coton De Tulear Size Chart
An average Coton de Tulear stands at 10 to 11 inches (25 to 28 cm) when they reach adulthood.
They usually weigh 9 to 15 lb (4 to 6.8 kg). This comes as no surprise they are a small breed. Males are slightly larger than females.
Your dog’s height can be measured by using the withers. The withers are simply the highest point of your Coton de Tulear’s shoulder blades.
If you would like to measure your dog, you simply need to drape a measuring tape from the floor up to his withers in a straight line. Record this measurement as your dog’s height.
Maltese Vs Coton De Tulear Size
Maltese dogs are one of the smallest breeds around and usually weigh about 8 lb in adulthood. The Coton de Tulear on the other hand is a bit larger and may be around 16 lb in adulthood.
Because the Coton de Tulear is related to the Maltese, they share many similarities, but they have quite a few differences as well.
A Maltese usually weighs between 6 and 8 lb while Coton de Tulear usually weighs between 9 and 16 lb. When it comes to height, a Maltese is 7-9 inches while a Coton de Tulear is usually between 10 and 11 inches.
Maltese’s are smaller than Coton de Tulear on average, and they also weigh less.
But when it comes to life expectancy the Maltese have a slight disadvantage because they usually live for about 16 years while the Coton de Tulear can live for up to 20 years of age. Of course, lifestyle and diet also play a part.
Factors That Affect Coton De Tulear Growth
Genetics & Gender
Hereditary issues have a great impact on the growth of a Coton de Tulear because the most accurate predictor of your dog’s eventual size is the size of his parents.
Not only that but they also have inherent health issues from their parents because of genetics.
Gender comes into play when it comes to the size and growth of this breed because males are slightly larger than females. And females usually plateau their growth sooner.
Nutrition
You should give your Coton de Tulear puppy dog food that is of high quality. It should also be appropriate for his age because dogs have different nutritional needs at the various stages of their lives.
The nutritional needs of a puppy are not the same as that of a senior. During their growth and development puppies require more protein.
The Coton de Tulear is a small breed dog, so you need to watch out for over each thing which can lead to excess weight. Excess weight on your dog can cause other diseases that may otherwise be avoided.
While training your puppy you should keep treats to a minimum. Most importantly you should check with your veterinarian to make sure you are meeting the nutritional needs of your dog.
Physical Activity & Health
The Coton de Tulear is naturally active, so they require a moderate amount of exercise daily. A slow and easy daily walk would suit this dog breed just fine.
It would also have to maintain his weight and keep him healthy. Exercise has the benefit of creating strong muscles and bones. They also keep your dog’s brain sharp.
Engage your Coton de Tulear in play by having him chase a tennis ball, and he will enjoy this. This is important because whenever a Coton de Tulear becomes unhappy and bored and be destructive by chewing on household items.
What If My Coton De Tulear Is Not The Right Weight
Some owners may be worried that their dog is not the correct way. For Coton de Tulear and may be a bit difficult because they are fluffy and their fur hides their frame.
This gives an inaccurate visual measurement of their physical features.
You can look at your dog from above for an aerial view all his waist. But because he is so fluffy a clear view would be difficult, so you can run your hands along his back and spine.
You should be able to feel his ribs without pressing down. If you feel his ribs then he needs more exercise and less food.
you can also run your hands along his rib cage to check this. If you cannot feel his ribs clearly then you should cut back as well.
However, if you run your hands along his back and rib cage, and you can feel his ribs easily. You should also make sure that’s his waist is not sunken. A very thin waist means that your dog requires more food.
Coton De Tulear Genetics And Common Health Problems
Cotons are generally healthy, but they are known to suffer from a few conditions such as:
Luxating patellas is a condition where the knees slip out of place. This is a typical problem within small breed dogs.
While your puppies are still young you should stop them from jumping around on furniture because their developing joints may be affected.
Do not engage them in vigorous exercise and rough play because this could result in luxating patellas.
Hip Dysplasia – This is a hereditary disease where a dog’s thigh bone does not fit into his hip joint snugly. It results in lameness in many dogs in the rear legs. This can also result in arthritis as your dog gets older. Obesity can also exacerbate the condition.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – This is also a hereditary disorder in the eye that may cause blindness. It occurs when photoreceptors at the back of the eye are lost.
The good news is the condition can be detected many years before they affect your dog. Hence, regular check-ups with your veterinarian can help you to treat the condition.
Final Words
It is fairly easy to groom a Coton de Tulear. They usually look forward to this time when they can spend with their favorite human as they are groomed.
He will require a lot of brushing and combing to work through his fur so that it will not get matted. You should use a special brush that will be able to reach the fur closest to the skin so that mats do not occur.
A few times a week should be a reasonable frequency. Also, remember to brush his teeth remove the wax from his ear so that he does not have an ear infection.
