Coton de Tulear Grooming

Grooming your Coton is an important part of their daily care. A quick brushing each day will allow your Coton to maintain his beautiful trademark coat with little or no hassle. Although the Coton is considered a non-shedding dog, the hair in their undercoat does come loose and will mat together if not brushed out frequently. Using the proper grooming tools that will reach down into the undercoat to remove loose hairs is key to keeping your Coton free of mats.

If you find it difficult to groom your Coton de Tulear at home, you can take it to a professional groomer. Professional grooming can include a full haircut, nail trimming, and ear cleaning, among other things. It is recommended to take your dog to a groomer every six to eight weeks. Some people like to keep their Coton in a puppy cut.  Be sure to do your research.  Not every groomer knows how to groom a Coton.  Take a picture of what you want with you to ensure that you don't end up with a Coton with a poodle cut!  Don't let your groomer cut your Coton too short.  Their hair is what protects them from the sun/heat in the summer and from the cold in the winter.   Here is a picture that one of our owners shared with us of her Coton's puppy cut.

Brushes

Brushing is the most important aspect of grooming your Coton de Tulear. It helps to remove tangles and mats, and distributes the natural oils throughout the coat. You should brush your Coton's hair at least once a day using a slicker brush. You can purchase my favorite slicker brush on this page. I love slickers because they make it easy to remove a mat without causing pain to your Coton. Start brushing the undercoat at the tail and work your way up. Be gentle and avoid pulling on the hair, as this can cause discomfort to your dog. Pay extra attention to the areas around the ears, legs, and underbelly, as these areas are prone to tangling. Use a comb to finish, just to make sure that you have gotten all the tangles in the undercoat.

We use a variety of tools to groom our dogs. Our first brush was a Mason Pearson nylon brush. That was back in 2004 and it is still in great shape. We have discovered that buying quality products may require quite an investment in the beginning but it is worth it in the long run. Currently, I'm using a boar's hair/nylon brush.  They are a must when blow drying your Coton after a bath.

Bathing is an essential part of grooming a Coton de Tulear. You should bathe your dog once every two-four weeks, or as needed. Use a mild dog shampoo and conditioner, and make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue. Avoid getting water in your dog's ears, as this can cause infections.  Right now one of our favorite shampoos is pawTree's 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner.  Another favorite (and a MUST for a white dog like the Coton) is Chris Christensen's Whitening shampoo. pawTree also an Ear Wash & Ear Dry that is an effective product for keeping your Cotons ears clean.

Trimming

Coton de Tulear dogs have long hair around their eyes, which can obstruct their vision. You should trim the hair around the eyes using scissors or a clipper to prevent this from happening. Cotons are prone to eye infections if you don't provide proper eye care, so it is important to check for signs of infection regularly. If you notice redness, swelling, discharge, or excessive tearing, take your dog to the vet to ensure that it is not an eye infection. You should also trim the hair on the paws, around the anus, and the tail to keep it clean and tangle-free. 

Eye Care

Use a damp cotton ball or a soft cloth to clean around your dog's eyes. Make sure to remove any discharge or debris that may have accumulated. You can also use a tear stain remover to prevent tear stains from forming around the eyes. Check out our Shopping Page for a good Tear & Saliva Stain Remover.  There is a solution to help remove stains as well as a daily chew that will help prevent further staining. See a link on the right of this page.

Grooming the Nails

Long nails can cause discomfort to your dog and make it difficult for them to walk. Therefore, it is important to keep your Coton de Tulear's nails trimmed. The following are some tips on how to trim your dog's nails:

1. Use the Right Tools:

You should use a good quality nail clipper designed for dogs to trim your Coton's nails. Avoid using human nail clippers or scissors, as they can cause injury to your dog.

2. Find the Quick:

The quick is the blood vessel that runs through the nail. You should avoid cutting the quick, as this can cause bleeding and pain to your dog. Therefore, it is important to locate the quick before trimming the nails. The quick is visible as a pinkish line running through the nail.

3. Cut the Nails:

Hold your dog's paw firmly but gently, and use the nail clipper to cut the nail below the quick. You should cut the nail at a 45-degree angle to avoid splintering. If you accidentally cut the quick, use styptic powder to stop the bleeding.

4. Reward Your Dog After trimming your Coton's nails, make sure to reward them with a treat or praise. This will help them associate nail trimming with positive experiences.

In Conclusion

Proper grooming is essential to keep your Coton de Tulear healthy, happy, and looking good. Regular brushing, bathing, and trimming of hair, nails, and eyes are crucial to maintain their appearance and prevent health problems. If you find it difficult to groom your dog at home, you can take it to a professional groomer. Remember to reward your dog for good behavior during grooming and to check for signs of infection regularly. With proper grooming, your Coton de Tulear will look and feel their best!

pawTree 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner

Tear Stain & Saliva Remover Solution

Tear Stain & Saliva Remover Chews