Coton Eskimo
Hybrid Breed Description
The Coton Eskimo is a cross between the American Eskimo and the Coton de Tulear. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Coton Eskimo. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
American Eskimo
The American Eskimo Dog comes in three distinct size varieties: Toy measuring nine to twelve inches and weighing five to ten pounds, Miniature standing twelve to fifteen inches and weighing ten to twenty pounds, and Standard ranging from fifteen to nineteen inches tall and weighing twenty-five to thirty-five pounds. Regardless of size, all varieties share the same striking appearance featuring a thick, stand-off double coat consisting of a dense undercoat and longer outer coat without curl or wave. The breed displays a Nordic or Spitz-type structure with a compact, well-balanced body that is slightly longer than tall, creating an elegant yet sturdy profile. The American Eskimo's most distinctive feature is its brilliant white or white with biscuit cream colored coat, complemented by striking black points on the nose, lips, and eye rims that create dramatic contrast against the pristine fur. A pronounced lion-like ruff encircles the neck and chest, particularly impressive in males, while significant feathering adorns the legs. The breed possesses a wedge-shaped head with erect, triangular, blunt-tipped ears set high, and slightly oval, dark brown eyes that convey intelligence and alertness. The heavily plumed tail curves gracefully over the back, fanning out majestically. The coat's texture consists of long, soft guard hairs growing through the dense undercoat to form the protective outer layer, with natural oils that repel dirt and maintain the coat's brilliant appearance. The American Eskimo moves with smooth, flowing gait, displaying agility and grace despite the abundant coat. The breed's facial expression radiates keen intelligence and friendliness, with a constantly smiling appearance that reflects its cheerful disposition. The combination of sparkling white coat, dark facial points, plumed tail, and alert carriage creates an eye-catching appearance that has made the breed famous as both circus performer and beloved companion.
Key Characteristics
The American Eskimo Dog exhibits an intelligent, alert, and friendly temperament characterized by eagerness to please and remarkable trainability. This breed forms strong attachments to family members and thrives on constant companionship, displaying affectionate and devoted behavior toward its people. Eskies demonstrate natural performing ability, quickly learning commands and complex tricks with enthusiasm, a trait that made them circus stars in the early twentieth century. Their intelligence extends to observational learning, often picking up behaviors simply by watching other dogs, which requires early training to ensure positive habit formation. The breed displays moderate to high energy levels requiring daily exercise through walks, playtime, and mental stimulation to prevent destructive behaviors and excessive barking. American Eskimos possess strong territorial instincts stemming from their watchdog heritage, making them vocal and alert to strangers or unusual activities, though they are never aggressive when properly socialized. Their sharp, loud bark serves as an effective alarm system, though training helps moderate excessive vocalization. The breed exhibits social, outgoing behavior with family while showing initial reserve toward strangers, warming up once proper introductions are made. Eskies require structured activities and purpose to remain happy and well-behaved, excelling in various canine sports including agility, obedience, rally, and freestyle. Their playful, sometimes boisterous nature makes them entertaining companions, though they can develop separation anxiety and become destructive if left alone for extended periods without adequate mental and physical stimulation. The breed demonstrates adaptability to various living situations from apartments to houses with yards, provided exercise needs are met, though they prefer indoor living close to their families despite their thick coats. American Eskimos display sensitivity to their owners' emotions and training methods, responding best to positive reinforcement while shutting down with harsh corrections. Their combination of intelligence, trainability, loyalty, and entertaining personality makes them exceptional companions for active families who can provide the attention, exercise, and mental challenges these bright dogs require.
The American Eskimo Dog enjoys a relatively healthy lifespan of thirteen to fifteen years, though the breed faces several genetic and common health conditions requiring attention. Progressive retinal atrophy represents a significant inherited concern, causing gradual degeneration of the retina's photoreceptor cells, initially affecting night vision before progressing to complete blindness, with no effective treatment available, making breeding dogs should undergo genetic testing. Hip dysplasia, though more common in larger breeds, can affect American Eskimos when abnormal hip joint development creates looseness and excessive motion, leading to degenerative arthritis, pain, and mobility issues manageable through weight control, appropriate exercise, supplements, and sometimes surgical intervention. Luxating patella occurs frequently in this breed when the kneecap dislocates from its normal position, causing intermittent lameness and potentially requiring surgical correction in severe cases. Dental disease affects American Eskimos more than many breeds, with eighty percent of dogs developing periodontal problems by age two if preventive care is not provided, necessitating daily tooth brushing and regular professional cleanings to prevent tooth loss and systemic infections. Epilepsy, typically manifesting between six months and three years of age, causes recurrent seizures requiring lifelong medication management and periodic blood monitoring. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, affecting the hip joint's blood supply and causing femoral head deterioration, can develop in young dogs, leading to pain and lameness requiring surgical treatment. The breed shows increased susceptibility to diabetes mellitus, characterized by insufficient insulin production or poor response to the hormone, requiring careful management through insulin therapy, diet, and monitoring. Skin conditions and allergies cause itching and discomfort, while obesity poses significant risks for joint problems, metabolic disorders, and heart disease, making portion control and regular exercise essential. Chondrodystrophy with intervertebral disc disease predisposes some individuals to disc herniation and back problems, while degenerative myelopathy affects senior dogs, causing progressive hind limb weakness and coordination loss. Hypothyroidism can develop when insufficient thyroid hormone production leads to various symptoms including weight gain, skin problems, and lethargy, treatable with hormone replacement. Regular veterinary checkups, appropriate vaccination protocols, parasite prevention, dental care, weight management, and quality nutrition help American Eskimos maintain optimal health throughout their lives, with responsible breeders conducting comprehensive health testing to reduce genetic disease transmission.
Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear stands between nine and eleven inches tall at the withers, weighing eight to fifteen pounds for males and eight to thirteen pounds for females. This small yet sturdy breed exhibits a rectangular body outline, with the height measuring approximately two-thirds of the body length from shoulder to buttock. The breed displays a level back with a slight arch over the loin and a tail that curves over the back while moving, though it hangs with an upward hook when resting. The most distinctive feature of the Coton de Tulear is its cotton-like coat, consisting of hair rather than fur, which contributes to its hypoallergenic qualities. The coat is long, soft, and fluffy without curls or waves, often reaching about four inches in length. While white is the ideal color, the breed can display light gray or tan shadings on the ears, with some dogs showing black and white or tricolor patterns. The breed's triangular head features large, round, dark eyes that convey an intelligent and lively expression, complemented by a prominent black nose and triangular ears that hang close to the head. The Coton de Tulear moves with graceful, flowing strides that appear sharp and energetic, maintaining its characteristic slightly arched topline while in motion. The breed's compact structure, combined with moderate bone density, ensures it never appears fragile despite its small size. A distinguishing white blaze often appears on the forehead, considered in Japanese history to be the touch of Buddha, adding to the breed's charming appearance.
Key Characteristics
The Coton de Tulear embodies a happy, stable, and highly sociable temperament that makes it an exceptional companion dog. This breed demonstrates remarkable adaptability, adjusting perfectly to various lifestyles whether in active households or quieter environments. Cotons are known for their playful, clownish behavior and often perform tricks spontaneously, including walking on their hind legs, rolling over, and jumping into sleeping positions to entertain their families. Their affectionate nature drives them to follow their owners from room to room, seeking constant companionship without being overly demanding. Intelligence and eagerness to please define the Coton's personality, making training both productive and enjoyable when using positive reinforcement methods. These dogs exhibit alert watchdog tendencies, barking to announce visitors without being excessively vocal or aggressive. Their sociable disposition extends to children and other pets, though they can develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. The breed displays unique vocalizations, including soft grunts and conversational sounds, often accompanied by the endearing head tilt that seems to engage owners in dialogue. Cotons possess a sensitive nature that allows them to mirror the emotional atmosphere of their household, becoming reserved in quiet homes or lively in active environments. Despite their small size, they maintain puppy-like joy throughout their lives, demonstrating moderate energy levels that require daily walks and playtime but adapt well to their family's activity level. Their gentle temperament, combined with intelligence and trainability, makes them excellent candidates for therapy work and various canine sports, though their primary purpose remains providing devoted companionship and bringing joy to their families.
The Coton de Tulear is generally a healthy breed with a lifespan ranging from fourteen to nineteen years, though several genetic and common health conditions warrant attention. Luxating patella represents one of the most frequent orthopedic concerns, where the kneecap temporarily displaces from its normal position, causing discomfort and potentially requiring surgical intervention in severe cases. Progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited degenerative eye disease, can lead to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness, making genetic testing and regular eye examinations essential for breeding dogs and early detection. Hip dysplasia, though less common in this small breed due to responsible breeding practices, can occur when abnormal hip joint development leads to arthritis and mobility issues. Skin allergies and sensitivities affect many Cotons, triggered by environmental factors such as pollen and dust or food ingredients, manifesting as itching, redness, and potential secondary infections. Ear infections pose another concern due to the breed's floppy ears that trap moisture, requiring regular cleaning and monitoring. Dental disease presents a significant risk, as small breeds typically develop tartar buildup and periodontal problems earlier than larger dogs, necessitating daily tooth brushing and professional cleanings. Additional health considerations include primary hyperoxaluria, a rare genetic disorder affecting kidney function through calcium oxalate crystal accumulation, and Bandera's Neonatal Cerebellar Ataxia, a hereditary condition specific to the breed that affects motor coordination. Spinal disc disease and heart problems, particularly mitral valve degeneration, can develop in some individuals. Responsible breeders conduct comprehensive health testing including hip evaluations, eye clearances, and DNA screenings for genetic conditions. Maintaining proper weight, providing regular exercise, ensuring quality nutrition, and scheduling routine veterinary checkups significantly contribute to the Coton de Tulear's overall health and longevity, helping these charming companions live full, active lives well into their teens.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Coton Eskimo may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the American Eskimo and Coton de Tulear to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.