The Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada / Le Club canadien du coton de Tuléar (CTCC / CCCT)

The Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada (CTCC.) / Le Club canadien du coton de Tuléar (CCCT) (bilingual club: French and English) existed unofficially since January 1990. In 1994, the Canine Federation of Canada (CFC) officially recognized the Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada as the only breed club (parent club) with permission to organize Coton de Tuléar specialty shows held under the CFC dog shows rules in Canada.

Please note: do not confuse the Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada (CTCC) the only breed club (parent club) officially recognized by the Canine Federation of Canada (CFC) with The Canadian Coton de Tuléar Club (CCTC) which is not recognize with the Canine Federation of Canada (CFC).

The CFC is the only registry body who can legally register the Coton de Tuléar in Canada. This breed is not registered in the Canadian Kennel Club Stud Book.

Although the cotons de Tuléar are still quite rare in Canada, two Canadian championships were finished in 1995.

Canadian Champion GRANULE DU BOISELET

The Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada (CTCC) will organize Coton de Tuléar specialty shows in 1996. It will enter cotons de Tuléar registered with different clubs in Canada, U.S.A. and other countries. The Coton owners who are interested to show their dogs at the CTCC specialty shows and/or CFC dog shows, are invited to contact the CTCC and ask for a copy of the CFC dog show rules. The standard of the FCI (Fédération cynologique internationale) is used for judging. Therefore, black and white cotons are not accepted at the CFC and CTCC dog shows... or, if competing, could not possibly win.

The secretary of the Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada can be reached at the E mail address boiselet@nbnet.nb.ca (Marguerite Landry).

The postal address of the Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada is Boîte 21, Emplacement 11, Route 1, BERESFORD (Nouveau-Brunswick) Canada E0B 1H0 Tel. (506)-548-3833

The Coton de Tulear in the CFC Show Ring

The coton de Tuléar is a small companion dog. It has a long cottony double coat: outercoat and undercoat. Madagascar is his country of origin. The breed was recognized by the Fédération cynologique internationale (FCI), and in Canada by the CFC. In CANADA, the Coton de Tuléar is registered in the Stud Book of the Canine Federation of Canada/Fédération canine du Canada and, like many other breeds, is eligible for competition in the Canine Federation of Canada dog shows and trials. At CFC conformation dog shows, the judges use the FCI standard.

In Canada, the cotons de Tuléar who are rated "EXCELLENT"-or at least "VERY GOOD"- have the opportunity to pursue a prestigious show careers in the CFC show ring. There is no hope for the others. Even the dogs rated "GOOD" will never become champions just by defeating "trash" or even dogs rated "GOOD".

At the age of three to six months, a puppy may be shown in the minor puppy class for evaluation. The puppies are evaluated individually by the judge who writes a critique and issues a rating card. A puppy receives one of the following ratings: "VERY PROMISING", "PROMISING", or "FAIR". At this age, no puppy is disqualified. The ratings do not guarantee that the puppies are going to develop into excellent or very good quality adults.

The ratings awarded and the written critiques do not in any way bind the responsibility of the judge. The club awards ribbons that must be the colors of the rating cards.

The puppy owners who exhibit in this class get the opinion of different judges regarding the puppies. The dog shows are excellent occasions for puppies to be socialized and get used to the show ring. The prospective breeders who buy their first puppies, their initial breeding stock, usually need to acquire some experience at dog shows. Also the spectators always like to see puppies evolving in a show ring.

From six to twelve months of age, a coton de Tuléar may be shown in the young dog class. Each young dog is shown individually, that is, he is the only dog in the show ring while being judged. The young dog receives one of the following ratings: "EXCELLENT", "VERY GOOD", "GOOD", "FAIR" or "INSUFFICIENT". The judge also writes a critique. These young dogs may receive rosettes or ribbons that are the colors of the rating cards.

The young dog who wins two "EXCELLENT" ratings under two different judges, or two "EXCELLENT" ratings and one "VERY GOOD" rating under two different judges, or one "EXCELLENT" rating and two "VERY GOOD" ratings under two different judges, or four "VERY GOOD" ratings under three different judges is awarded a Canadian Youth Championship (CFC).

The cotons de Tuléar who are not Canadian conformation champions (CFC) and who are at least nine months old may be exhibited in the open class. These dogs are shown one at a time in the show ring. The judge awards each dog one of the following ratings: "EXCELLENT", "VERY GOOD", "GOOD", "FAIR" or "INSUFFICIENT". The judge also writes a critique for each dog exhibited in this class. Rosettes are awarded to dogs who are rated "EXCELLENT" or "VERY GOOD".

The open-class dog who wins two "EXCELLENT" ratings under two different judges, or two "EXCELLENT" ratings and one "VERY GOOD" rating under two different judges, or one "EXCELLENT" rating and two "VERY GOOD" ratings under two different judges, or four "VERY GOOD" ratings under three different judges is awarded a Canadian Conformation Championship (CFC).

The two above-mentioned championships are awarded after a dog has won the required ratings. A dog is compared to the FCI standard and wins by his own merit and not by defeating other dogs of his breed or other breeds.

Regardless of the size of the show, big or small, or the number of cotons de Tuléar entered, a dog has the same chance to win a championship.

Therefore, the exhibitors do not bring their own competition in order to win championship points. Also a mean exhibitor cannot pull out his coton de Tuléar in order to prevent another exhibitor's coton de Tuléar from winning championship points or majors. CFC dog shows are not places where exhibitors punish "enemies" by trying to stops their dogs from winning championship titles. Strategy becomes impossible, at least at the young dog class and the open class levels. The exhibitors enter only the dogs that might be rated "EXCELLENT" or "VERY GOOD". The other dogs stay at home. The judges do not lose time watching dogs dragging their feet around the show ring and feeling the ribs of poor quality dogs. True, it means fewer entries and less money for the show-giving club. It does not matter much as the fundamental aim of a dog show is not to make profit but to contribute to the betterment of the breeds. On the other hand, the judges, the exhibitors and the spectators meet only the best cotons de Tuléar, the cream of the crop. No trash! It is good for the promotion of the breed.

The champions class is reserved to the cotons de Tuléar who are Canadian conformation champions (CFC) and at least 18 months old on the day of the show. In this class the dogs are not rated and the judge does not write a critique. The champions compete against each other. A champion has to defeat at least one other champion of his breed in order to win a Great Canadian Conformation Championship (CFC). At one dog show, one male and one female may be awarded a Great Canadian Conformation Championship title provided the required competition is present in the show ring.

The cotons de Tuléar rated "EXCELLENT" in the open class, the Canadian conformation champions (CFC) and the Great Canadian conformation champions (CFC) may compete for the Best-of-breed award. These dogs are judged in group and not individually as they are in the young dog class and the open class. They do not receive rating cards and the judge does not write critiques. A coton de Tuléar competes against the other dogs present in the show ring. The best of breed wins and the best-in-show wins do not count towards the acquisition of a championship. It is just a matter of merit and glory.

In the best-in-show class, all the dogs who were awarded best of breed may compete for the best-in-show title. In this class, the judge does not give rating cards and does not write critiques. If a coton de Tuléar defeats the other dogs of this class, he-or she-is a best-in-show winner. The best-in-show winner receives a red, white and blue rosette.

At the end of a show career, there is the possibility-or the probability-for an excellent coton de Tuléar to finish with a Canadian Youth Championship, a Canadian Conformation Championship and a Great Canadian Conformation Championship. It proves that he has the phenotype of the breed. To those championship titles, we must add the rating cards, the judges' critiques, the ribbons, the rosettes, the cups and the other prizes. To the owner it might mean glory. Better still, it might mean success in a breeding program provided his coton de Tuléar has the genotype of the breed, produces excellent Coton de Tuléar puppies and is without invisible genetic faults; e.g., pulmonic stenosis, hip dysplasia, etc.

What has been said about the Coton de Tuléar also applies to all the breeds registered with the CFC and the rare breeds (Miscellaneous class) that are eligible for showing at CFC's dog shows. Many, many breeds are eligible to be shown at CFC dog shows. From the Cana Corso to the Long-Haired Whippet.

The first condition for is the dog being registered in a stud book in Canada, U.S.A. or other countries. A photocopy of the official registration must accompany the entry form.

In late 1994 and in 1995, the cotons de Tuléar had the opportunity to be shown in Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada specialty shows and CFC conformation dog shows. As the cotons are not numerous in Canada, only a few were entered and two finished their Canadian Conformation Championship by the end of 1995. AND there will probably be a few cotons finishing the Great Canadian Conformation Championship in 1996. During the next show season, the cotons de Tuléar, besides other breeds, might have the chance to compete in obedience trials and-maybe- agility trials. It is our wish. All is being organized.

NOTE - A French version of this article is available from me. Information on the the CFC dog shows, the Coton de Tuléar specialty shows, the Coton de Tuléar Club of Canada and the registration of the Coton de Tuléar is also available.