The Coton Malgache - Canadian Coton De Tulear Club

The Coton Malgache
The Coton Malgache Volume 9 Issue 4
President’s Message
December 2009
January 1st, ending a three year
stay in Canada.
I would like to find other educational
opportunities for 2010. I
think they are fun and interesting!
Karen Black
CCTC President
Happy New Year!
I am in disbelief that we are in
2010. Time just keeps zipping
along and it seems, just like our
mother’s told us, the older we
get, the faster time goes. I hope
everyone had a very happy Holiday
Season and that time spent
with friends and family was joyous
and fun.
In December, I hosted a reproduction
seminar at my home
which was well attended. We
had a lot of fun and Marie-
France has provided us with a
write up and some photos of the
event. We were very fortunate
to have Dr. Philippe Pierson,
DVM, Royal Canin Elite Breeders
Team as our presenter, as
he has returned to France as of
We will be holding a club sanction
match sometime in 2010
which is a part of our requirements
to be able to continue our
show status with the CKC. And,
of course, we will once again
have a National Specialty. I
would also like to see us have a
regional specialty as well.
I’d like to thank everyone on the
board, and the club members
who helped out in 2009. It’s
nice to have everyone work together
for the common good of
our dear Cotons!
If anyone is interested or has
ideas for an activity or event,
please let one of our board
members know. We look forward
to working with you so that
the club reflects your needs.
All the best for 2010 … may
you, your family, and your dogs
have a healthy, prosperous
year!
Inside this issue:
Coton Specialty 2009 2
Life in a CHI Pack 4
Ruffy’s Urine Specimen 6
About the CCTC 7
Puppy Photo Gallery 8

Page 2
Coton de Tulear National Specialty 2009
Windsor, Nova Scotia
The Coton Malgache Volume 9 Issue 4
During the show organized by the
Canine Federation of Canada in
Windsor, Nova Scotia, October 17
and 18 2009, the CCTC held its
annual specialty.
Saturday afternoon, 4 Cotons were
ready to go into the ring with their
owners. There were 3 males and 1
female:
2 in the puppy class
1 in the junior class
1 in the open class
It was Mrs. Suzanne Lavigne, a
FCI judge from Montreal, who had
the pleasure to judge our Cotons.
Here are the results:
- Best Junior and Best of Breed
and Speciality: Dream du Domaine
de Polana – Breeder and
owner: Marie-France Prayal
- Best Puppy for the Speciality:
Monet du Domaine de Polana –
Breeder: Marie-France Prayal –
Owners: Lynne MacLellan and
Marie-France Prayal
- Winner female: Fuchsia of Swift
Cotton – Breeders: Christian Decolvenaere-Tibbe
– Owners:
Louise Simard and Marie-France
Prayal
For this speciality, we received
very nice donations. We would
like to thank:
- Lynne MacLellan who donated
beds, participants gifts. She also
prepared a very nice lunch for after
the speciality.
- Karen Black who donated a full
page colour advertisement in Canine
Review.
- The Canine Association of Nova
Scotia who donated the ribbons
Article and Photos submitted by Marie-France Prayal
Dream du Domaine de Polana with Monet du Domaine de Polana
Best Jurnior/Best of Breed and Best Puppy
and the rosettes.
- Marie-France Prayal who donated
beds and the judge’s gift.
Mrs Lavigne was very appreciated
by all the participants. She was
impressed by the quality of our
Cotons.
All the participants enjoyed being
together, it was a great weekend!
Suzanne Lavigne, Lynne MacLellan, & Monet

The Coton Malgache Volume 9 Issue 4
Page 3
Pictured from L to R:
Lynne MacLennan
Ms. Suzanne Lavigne,
Specialty Judge
Lorna Richardson
Marie-France Prayal
Coton de Tulear Specialty 2009
Coton Malgache – Newsletter Survey
Due to financial considerations, the CCTC Board is considering offering the Coton Malgache newsletter in an electronic format
only. The cost of a printing and mailing a paper newsletter consumes a large amount of the organization’s budget. For example, an
8 page, colour newsletter costs $4.54 and $1.18 to mail in Canada for a total of $5.72 per issue. With 4 issues per year, nearly $23
of your annual membership fee in newsletter costs, leaving too small an amount to cover the club’s other expenses such as membership
in the FCC/CFC and CKC, and sponsoring the annual Coton specialty.
A survey of the membership was sent out by email in December. Thank you to all those who responded at this busy time of year. A
total of 11 responses were received. Here are the results:
1. How do you currently receive the newsletter Paper 8 Electronically 3
2. Are you in favour of an electronic-only newsletter YES 11 NO 0
3. Would you be willing to pay an extra fee in order to receive a paper newsletter YES 0 NO 11
4. Comments or suggestions
I don’t have an issue saving the club some money but I’ll want to see some results from the redirected money. Perhaps an annual
Financial Statement showing how the money has been spent. This statement must be issued before the Board asks for Renewals.
It’s like a handshake.
I will be fine with an electronic newsletter
I am a strong supporter of receiving the newsletter electronically. It saves the planet and eliminates the need for costly and time
consuming production, mailing and all the time and energy to produce it. That being said, I only read the newsletter in hard copy
while I sit with a cuppa tea. I can’t spend much time reading stuff on a computer monitor and with a Newsletter – I like to ponder
and pour over it a bit… can’t do that as well on a computer
My only suggestion might be to give people a choice and charge the ones who want it in hard copy the increased cost to receive it
that way. Not everyone even has a computer so I think we need to accommodate those people but with some limits. I would limit
my suggestion to a simple colour printing of the electronic newsletter on regular paper and not a hard copy production on special
stock paper etc. That would reduce both the printing and postage costs significantly and would not incorporate any layout or production
costs.

Page 4
The Coton Malgache Volume 9 Issue 4
*as told by Lynne MacLellan, an enthusiastic and experienced
Chihuahua breeder (minegoldmissy@hotmail.com)
with “MONET”, her Coton de Tulear pup!
Life in a Chi* pack!
(*Chihuahua)
How did you discover the Coton breed
SOME YEARS BACK A LADY CAME TO THE HALIFAX
KENNEL CLUB SHOW & TRIALS WITH THE
COTONS AND GAVE US A DETAILED VIEW OF THE
BREED AT THE RARE SHOW. (THIS WAS MARIE-
FRANCE BUT I DID NOT KNOW HER THEN. I
WATCHED HER FOR A FEW YEARS AND THEN
SPOKE TO HER ONE AND BELIEVED SHE DID
KNOW HER BREED AND UNDERSTOOD WHAT I
WOULD LIKE TO DO WITH ONE)
- Does he have a best friend
HE SEEMS TO LIKE A MALE THAT IS GOING TO
TASMANIA IN A MONTH TEX-R-CANA BUT HE
DOES PLAY WITH RASCAL AS WELL.
- If yes, how do they do get along together
THEY ARE ALL GREAT AND ONE BEGINS THE HOLE
AND EVERYONE DOES THEIR PART. I WILL SAY
MONET STARTS THE HOLE AND USUALLY FIN-
ISHES IT. THEY DIG TILL THEY HIT ROCK.
- How does he do in the pack
HE FOLLOWS THE OLDER ONES TO AND FROM IN-
SIDE THE HOUSE AND KNOWS HIS AREA FOR
EATING AND SLEEPING. HE DOES NOT BOTHER
WITH ANOTHER HOUSE OR THEM HIS.
- Why did you decide to add a Coton to your
family
IT HAS BEEN ONE OF GREAT DEBATE TO BE HON-
EST. I WANTED SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH IN
THE RING AND LEARN AS I GO. THE COTON FOR
ME IS A NEW BREED AND INTERESTING AND
UNLIKE ANY I HAD SEEN. THE INTRIGUE I SUP-
POSE OF SHOWING ONE IS RATHER EXCITING.
-How did you introduce “Monet the Coton” to
your other dogs
AS I HAVE WITH ANY NEW DOG, SLOWLY AND IN
AN X-PEN AND AFTER TWO DAYS HE WAS A CHI-
HUAHUA!
- How did Monet react to the Chi and the
Papillion
HE LIKES THE CHI'S AND AS THE
ONLY PAP I DID HAVE IS NOW
GONE TO HER NEW HOME. HE IS
THE BIG CHI IN THE HOUSE.
CHIS COME AND GO WITH US
FOR TRAINING OR SOCIALIZING
AND MONET TAKES IT IN
STRIDE. IT IS JUST ONE THAT
VISITS AND IS GONE, HE IS
VERY GOOD TO TRY AND WEL-
COME A NEW ONE.
-Is he a leader Or at the bottom of the
group
HE IS A LEADER IN HOLE DIGGING. NO ONE IS
THE BOTTOM AS I FEEL THEY ALL GIVE AND TAKE
HERE HE IS ONE OF THEM AND THEY ONE OF
HIM. HOPE THAT MAKES SENSE; OR A MEMBER
OF THE PACK
- What do you like about Monet; any problem
with him
HE IS A BREED THAT REQUIRES A BIT MORE CARE
AND I HAVE THE TIME AND ENJOY THE SOLITUDE
AND OUR TIME TOGETHER. HIS BOTTOM END RE-
QUIRES MORE CLEAN UP TIME THAN THE OTHER
BREEDS I HAVE HAD BUT TRULY IT IS A MINOR
ONE. I THINK THE DIRTY WEATHER IS NOT THE
BEST BUT WE ARE GRASS, WOOD AND PATIO
Does he think he is a Chi or a
Pap
DEFINITELY A CHI!

Page 6 The Coton Malgache Volume 7 Issue 2
What about
the other
human member
in your
family
MY HUSBAND
GERRY CALLS
HIM AS HE
DOES THE
CHIS, ALL HIS
KIDS--- AND
HE GETS HIS
TREATS AND LOVE AS THE OTHERS DO. ALTHOUGH
HE WEIGHS IN AS NEARLY THREE TIMES THEIR
WEIGHT. HE NEVER THE LESS GETS HIS HUGS
AND LOVES. GERRY IS A WONDERFUL MAN WITH
THE DOGS AND HIS THOUGHTS ARE ALWAYS IF I
AM HAPPY HE IS HAPPY.
- If you compare with the Chi and the Papillion,
what are your thoughts
HE IS NOT A CHI OR PAP NOR ARE THEY ALIKE
TRULY. HE IS MORE DOG THAN I HAVE HAD IN
AWHILE. IT TAKES LONGER TO GROOM, BUT WHEN
DONE TRULY A MASTERPIECE AND HE LOVES IT
ALL. THE PAMPER IS PART OF HIS DAILY CARE BUT
I CAN TELL YOU NAIL CUTTING IS NOT. OTHER
WISE AS FOR BEING A "DAWG" HE IS JUST LIKE
THE CHIS AND THE PAPS.
- A funny experience with him
WELL HE LOVES THE POOL AND WHEN IT WAS
WARMER HE WAS THE FIRST ONE IN AND THE
LAST ONE OUT. HE LOVED TO BE IN THERE AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE. HEAVEN HELP THE ONE THAT
CHALLENGED HIS POOL TIME. HE WOULD SPLASH
THEM UNTIL THEY LEFT HIS POOL. WE RECTIFIED
THIS BY PUTTING UP TWO AND THEN HE CHOOSES
HIS AND THEY HAD THEIRS.
- A bad experience with him
WE HAVE HAD A FEW BAD HAIR DAYS WITH DIRT
AND RAIN BUT HONESTLY NOTHING OF ANY GREAT
MERIT. HE WAS A HANDFUL ON THE TREAD MILL
AT FIRST BUT NOW GOES ON WITHOUT A LEAD
AND WALKS ABOUT 15 MINUTES THREE TIMES A
WEEK WITH ME OR ANOTHER CHI! NO SMALL
RUBBER TOYS AROUND AND IF HE IS BORED HE
WILL FIND SOMETHING TO KEEP HIM OCCUPIED
LOVED A SPOOL OF THREAD AND IT WAS A PAIN
STAKING MESS TO CUT IT OUT OF HIS COAT
CAREFULLY NOT TO HARM HIS HAIR BUT WE DID
IT. HE THOUGHT IT WAS MUMMY ME TIME I AM
SURE. HE LOVES TO BE IN THE CROWD WHETHER
TO SLEEP IN A PACK LIKE A BALL OF SNAKES OR
LIE ABOUT IN THE SUN ON THE DECK AND PATIO
BLOCKS.
- How can you describe until now your experience
with a Coton
I HAVE LEARNED A LOT WITH MONET AND I FEEL
AM A BETTER PERSON TO UNDERSTAND THE
NEEDS AND WANTS OF SUCH A BREED. HE IS ONE
TO NEVER WASTE A MOMENT OF DAYLIGHT AND IS
NEVER FUSSY OR DESTRUCTIVE. HE SEEMS TO
BLOOM EVERYDAY AND I SHALL BE ON TENDER
HOOKS THE FIRST TIME HE IS IN THE RING.
-Was it a good decision to welcome him into
the pack
EXCELLENT AND I SHALL SAY THAT I HOPE HE IS
NOT MY LAST. IT IS AS THOUGH HE WAS BORN
HERE. MONET IS A WELCOMED ADDITION AND WE
ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE COMMENTS OF
THE CROWD WHEN HE MAKES HIS DEBUT. I HOPE
TO HONOUR MARIE-FRANCE AND MAKE HER
PROUD!
- Other questions or comments
AS IN ANY BREED, I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO
WATCH AND READ ON A BREED OR ANY ANIMAL
THEY ARE THINKING OF ADDING TO THEIR FAMILY.
A DOG IS SUCH A LONG TIME FRIEND WITH NEEDS
AND WANTS THAT WE THE HUMAN ARE RESPONSI-
BLE FOR. SO WHEN TAKING ON A NEW FRIEND,
WE TAKE ON ALL THAT ENTAILS AND I FEEL A LOT
OF PEOPLE DO NOT THINK BEYOND THE FLUFFY
PUPPY WITH THE PINK TONGUE! MINEGOLD IS
VERY PROUD OF OUR NEW BOY AND LOOK OUT
CFC HERE WE COME!

Page 6 The Coton Malgache Volume 9 Issue 4
When my vet told me I needed to collect a urine specimen from
my Coton, Ruffy, I was a bit shocked. “How will I do that” I
asked. The veterinarian suggested that a soup ladle works quite
well. Since I had just bought a brand new soup ladle, that idea
was not too appealing. With such a short dog, I also thought
something with a longer handle might be better.
Building the specimen container was the easy part. I found a
small plastic drink cup and a light garden stake and duct-taped
the two of them together. Red Green would be proud. I had been
given instructions to collect the urine specimen in the morning,
but not the very first urine expelled… preferably a “mid-stream”
sample.
Although I have three Cotons, Ruffy and I set out alone that first
morning so I could give my full attention to the task at hand. We
walked a few blocks and Ruffy kept stopping to look at me as if
to say, “Why did you leave the others at home” No matter how
many inviting posts and trees I led him to, he would not pee. I
had to return for the other two dogs.
Ruffy’s Urine Specimen
Submitted by Chris Wasylishyn
going about his business. Success continued to elude me. While
babies stay in one position during urine collection, Ruffy was
contorting himself around trees and posts. When he lifted his leg,
it tilted the bag upside down and the urine flowed up and out.
I needed something that would direct the flow into the bag but
not let it run out when Ruffy lifted his leg. Using a plastic funnel
and a plastic bag, I made a new device.
Final version of the urine collection device. Teeth marks
added after collection was completed!
Managing three dogs and three leashes was the least of my problems.
The first difficulty was quite predictable. Every time I
tried to get the collection device into place, Ruffy became distracted
and stopped what he was doing and gave me a look that
clearly said, “WHAT are you doing” After awhile, he began to
pay less attention to me. That’s when the second problem became
apparent. Ruffy likes to wrap himself around a tree as
tightly as possible when he lifts his leg, so getting the specimen
container between him and the tree was nearly impossible. Add
to that a short dog with long hair almost to the ground, and I
could not see anything that was happening. I was placing my
container blindly and hoping for the best.
Day 1 ended with a few drops of urine and quite a bit of sand in
my container. For the rest of the week, every morning I made
unsuccessful attempts to get a specimen. I tried first thing in the
morning in the yard when I did not have leashes to worry about.
I made a new collection device with a bigger cup but still got no
urine. This task seemed like “mission impossible.” I was feeling
very discouraged and at one point phoned the vet to ask if this
urine test was really necessary. Unfortunately the answer was
yes.
With three dogs on leash, we headed to the park. I was very excited
when I checked the bag repeatedly and my new device was
working! My plan was to wait till we got to the park, only 5
blocks from my home, so I could let the other dogs off leash and
take the collection bag off without spilling it. When we got to
the park, I nearly cried. The bag was all ragged, sandy, and
EMPTY of urine! As the plastic bag on the bottom filled with
urine, it got heavier and closer to the ground where it dragged
and was stepped on by Ruffy’s hind feet. The urine had all leaked
out of tiny tears in the plastic.
The next morning, I revised the device slightly so the bag did not
hang quite so low. I tied it around Ruffy, and let him into the
yard for his morning elimination. His first voiding put enough
urine in the bag for a specimen. Success at last. I wasted no time
getting it to the clinic
so it could be sent off
to the lab for analysis.
When telling my nurse friends about my latest challenge, they all
had the same response. “Why don’t you bag Ruffy like they do
for babies” In pediatrics, a clear plastic bag with adhesive edges
is taped around a baby’s genital area and the urine flows into a
bag. I could not tape the bag to Ruffy due to his hairy body, but
maybe I could tie a bag around him. I got a small freezer bag,
reinforced the edges with duct tape, poked holes in each side, and
tied on strings that could be tied on top of his back. Again, Ruffy
needed a bit of time to adjust, but was soon ignoring the bag and
What did the results
show Nothing… the
urinalysis was completely
normal!
Cottonmyst Sweet Woodruff
AKA Ruffy

Page 7 The Coton Malgache Volume 9 Issue 4
About Us….
Denis Carriere founded the Coton Malgache Publication in 1994 so that breed fanciers
might share their mutual interest. The club’s aim is to support, educate and
advise owners, members and prospective owners about the Coton de Tulear.
All members of the CCTC will abide by a code of ethics that will govern the breeding
and prosperity of these lovely animals, protecting and preserving the qualities of
the Coton de Tulear, and striving for its betterment.
CCTC publishes the Coton Malgache quarterly in March, June,
September and December. We encourage your submissions! Please do not hesitate
to send photos of, and articles about your Cotons. Photos will be returned upon request
if you include a S.A.S.E.
Deadline for the March 2010 Coton Malgache is
Advertising Rates
Coton Malgache
Colour
B/W
1/4 page ……. $35 $20
1/2 page ……. $60 $40
Full page ….. $120 $80
Business card $15 $10
Ads may be submitted as camera ready or in draft.
Draft text must be clearly typed.
February 22 , 2010.
Please send all submissions for the Coton Malgache to:
Email: chriswasy@shaw.ca
Subscriptions to the Coton Malgache are included with a CCTC membership.
Make your cheque or money order payable to CCTC. Fees for US and overseas
subscribers are payable in US funds.
The CCTC is a Canadian non-profit organizat.ion .
The opinions expressed in the Coton Malgache are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect those of the publisher.
The articles in the Coton Malgache belong to their authors and cannot be reproduced
either in whole or in part in any form without written permission of the author.
Photos should be clear and in sharp contrast to ensure
quality reproduction.
Cheques should be made payable to the CCTC.
Payment must be submitted before deadline.
www.coton.ca
Advertising is available on our website.
Sponsor Advertising
$25 per calendar year for a business card
$45 per calendar year with a live link to a website
*
Breeder Directory
Members Only
Litter Announcements
$15 per litter for 3 months
$10 per ad for one older dog
*
Contact Marie-France Prayal at:
polana@ns.sympatico.ca
CCTC Executive
President: Karen Black
Email: karen@cotonwind.com Tel. 877-811-3699
Past-President: Marie-France Prayal
Email: polana@ns.sympatico.ca Tel. 902-757-0826
Vice-President: Thais Frook
Email: puppies@lakecountrycotons.ca
Treasurer & Interim Secretary: Barbara Fenn
Email: barbfenn@rogers.com Tel. 416-483-0780
Ontario Director: Joanne Mouryas
Email: payzackennel@hotmail.com Tel. 416-282-9253
Eastern Director & Interim Western Director:
Marie-France Prayal
Email: polana@ns.sympatico.ca (902) 757-0826
Membership Chairperson & Website Liaison: Marie-France Prayal
Email: polana@ns.sympatico.ca Tel. 902-757-0826
Newletter Editor/Coordinator
Chris Wasylishyn
chriswasy@shaw.ca 604-876-7106

Page 8 The Coton Malgache Volume 7 Issue 2
Correction: Sept/Oct Coton Malgache.
My apologies for neglecting to give credit for 3 stories in the last issue under the heading of Tango’s Adventures: Tango’s Birthday
BBQ, Tango’s Health Concerns, and Tango Gets Blessed were all submitted by Tango’s proud and loving owner, Rina Paniccia.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rina for all her contributions to the newsletter while she served
as Pet Coordinator. THANK YOU, Rina, for an excellent job!
Dreamsport puppies 5 weeks
Puppy
Photo
Gallery
Lake Country puppies—Peaches first litter
Dreamsport little boy 2 weeks
Dreamsport puppies 2 weeks old
Payzac’s Izzy
Payzac’s Scarlett O’Hara
Manny and Coco Bijou whit their owners, Jennie and Valerie Brimicombe.
New Pet Coordinator
We have a new Pet co-ordinator, Lynn Timson, who will carry on the work of bringing the "Pet" owner's perspective
to the CCTC newsletter. In Lynn’s words: “We are all brought together by our love for this little clown.
I hope I can contribute some articles which will be humourous and helpful to the club members Please let me
know what your expectations for the "Pet" section of the newsletter. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Lynn lives in Calendonia, Ontario with her Coton, Trinity who was born March 4 last year. Lynn says, “...we
brought her home when she was 9 weeks old - it was love at first sight. She has brought so much fun and
laughter to our home. I also I have two Choc. Labs, Lexi who is 11 1/2 and Bailey who is 6 1/2.”
Lynn can be reached at 905-765-2958 or lynntimson@hotmail.com