The Coton de Tulear, often referred to as the “Royal Dog of Madagascar,” is a beloved pet known for its happy temperament and fluffy, abundant coat.
As these adorable little dogs grow, it’s important to keep track of their development to ensure they reach their full potential in size and health.
If you’re a new owner – welcome! If you are an experienced dog owner – also welcome!
This Coton de Tulear growth chart will give you a deep understanding of their growth patterns from puppyhood to maturity.
Coton De Tulear Growth Chart Overview
To help you understand how your puppy will grow, we’ve created a handy Coton de Tulear growth chart table.
This table provides an easy-to-follow guide to the typical growth patterns of Cotons from birth to adulthood.
| Age | Weight Range (lbs) | Weight Range (kgs) | Development Stages |
| Birth | 0.5 – 0.75 | 0.2 – 0.3 | Dependent on mother, initial weight gain |
| 2 Weeks | 1 – 1.5 | 0.45 – 0.7 | Eyes and ears start to open, beginning to explore surroundings |
| 4 Weeks | 1.5 – 2.5 | 0.7 – 1.1 | Increased mobility, starting to play and interact |
| 8 Weeks | 2 – 4 | 0.9 – 1.8 | Weaning off mother’s milk, transitioning to solid food |
| 3 Months | 3 – 5 | 1.4 – 2.3 | Rapid growth, more coordinated movement |
| 6 Months | 5 – 8 | 2.3 – 3.6 | Continued growth, starting to show adult proportions |
| 9 Months | 6 – 10 | 2.7 – 4.5 | Slower growth, nearing adult size, development of adult coat |
| 1 Year | 8 – 12 | 3.6 – 5.4 | Reaching adult size, full coat development, maturity |
| 2 Years | 8 – 13 | 3.6 – 5.9 | Full adult weight and size, stable and mature |
This table gives you a snapshot of what to expect as your Coton de Tulear grows.
Remember, every dog is unique, and these figures are only estimates. The actual growth of Coton de Tulear female or male may vary.
Regular check-ups and your vet’s opinions are necessary for a more accurate estimate of your dog’s development.
Coton De Tulear Puppy Growth Chart
Watching your Coton de Tulear puppy grow is such a pawesome experience.
Did you know that there is a study that developed evidence-based growth standards for dogs using data from over 6 million young dogs? It made growth charts for different breeds, sexes, and whether the dog was neutered or not, providing valuable insights into how these factors affect a dog’s growth (1).
Building on this approach, our Coton de Tulear growth chart will guide you through simple steps to track your puppy’s journey from puppyhood to proud adulthood.
Let’s help you monitor your pup’s progress, making sure they’re developing well and staying healthy.
Birth To 2 Weeks
During the first two weeks of life, Coton de Tulear puppies are incredibly dependent on their mother.
At birth, these puppies are among the smallest individuals in the canine world, similar in size to the American Eskimo Dog puppies but smaller.
Their weight at birth can vary, but it’s crucial for them to start gaining weight immediately.
So, the primary focus is on growth and development, with the most amount of weight gain occurring during nursing sessions.
In these early days, the puppies’ eyes and ears are closed, and they rely on their sense of touch and smell to find their mother during meal times.
They spend most of their time sleeping. In fact, these little bundles of joy can sleep up to 22 hours a day! Sleep is very important for their growth and development during these early weeks.
As they sleep, you might notice their tiny paws twitching or see their little noses wriggling. Perhaps they are dreaming of the warmth and comfort of their mother, the excitement of discovering new smells, or the gentle nuzzles from their siblings!
They are born with a soft, fluffy puppy coat that begins to show their future adult coat’s characteristics.
White hairs dominate, but there can be slight shadings of light grey or tan hairs. As they grow, you’ll notice changes in their coat color, which is part of their natural development.
2 Weeks To 8 Weeks
From 2 to 8 weeks, your Coton de Tulear puppy goes through some incredible changes.
During this period, your little pup will go from about 10-12 ounces (280-340 grams) to around 2-3 pounds (0.9-1.4 kg).
That’s a lot of growth for such small dogs, and it’s a great sign they’re on track to reaching their adult weight!
At around 2 weeks, their eyes and ears open, and they start noticing the world. By 4 weeks, these puppies will be stumbling around, playing, and getting stronger.
By 8 weeks, they’re much more coordinated and full of playful energy. You’ll see them using their hind legs more, and their top line will start to look more defined as they grow.
They’ll begin socializing with their littermates and humans, learning important social skills.
Your puppy’s fluffy coat will keep growing. You might notice changes in coat color, with white hairs becoming more prominent and slight shadings of light grey or tan hairs appearing.
8 Weeks To 6 Months
By the end of this period, your puppy will grow significantly, often reaching about half of their adult weight.
Most puppies will weigh between 4 to 8 pounds by 6 months, depending on their genetics and overall health status.
This is a critical period for socialization. Your puppy’s happy temperament will become more apparent as they interact with people and other animals.
Now is the time to teach them basic commands and socialize them with various environments and people! Simple steps in training will go a long way.
Apart from that, you’ll notice their muscles developing, especially around the shoulder blades and hind legs. They’ll grow taller and start to show the early signs of their adult size.
During this period, you may notice some differences in growth between male and female puppies. Males might start to grow slightly faster and appear a bit larger than females.
However, both males and females should be active, playful, and developing well. Female puppies might be a bit more delicate in their features compared to their male counterparts, but both will exhibit the same playful energy and happy temperament.
6 Months To 1 Year
From 6 months to 1 year your puppy will be steadily gaining weight, aiming to reach their adult weight .
By the time they are 1 year old, most Cotons will weigh between 8 to 13 pounds.
Lots of things have changed.
According to the official breed standard, by now, your Coton should have complete dentition and a level bite. Your puppy’s body will become more proportionate, with the length of the body and height balancing out. Their shoulder blades and hind legs will become more muscular too!
Your Coton’s happy temperament will be in full swing. They will be energetic and playful, making them wonderful family dogs.
Socialization remains important, so continue exposing them to different people, environments, and other pets to ensure they remain well-rounded and confident.
The transition from the puppy coat to the adult coat will be nearly complete.
You’ll notice the white hairs becoming more abundant, and any slight shadings of light grey or tan hairs will become more defined. You may even notice some black hairs on their ears, which is completely normal!
It may resemble one of Shih Tzu colors, which is why people may confuse the two. However, just like Shih Tzu’s, Coton’s luxurious coat will be lush and require regular grooming to maintain its beautiful, natural long look.
1 Year To 2 Years
From 1 year to 2 years, your Coton de Tulear transitions from an energetic puppy to a more mature and stable adult dog.
Now, your once puppy is a mature specimen which typically weighs between 8 to 13 pounds.
Your Coton’s happy temperament will be well-established and, if raised properly, they would make the best family dogs. Don’t get me wrong, it is not as if they are retiring now.
They’ll still enjoy playtime but will also have longer periods of calm and relaxation. Congrats, you’ve officially survived the puppy stage!
The adult coat is now fully developed, and now you’ve got yourself a pup that looks like a living teddy bear! Their natural long fur features abundant white hairs, possibly with a bit of a grey appearance.
Even though your Coton has reached their adult weight, regular dog’s weighings are essential to maintain healthy weight and prevent obesity.
Having said that, the adult dog’s meal time becomes even more important now, as their metabolism is not as fast as that of a puppy.
Therefore, feed them high-quality dog food that meets their dietary needs, and try to stick to regular feeding schedules.
How Big Do Coton De Tulear Grow?
These little dogs usually stand about 9 to 11 inches tall at the highest point of shoulder, making them slightly taller than some other small breeds like Shih Tzus, but still compact and easy to handle.
A full-grown, purebred Coton De Tulear typically weighs between 8 to 13 pounds.
The smallest individuals may weigh around 8 pounds, while the largest individuals can reach up to 13 pounds. These big Cotons are still considered small dogs but may have a more robust build.
One of the great advantages of Cotons is their longevity. Small dogs like this one tend to live longer than larger dogs.
Monitoring And Managing Coton De Tulear Growth
Keeping track of your Coton de Tulear’s growth is important to ensure they develop into happy, healthy adult dogs.
By using a Coton de Tulear growth chart, you can easily monitor their progress.
Regular dog’s weighings and vet check-ups are mandatory to making sure your Coton is hitting all the right milestones.
By keeping an eye on their weight and size, you can adjust their nutrition and exercise to support their growth.
Remember, your vet’s opinions are invaluable for getting the most accurate estimate of your pup’s development.
With a little attention and care, you’ll help your Coton thrive every step of the way!
References
1. Salt, C., Morris, P., German, A., Wilson, D., Lund, E., Cole, T., & Butterwick, R. (2017). Growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes. PLoS ONE, 12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182064.
Meet Iram, a devoted veterinarian, passionate dog lover, and current Ph.D. candidate at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Seamlessly blending her roles as a vet and content writer, Iram channels her love for dogs into heartfelt narratives.
Since childhood, Iram nurtured a dream of becoming a vet, a passion that runs deep in her family. Having now fulfilled that dream, she’s eager to share her acquired knowledge. In her writing, Iram not only explores the emotional bond between humans and their canine friends but also integrates her veterinary expertise, offering readers a holistic understanding of their beloved pets.