Celebrating the Coton. Preserving the breed.
Amended October 26, 2026
The Canadian Coton de Tulear Club is a non-profit Canadian organisation devoted to the preservation and welfare of this rare breed. All members agree to live by our mission statement: "Celebrating the Coton. Preserving the Breed."
CCTC Code of Ethics breeders are committed to preserving the physical, psychological and genetic integrity of the Coton de Tulear. We are proud to be responsible breeders who follow the FCI standard, and we set ourselves apart from those who exploit the breed for profit alone.
CCTC Code of Ethics breeders speak out against puppy mills, pet store dog sales, backyard breeders and online brokers. A breeder will not take part in breeding mixed breeds or designer dogs, and will not supply breeding stock to puppy mills, puppy farms, large scale breeders, backyard breeders or brokers, whether by direct sale of dogs or through stud or bitch services.
The club is an inclusive organisation. Our members share a passion for this breed, and we welcome anyone who celebrates the Coton, believes in the mission, and is willing to follow this Code of Ethics. Members are expected to treat each other with integrity and tact at all times, and never to speak about another member in a derogatory way to a fellow member, a prospective owner, or the public.
If a member's membership is revoked or suspended by another canine organisation, such as the CFC, the CKC or a local club, the CCTC will apply the same revocation or suspension for an equivalent period. If the other organisation later lifts the suspension and the member is reinstated in good standing, the CCTC will consider a request to restore membership. The same guideline applies to any member who is investigated or charged with animal mistreatment by the SPCA or any other body.
I acknowledge that the conditions in which dogs and puppies are raised by Code of Ethics breeders and owners matter a great deal, and that they set us apart from non-ethical breeders, puppy mills and backyard breeders. With this in mind, I agree to maintain the best possible standards of canine health, sanitary living conditions and veterinary care. I agree to provide a mentally stimulating environment, including socialisation, for my dogs and puppies. I will treat all animals in my care with kindness and compassion, never using harsh training methods, and I will teach my puppy buyers to do the same.
On breeding
The purpose of breeding the Coton de Tulear is to better the breed and to produce physically sound puppies that show no clinical signs of illness, structural problems or temperamental defects. The goal is for those puppies to grow into adult dogs that reflect the FCI standard in structure and character. CCTC Code of Ethics breeders accept the responsibility of preserving and protecting the breed, and they approach breeding with interest, knowledge, dedication, care and commitment.
Requirements
- I will abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the CCTC.
- I will plan every mating with the aim of improving and preserving breed type, temperament and health, keeping in mind the coefficient of inbreeding, the age of both dogs, and the conformation of sire and dam.
- I will screen every prospective buyer carefully to make sure they are suited to Coton ownership, and to make sure the puppy will have an excellent quality of life.
- I will register every Coton I own or co-own, and every puppy from litters I produce, with the official registry body for the Coton de Tulear in Canada, following its rules. I will use permanent identification, either a microchip or a tattoo.
- I will include health tests in my breeding programme and make ethical choices based on the results. I will use the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) as a guideline for testing. I will keep up to date on all health issues that affect the Coton de Tulear, and test as needed for the good of the breed. Decisions will be based on bloodlines and the overall health of the breed. I will understand the mode of inheritance and manage carriers so that affected dogs are not produced.
- I will take responsibility for the well-being of every puppy produced by my kennel for its entire life.
- I will do my best to help with CCTC initiatives, whether that means Coton rescue, club improvements or other projects. I will be positive, helpful and respectful to fellow breeders.
- I will not over-breed my bitches for profit, with no regard for the quality of the puppies or the health of the female. The CCTC recommends that a female is bred from a minimum age of 18 months to a maximum age of 6 years, with a maximum of 5 litters in her lifetime.
- As the owner of a stud dog, I will breed only healthy, mature dogs. I will refuse stud service to any immature bitch, any bitch in poor health, any bitch with serious faults, non-purebred Cotons, and any dog from a non-ethical breeder, backyard breeder, puppy mill or puppy farm. The CCTC recommends that breeders consider semen evaluations when deciding on the health and viability of stud dogs.
- I will not donate a Coton de Tulear as a prize for a raffle, auction or contest.
On sales
- I will sell every Coton de Tulear I produce with a sales contract. Each contract will contain the registered names of the sire and dam, their registration numbers, and their call names. (Added October 26, 2016.)
- I will keep records of all my litters, and of any health issues, so that problems can be eliminated.
- I will list the CCTC as my affiliated Parent Breed Club if I promote the Coton de Tulear through advertising. Code of Ethics breeders are encouraged to display the CCTC logo.
- I understand that if an ethical complaint is filed against me or my kennel, I will be able to dispute any allegation in writing and appeal any sanction against me.
- I will keep a reasonable, competitive price for my area.
- I will keep records of all puppy buyers.
- I will classify stock honestly and intelligently as show prospects or pet companions. If I am in doubt, I will ask a knowledgeable breeder to help classify the litter.
- I will avoid false or misleading advertising.
- I will supply the buyer with records of immunisation, worming, future care and feeding, and a written health guarantee of at least one year.
- I will provide puppy buyers with the health test results and pedigree of the parents if they ask.
- I will provide lifelong support to puppy buyers, including ongoing advice.
Conformation shows
- The CCTC encourages breeders and members to exhibit their Coton de Tulear whenever possible, and to present high quality stock.
- With an eye to the long term benefit to the CCTC and the breed, exhibitors are encouraged to help and encourage the novice exhibitor and breeder, and always to use constructive and honest criticism.
- At shows I will show good sportsmanship and positive reinforcement, and I will refrain from negative comments. I will represent the CCTC in a positive way.
Health tests
The CCTC recommends basing tests on CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) standards, while keeping up to date on new health information. The CCTC encourages registration of all test results with the OFA. We trust and expect that our Code of Ethics breeders will embrace health testing in order to preserve the health of the breed and to maintain their standing as Code of Ethics breeders. If you choose not to register with the OFA, you must be willing to provide proof of health testing if a puppy buyer or the CCTC board asks for it. The CCTC encourages more than the two DNA tests recommended by CHIC. It is the breeder's responsibility to keep current on all health information and to check CHIC regularly, because the recommendations can and will change. The following are the current CHIC recommendations.
Eye examination by a board certified ophthalmologist.
- Results registered with OFA or CERF.
Patellar luxation
- OFA evaluation.
Hip dysplasia
- OFA evaluation.
- Penn Hip.
Health elective: two tests from the following list.
- OFA cardiac evaluation, or
- OFA thyroid evaluation from an approved laboratory, or
- vWD DNA test from an approved laboratory, or
- OFA elbow evaluation, or
- Neonatal cerebellar ataxia (Bandera's syndrome) DNA test, or
- Degenerative myelopathy DNA test from an approved laboratory, or
- Canine multifocal retinopathy 2 DNA test from an approved laboratory, or
- Primary hyperoxaluria DNA test from an approved laboratory, or
- Hyperuricosuria DNA test from an approved laboratory.
I hereby agree to abide by the above CCTC Code of Ethics to the best of my ability, putting the welfare and advancement of the Coton de Tulear breed first and foremost, above and beyond the goal of profit.
Signature of member or breeder: _______________________________________
Date: _______________________________________________________________
If you would like to know more about the Code of Ethics, or you are thinking about joining the club, please write to us, call us, or come and visit us at a club event.
