"There are two kinds of dog people in this world: small dog people, and dog people who haven't yet met and fallen in love with the right small
dog." Pat Miller WDJ volume 6, number 3.
I have seen this quotation borne out first hand on more than several occasions. Particularly when it comes to the male gender of our species.
Approximately 90% of the time my initial contact is with the "Woman of the Household". The men are usually willing to indulge their female
counterpart but are not particularly willing participants. Invariably, I hear back weeks or months later about how in love the guy is with this
little bitty Coton dog! For example, one reluctant male party received a king size pillow on Father's day so there would be more room on his
pillow for both he and the dog to fit! Another gentleman has been observed staying up until after his kids go to bed so he can have the Coton
all to himself! The stories go on and on. I'm to the point where I could almost guarantee that any man who is around Cotons for any length
of time will fall in love with them. So, what is it about these little white poof balls anyway?
Usually, a few convincing arguments in favor of spending your child's college education fund on the purchase of a Coton are that they don't
shed, are hypoallergenic, are easy on your property, are generally well received in public and play well with others (human and otherwise.
Additionally, they are quite jovial little creatures who are quite amusing to observe and cost less than a big screen television. For those of you
who enjoy a more interactive pastime, they are quite happy to teach you many of their games. Though not bred for any useful function other
than companionship (oh, but what could be more important you say!), they are delightfully and surprisingly intelligent.
The Coton is a true Renaissance Dog. Happy to lie on or beside you as you answer all your emails or check your latest bid on EBay, they are
hearty and willing hikers! Though you or your furniture will not be made to "pay" for choosing to not walk them on that cold and snowy night,
they do absolutely adore their outings!
So you say, this is the most perfect dog in the world, I think a will get a few of them - my children probably won't go to college anyway and
who knows what may happen between now and then anyway. Well, as perfect as they may be, they aren't for everyone. No you say, how
can that be?
Here's the dirty little secret I have discovered during my tenure with Cotons. They BARK! Some definitely more than others and if you do have
just one (I can't understand how, but never mind), you should be able to get a good handle on it. Almost all of them will bark when someone
knocks at the door but will usually stop when the person enters. Most will bark when someone or something unexpectedly appears or
approaches while on a walk. Some are hyper vigilant and will bark at unexpected or foreign sounds. I have 5 intact dogs, live on a walking path
and have wood floors (translate, no acoustic absorption of sound) and would not feel at all put out if my dogs never barked a day in their life.
Consequently, I am very sensitive about the barking issue. Their barks range in pitch from truly obnoxious high pitch to "my what a big dog you
sound like". So, there you have it, the ugly truth about Cotons. But wait, there's one more... but not quite as ugly. " The Coton's coat is easy
to maintain" Yeah right, who's world do you live in? Not to say that it can't be done, it just takes time and the willingness to train your coton
to allow you to brush her without feeling like you're wrestling a baby alligator. Once they "allow" you to brush them, it can actually be a
relaxing experience. Like I say, some people knit, I brush Cotons.
Oh, and while we're being truthful....have you heard the one about how cotons get along with other dogs and animals? Well, some do but
not all of them! I think it's a safe bet that they get along with other animals in your household but there are more than just a few Cotons out
there that bark their fool heads off when they meet another dog on the street. Believe me, my gang earned the title, "The White Mafia"!
About this time you're probably thinking that; a) I have no business having any dogs at all much less perpetuating them, b) You aren't even
reading this because you closed the website awhile back and are thanking your lucky stars you changed your mind about getting a Coton, or c)
Okay, so they're not perfect, I can live with that. I'm sure I can do a better job with training than this woman does!
dog." Pat Miller WDJ volume 6, number 3.
I have seen this quotation borne out first hand on more than several occasions. Particularly when it comes to the male gender of our species.
Approximately 90% of the time my initial contact is with the "Woman of the Household". The men are usually willing to indulge their female
counterpart but are not particularly willing participants. Invariably, I hear back weeks or months later about how in love the guy is with this
little bitty Coton dog! For example, one reluctant male party received a king size pillow on Father's day so there would be more room on his
pillow for both he and the dog to fit! Another gentleman has been observed staying up until after his kids go to bed so he can have the Coton
all to himself! The stories go on and on. I'm to the point where I could almost guarantee that any man who is around Cotons for any length
of time will fall in love with them. So, what is it about these little white poof balls anyway?
Usually, a few convincing arguments in favor of spending your child's college education fund on the purchase of a Coton are that they don't
shed, are hypoallergenic, are easy on your property, are generally well received in public and play well with others (human and otherwise.
Additionally, they are quite jovial little creatures who are quite amusing to observe and cost less than a big screen television. For those of you
who enjoy a more interactive pastime, they are quite happy to teach you many of their games. Though not bred for any useful function other
than companionship (oh, but what could be more important you say!), they are delightfully and surprisingly intelligent.
The Coton is a true Renaissance Dog. Happy to lie on or beside you as you answer all your emails or check your latest bid on EBay, they are
hearty and willing hikers! Though you or your furniture will not be made to "pay" for choosing to not walk them on that cold and snowy night,
they do absolutely adore their outings!
So you say, this is the most perfect dog in the world, I think a will get a few of them - my children probably won't go to college anyway and
who knows what may happen between now and then anyway. Well, as perfect as they may be, they aren't for everyone. No you say, how
can that be?
Here's the dirty little secret I have discovered during my tenure with Cotons. They BARK! Some definitely more than others and if you do have
just one (I can't understand how, but never mind), you should be able to get a good handle on it. Almost all of them will bark when someone
knocks at the door but will usually stop when the person enters. Most will bark when someone or something unexpectedly appears or
approaches while on a walk. Some are hyper vigilant and will bark at unexpected or foreign sounds. I have 5 intact dogs, live on a walking path
and have wood floors (translate, no acoustic absorption of sound) and would not feel at all put out if my dogs never barked a day in their life.
Consequently, I am very sensitive about the barking issue. Their barks range in pitch from truly obnoxious high pitch to "my what a big dog you
sound like". So, there you have it, the ugly truth about Cotons. But wait, there's one more... but not quite as ugly. " The Coton's coat is easy
to maintain" Yeah right, who's world do you live in? Not to say that it can't be done, it just takes time and the willingness to train your coton
to allow you to brush her without feeling like you're wrestling a baby alligator. Once they "allow" you to brush them, it can actually be a
relaxing experience. Like I say, some people knit, I brush Cotons.
Oh, and while we're being truthful....have you heard the one about how cotons get along with other dogs and animals? Well, some do but
not all of them! I think it's a safe bet that they get along with other animals in your household but there are more than just a few Cotons out
there that bark their fool heads off when they meet another dog on the street. Believe me, my gang earned the title, "The White Mafia"!
About this time you're probably thinking that; a) I have no business having any dogs at all much less perpetuating them, b) You aren't even
reading this because you closed the website awhile back and are thanking your lucky stars you changed your mind about getting a Coton, or c)
Okay, so they're not perfect, I can live with that. I'm sure I can do a better job with training than this woman does!
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