Why You Should Buy a Coton From a USACTC COE Breeder
With the purchase of my first Coton Puppy, I did not investigate “Where does that Puppy in the Window Come From?” I did a lot of research on the internet of where to find a Coton, but did not realize the importance of learning where NOT to purchase a Coton.
I just could not wait to get my hands on my very own Coton. I did buy from a Code Of Ethics Breeder. Thankfully, I did purchase a wonderful pet with no health problems, but I was scared silly. I was constantly asking myself am I doing the right thing buying a puppy from someone off the internet? The only thing that got me through the sale was the knowledge that this person was a USACTC Code Of Ethics Breeder.
Years have passed since my first purchase of a Coton. I have done many hours of research, and find that there are a lot of people, not Code of Ethics breeders, that are just there to take your money. They do not guarantee the health of the puppies, and many do not take the time, money or the effort to health test their dogs, or even spend quality time with the adult dogs, much less spending any time socializing the puppies.
In an effort to assist those looking for a wonderful companion, I have tried to put together helpful information for “You, the Potential Coton de Tulear Owner”. Please be sure to read the downside of buying from a puppy mill.
Ruth Weidrick
A USACTC Code of Ethics breeder breeds only to produce the best physically sound puppy. This puppy should exhibit no clinical signs of illness, no structural problems, and exhibit excellent temperaments. This puppy will mature into an adult that will reflect the FCI breed standard for the Coton de Tulear.
What does this mean to you?
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics breeders carefully select their breeding stock from bloodlines that often have champions in the pedigree, are health tested and have no history of clinical signs of illness, structural abnormalities or temperamental defects.
Health Testing
The following health screening tests but not limited to, will be performed on all dogs being evaluated and or used for breeding.
Requirements -Results registered with OFA
Eye Examination-ACVO Ophthalmologist
Patellar Luxation
Hip Dysplasia
Elective (3 of the following) by approved Lab or Specialist
Congenital Caridiac Exam
Advanced Cardiac Exam
OFA Elbow Evaluation
OFA Thyroid
DNA-Based- approved Labatory w/ results registered with the OFA
vWD (von Willebrand’s)
NCA (Bandara’s Syndrome)
DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)
CMR(Canine Multifocal Retinopathy)
Other Recommended/Suggested Tests (Optional)
OFA Legg-Calves-Perthes evaluation
DNA -Based approved Labatory w/ results registered with the OFA
PH (Primary Hyperoxaluria)
HU (Hyperuricosuria)
CDPA (Chondrodysplasia)
CDDY (Chondrodystrophy
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeder takes extreme pride in their puppies and dogs – puppies and their parents live in the breeders home, not in a kennel environment; never locked in a cage without love and socialization. A Code of Ethics Breeder commits to ensuring that their puppies have crucial early socialization in order to help the puppy properly develop. They are there to assist the new puppy buyer with any question or concern regarding their new family member.
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeder places their puppies with only the best possible families. In most cases, the potential buyer must complete a screening questionnaire and/or go through an interview with the breeder.
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeders have a lifetime commitment to each of the puppies they sell. They are agreeable to continued contact with each new family , welcoming photos and enjoying stories. Most require that if circumstances arise in which the puppy/dog must be re-homed, it is with their assistance. Companion puppies are sold under a spay or neuter contract with the goals of protecting the individual dogs health and the breed’s future by only allowing the best possible specimens to be bred.
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeders give up personal time to volunteer for the breed and club in addition to the time they spend with their own personal dogs.
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeders take time with prospective puppy buyers to help educate them on the importance of buying from a reputable breeder who does health testing and genetic research into the bloodlines of their breeding stock. Oftentimes you may hear them say “You may buy a dog cheaper, but you may pay more for the discount dog in the long run in visits to the vet with ongoing health problems”. The first few vet visits for a sick discount puppy could involve blood work(s) that will exceed the purchase price of the discount puppy. One thing puppy mills and pet stores count on is that after the sale when you take your sweet puppy home, you are willing to keep this sick puppy and pay the vet bills in order to prevent it from going back to the “breeder”. The seller many times will guarantee the puppy by saying, “they will replace the sick puppy”. Stop for a moment and ask yourself, would you want another sick puppy from this person?
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeders commit themselves to a higher standard of breeding by only breeding the best quality, health tested individuals. While emotionally difficult, a Code of Ethics breeder always places the health of the breed over their personal emotions. Code of Ethics breeders often make the difficult decision to remove a treasured dog from the breeding program because it failed a health screening even if it exhibits no signs of any problems.
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeders breed to preserve the best qualities of the breed, always trying to breed the “perfect dogs”. Keeping the best interests of the breed in mind, as opposed to lining their pockets with profits off the backs of their dogs, is what drives the Code of Ethics breeder.
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeders have a passion to learn as much about the Coton de Tulear as possible, not “in one day” and out the next”. They are in the breed for the long haul.
Breed Welfare Code of Ethics Breeders show and compete with their home bred dogs in order to obtain unbiased professional opinions on their dogs and have opportunities to see them compared to dogs from other kennels. Some also choose to participate in agility, obedience, therapy, doggie dancing, etc. A Breed Welfare Code of Ethics breeders Code of Ethics breeder is involved with their dogs.