On a blustery Chicago winter day, I was held spellbound by a beautiful Coton de Tulear during a chance encounter in 1996. The memory of the bewitching, little Coton remained with me. Two years later when our children were old enough to responsibly handle a small breed dog, we welcomed home our first adorable Coton puppy, Tiger Lily. Our love affair with the Coton de Tulear breed officially began. Now our family includes three lively Cotons. Over the years, this journey has introduced us to the gratification of pet therapy, the challenge of agility training and finally, to the excitement of conformation showing. The boundless affection of our Cotons has been a marvelous life experience.
Gayle at Mother and Son Reunions
Gayle at Mother and Son Reunion
Here at Windy City Coton, we occasionally bring puppies into the world as a passionate hobby rather than a business. We care deeply about the future well-being of our Coton de Tulear puppies, so placement is reserved for qualified home situations. Our focus is to produce Cotons with a joyous nature, robust health, and a charming appearance. Mates are carefully considered for their loving temperaments, health, sound structure and beauty. We strive to preserve the unique characteristics of the breed as outlined in the Coton de Tulear Breed Standards of AKC and FCI. Our parents are extensively tested for good health. These health tests include OFA Certifications for a variety of physical evaluations (i.e. cardiac, eye, thyroid, patella, etc.) and DNA genetic analyses. It is worth noting a puppy's best head start in life is healthy parents. Comprehensive annual blood panels are performed on each of our Cotons. We firmly believe that health testing is a key component in sustaining the hardy legacy of the Coton de Tulear breed.
Puppies are nurtured inside our home and cherished as members of our family. Socialization begins from the first day of birth with gentle touching and soft voices. When the newborn pups’ ears and eyes begin to open, music and a colorful mobile are introduced. As puppies begin to walk, new opportunities to explore and play become available. At 7 weeks of age, a Puppy Temperament Test is performed to assess personality traits. By the time our Coton de Tulear puppies are ready to leave for their forever homes between 10 to 11 weeks old, their world has greatly expanded and they have experienced the normal sights and sounds of a household environment, taken car rides, and entertained a variety of visitors. Before going home, puppies are microchipped and have received two veterinary examinations with documented evaluations of good health, and their first set of vaccinations. Our contract includes a two year written health guarantee.
Puppies Play Toys

Puppies Play Toys


Jeff and His Two Harleys

Jeff and His Two Harleys

Windy City Coton is a Code of Ethics Breeder with North American Coton Association (NACA) and United States of America Coton de Tulear Club (USACTC). NACA is United Kennel Club's (UKC) designated National Coton de Tulear Breed Association. The USACTC is American Kennel Club's (AKC) Parent Club for the Coton de Tulear breed. We are privileged to be associated with the Coton de Tulear Breeders of Excellence as well. This dedicated group of experienced Coton owners is committed to preserving the quality, health, and heritage of the breed. We provide pedigree registrations for all our Coton puppies through, both, the UKC and AKC.
Preparing for the arrival of a new puppy is a cheerful and busy time, brimming with anticipation. We give future owners a shopping list, catalogs, and literature regarding housebreaking, feeding, grooming, and training. It is our wish that Coton puppies and their owners get off to the best possible start. So each new family receives a Windy City Coton Puppy Care Package that includes an appropriate size crate, a Snuggle Puppy with heartbeat, favorite toys and treats, a collar, leash, and halter, puppy food, written puppy care instructions, veterinary records, a vaccination schedule, and CD’s of the music that the puppies have been reared with--to ease the transition to a new environment.
Coton pups learning to eat

Coton Pups Learning to Eat

Future Coton owners visit us and have the opportunity to learn grooming, feeding and training tips prior to taking their puppy home. A strong emphasis is placed on the value of continuing communication with owners. Our wonderful Coton owners have made a significant commitment to their fluffy companions. We are available to provide ongoing guidance throughout each Coton’s lifetime and hope to protect the long-term welfare of the rare Coton de Tulear. If you would like to hear more about the windswept Cotons of Windy City, please contact us. We enjoy chatting about this whimsical breed!

© "Jeff and His Two Harley's" photograph courtesy of Cathy Regan



Windy City Coton is recognized for excellent health testing practices of Cotons de Tulear.

Canine genetic testing by Embark



 

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