How Much Does a Coton de Tulear Cost? 2024 Price Guide

The Coton de Tulear might not be a household name like the Labrador or Chihuahua, but these little fluffballs have a dedicated following, especially among the well-to-do. As a result, many owners spend quite a bit of money on these dogs. But is all that expense truly necessary, or can you own one of these precious pups without breaking the bank?

Unlike many other breeds, owning a Coton de Tulear is generally only as expensive as you make it. You can own them quite cheaply, or you can spend more on them than you do yourself. On average an owner might spend between $50-$200+ per month. It’s a matter of personal preference (the dog doesn’t really care, as long as they’re properly fed and you pay attention to them).

There isn’t an “average” price of ownership for these dogs, and as you’ll soon see, they can be one of the cheapest or most expensive pets that you’ll ever own—it’s all up to you.

 

Coton de Tulear Cost: One-Time Costs

When people consider whether they can afford a dog, the cost of the dog themselves is often the only thing they think about. While this can be a sizable investment—especially with a rarer breed like a Coton de Tulear—it’s far from the only financial obligation that comes with dog ownership.

All this is to say that you shouldn’t get too hung up on the cost of the animal. If they’re too expensive for you to buy, they will likely be too expensive for you to maintain, so you should look for a different pet.

Free Coton de Tulear

With a designer breed like the Coton de Tulear, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll have the opportunity to get one for free. About the only time that would ever happen is if you have a buddy-buddy relationship with a breeder.

This means that if you really want a Coton de Tulear, you should expect to pay for one.

Coton de Tulear Adoption

As with getting a free dog, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a Coton de Tulear in a pound or at a rescue. These dogs simply don’t become available in those venues that often, especially if you’re insisting on finding a purebred pup.

Your only hope will likely come in finding a rescue group that’s specifically dedicated to breeds like this, but those might be hard to come by in your area. Also, if you do this, you should know that your chances of finding a puppy are slim.

Coton de Tulear Breeders

Finding a breeder is likely going to be your only hope of getting your hands on a Coton de Tulear. These dogs aren’t cheap either, so you should be prepared for that going in.

For a high-end dog like this, you’ll most likely want to find an AKC-registered breeder, even if you don’t plan on showing the animal. Be forewarned, though, that there aren’t many of these in the United States, so you might need to travel to get your dog (and travel costs aren’t included in the estimate).

You might find breeders who sell their dogs for much less than the estimates shown here. We advise you to be careful with such operations, as bargain-basement prices are usually the sign of a backyard breeder or puppy mill. If you’re not sure whether you can trust a breeder, ask for references and insist on touring their facilities yourself so you can see the conditions in which their dogs are kept.

Coton de Tulear Price: Initial Setup and Supplies

Before we get into how much supplies for this dog will cost, we should mention that our estimates reflect the minimum amount that you’ll likely have to pay.

However, many people who are willing to shell out for a Coton de Tulear have excess disposable income and a propensity for spoiling their dogs, so you may want high-end, luxury gear that will cost quite a bit more than the prices shown here. The prices for some dog accessories can be ridiculous, but some people are apparently willing to pay them. As a result, you’ll have to massage our numbers to be in line with what you’re willing to spend on your dog.

 

List of Coton de Tulear Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Coton de Tulear Cost Per Month?

The monthly costs will depend on your willingness to spoil your pup. If you’re just looking to give your dog the bare minimum, this is a fairly inexpensive breed to own, but there’s little point in spending so much money on one of these dogs only to cut corners on their care.

Given that these dogs are so often kept by wealthy owners, though, the upper limits could be much higher than what’s shown here.

Coton de Tulear Health Care Costs

These dogs are typically fairly healthy, so you shouldn’t have to deal with a ton of medical expenses. However, the issues that they’re most likely to encounter (like allergies and bladder problems) tend to be recurring, so you may have to spend money on their health on a regular basis.

One of the best ways to prevent health issues (beyond taking good care of your pet) is to get your pup from a reputable breeder. Dogs from mills and backyard breeders are prone to various health conditions, so the money that you save from buying a dog from them will be spent (and then some) at your vet’s office.

Coton de Tulear Food Costs

These little pups don’t eat much, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on their kibble. Cheaper food usually lacks the nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy, so invest in a high-quality kibble.

Look for a kibble that’s made with real ingredients, the kind that you wouldn’t mind eating yourself. If you see things like animal by-products or artificial colors and flavors, steer clear. Also, dogs don’t digest things like wheat, corn, and soy as well as humans do, so try to avoid those if you can.

Beyond choosing the right food, limiting portion sizes is also extremely important. An overweight dog is much more likely to suffer from health problems, so keep your pup lean and trim if you can.

Coton de Tulear Grooming Costs

Coton de Tulears need regular grooming, but you can probably get away with only taking them to a professional every other month or so. You can also do it yourself if you’re looking to save money.

However, many people who own these dogs aren’t that price-conscious. It’s not unusual for these pups to have standing appointments with their groomers, so these costs could be considerably more than what’s listed here.

Coton de Tulear Medications and Vet Visits

If you’re lucky, your dog won’t require regular medication, which should keep your costs low in this area. In that case, all you’ll need to worry about are semiannual checkups at the vet, and those should only cost a couple hundred bucks a year.

However, certain conditions may require putting your dog on a prescription medication that they’ll need to take regularly. While this shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, it’s just one more thing to factor into the cost of pet ownership.

Coton de Tulear Pet Insurance Costs

Given that the breed is relatively healthy, pet insurance costs are reasonable. However, you may want to roll the dice on not needing expensive treatment at all, in which case, you can skip investing in insurance at all.

Coton de Tulears aren’t prone to many health conditions that will require expensive surgery, but any dog could have an emergency. It’s up to you whether you prefer the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you’re protected against catastrophe or if you’d prefer to save money in the short term and take your chances in the long run.

Coton de Tulear Environment Maintenance Costs

In most cases, dogs don’t require much in the way of environmental maintenance. All that’s usually required is a roll of poop bags to clean up messes on walks. With the Coton de Tulear, however, the equation changes a bit. These dogs are usually pampered, and they’re also prone to skin allergies if they come in contact with certain things in the Great Outdoors.

As a result, you may need to invest in things like booties and sweaters for your dog, especially if you plan on walking them in inclement weather.

Coton de Tulear Entertainment Costs

Every dog needs toys to keep them entertained, and the Coton de Tulear is no different. These smart little dogs will especially benefit from puzzle toys and other mentally stimulating forms of entertainment. You can buy these toys piecemeal, or you can purchase a subscription service to deliver them to you. These services send you a box of toys and other accessories each month for a flat fee (usually between $20 and $40).

Many people who own Coton de Tulears enjoy showing them; this requires quite a bit of obedience training beforehand. That’s a good thing because not only will it give you a well-mannered pooch, but your dog will also enjoy spending time with you and being challenged by your instructions.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Coton de Tulear

There’s nothing about the Coton de Tulear (other than the initial acquisition costs) that would make them an expensive pet to own. However, many people who prefer these dogs have no issue lavishing money on them, so the average cost of ownership may skew higher than it should.

Any dog can be expensive if you spoil them, though, so the ultimate question is how much you’re willing to spend on your pup.

Additional Costs to Factor In

The costs of owning a dog can pile up well beyond what you initially expected when you brought the pooch home.

The biggest unexpected expense that you may run into is emergency medical treatment. If your dog eats something that they shouldn’t or breaks a leg, you’ll need to rush them to the vet, and surgery is expensive. It’s just one of those things that you’ll have to be prepared for.

You’ll also need to be prepared for leaving your dog with a stranger, whether that stranger is a pet sitter, dog walker, or doggy daycare. You definitely don’t want to go with the cheapest option here, as you’ll want someone whom you can trust. Training may also be necessary. These dogs are usually easy to train, so you can likely do it yourself, but a professional trainer may be a necessity at some point.

Owning a Coton de Tulear on a Budget

Coton de Tulears are budget-friendly dogs, so it’s relatively easy to raise them on the cheap. They don’t eat much, so even a high-quality food won’t be too expensive on a monthly basis. They’re also a healthy breed, reducing the risk that you’ll have to pay for pricey medical care at any point.

Grooming costs are other expenses that can eat into your bank balance, but you can do most of what needs to be done yourself.

At the end of the day, the easiest way to save money on owning a Coton de Tulear is simply avoiding the temptation to spoil them (which to be fair, is harder than it sounds).

Saving Money on Coton de Tulear Care

The best way to save money on medical care for a Coton de Tulear is to avoid needing it in the first place. Fortunately, that’s unlikely to be a major issue with the breed.

If you feed them a high-quality diet, provide them with plenty of exercise, and take them in for regular checkups, you can catch any potentially expensive health issues before they spiral out of control.

 

Final Thoughts: Coton de Tulear Price

Owning a Coton de Tulear is only as expensive as you want it to be. Although the breed is expensive to purchase from a breeder, there isn’t much in the way of massive expenses after that.

These dogs don’t eat much and they’re generally healthy, eliminating two of the biggest money-suckers right off the bat. However, many people who own these dogs spoil them, investing in the finest food, grooming, and gear, all of which can drive up the price of ownership exponentially.

You don’t need any of that to own a Coton de Tulear (although we wouldn’t skimp on the food), but if it’s important to you that your lapdog sits in the lap of luxury, they certainly won’t complain.

Related Read:

• Puppy Mill vs Breeder: How to Spot the Difference
• 280+ Amazing Names for Coton de Tulears: Ideas for Friendly white Dogs

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Featured Image Credit: Agnieszka Agis, Shutterstock