Which is Better Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear?

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American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Coton de Tulear: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Pit Bull Terrier and for the Coton de Tulear. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Coton de Tulear.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Coton de Tulear: Overview

A very important difference between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Coton de Tulear is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Pit Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Coton de Tulear belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Coton de Tulear: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Pit Bull Terrier to the Coton de Tulear based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear

Factor American Pit Bull Terrier Coton de Tulear
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 14 to 16 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Weight 30 to 85 pounds 8 to 13 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 15.0 years
Average Price $1160 $2060
Price Range $450 – $1200 $1745 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Pit Bull Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Coton de Tulear. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Coton de Tulear is a better pet than the American Pit Bull Terrier. So, you should get the Coton de Tulear!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear

    Below is a list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are most different:

    • American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Coton de Tulears get along well with other dogs.
    • American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom. However, Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • American Pit Bull Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Coton de Tulears do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    The Similarities Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear

    The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are most similar:

    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are very easy to train.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are highly intelligent.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Coton de Tulear

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear.

    American Pit Bull Terriers weigh 30 to 85 pounds when fully grown. American Pit Bull Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Coton de Tulear

    The lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Coton de Tulears is between 14 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Coton de Tulears is 15.0 years.

    Coton de Tulears live longer than American Pit Bull Terriers.

    Price of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Price of Coton de Tulear

    The average price of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is $1160. The price of the American Pit Bull Terrier typically ranges from $450 – $1200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 561 American Pit Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Coton de Tulear puppy is $2060. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1745 – $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 127 Coton de Tulear puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the American Pit Bull Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Pit Bull Terrier and Coton de Tulear. For different price points, the charts show how many American Pit Bull Terrier puppies or how many Coton de Tulear puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy or the Coton de Tulear puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Coton de Tulear

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers shed more than Coton de Tulears?

    American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Coton de Tulear

    American Pit Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Coton de Tulear?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the American Pit Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Coton de Tulear?

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Coton de Tulears have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Coton de Tulears?

    American Pit Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Coton de Tulears are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Pit Bull Terrier vs. Coton de Tulear

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Coton de Tulears have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Coton de Tulears can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Coton de Tulear?

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Pit Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Coton de Tulears?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Coton de Tulears are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Pit Bull Terriers and Coton de Tulears?

    American Pit Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Coton de Tulear?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Coton de Tulear?

    American Pit Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Coton de Tulear?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Coton de Tulear. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Coton de Tulear better suits you and your family.