A Detailed Comparison of the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Coton de Tulear Versus Schipperke: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke 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 Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke 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 Coton de Tulear and for the Schipperke. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke.

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

Coton de Tulear versus Schipperke: Overview

Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are similar in size. The Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are Companion Dogs. This means both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke 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.

Coton de Tulear versus Schipperke: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Coton de Tulear to the Schipperke 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.

Factor Coton de Tulear Schipperke
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 4/5
Life Span 14 to 16 years 13 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 8 to 13 pounds 11 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2060 $1170
Price Range $1745 – $2500 $900 – $1500
Temperament Score No Data 91.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hips
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 74 109

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Coton de Tulear 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 Schipperke. 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 a Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Schipperke is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Coton de Tulear is a better pet than the Schipperke. 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 Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke

    Below is a list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are most different:

  • Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Schipperkes are very easy to groom.
  • Coton de Tulears get along well with other dogs. However, Schipperkes do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Coton de Tulears are very friendly towards strangers. However, Schipperkes are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke

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

  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke 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 Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Schipperke

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke.

    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.

    On the other hand, Schipperkes weigh 11 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Schipperkes are 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Coton de Tulear versus Price of Schipperke

    The average price of the Coton de Tulear puppy is $2060. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1745 – $2500. However, the price of a Coton de Tulear can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 127 Coton de Tulear puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Schipperke puppy is $1170. The price of the Schipperke typically ranges from $900 – $1500. However, the price of a Schipperke can be as low as $500 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 60 Schipperke puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the Schipperke.

    Coton de Tulear Schipperke
    Average Price $2060 $1170
    Price Range $1745 to $2500 $900 to $1500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Schipperkes

    A breakdown of the prices of Schipperkes

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Coton de Tulear puppy or the Schipperke 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Adopting the Coton de Tulear versus Adopting the Schipperke

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Coton de Tulears and many Schipperkes are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Coton de Tulear named Chef that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Coton de Tulears like Chef on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Coton de Tulears, Schipperkes are also available for adoption. For example, Jake is a Male Schipperke that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Schipperkes like Jake that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also Stowaway, an adorable Male Schipperke on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Coton de Tulears and Schipperkes that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Coton de Tulear versus Popularity of Schipperke

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Coton de Tulear is more popular with dog owners than the Schipperke. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Coton de Tulear is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Schipperke is 109 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Schipperke

    Popularity of Schipperke

    Year Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank Schipperke Popularity Rank
    2014 31.0 109
    2015 85.0 109
    2016 80.0 112
    2017 81.0 110
    2018 81.0 105
    2019 81.0 106
    2020 80.0 114
    2013 no data 109

    Health Problems of Coton de Tulear versus Health Problems of Schipperke

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Schipperke is prone to more genetic health problems than the Coton de Tulear.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Schipperke than for the Coton de Tulear.

    3 health tests are recommended for Coton de Tulear while 7 tests are recommended for the Schipperke.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Coton de Tulears and in Schipperkes.

    Coton de Tulear Health Problems

    Coton de Tulears are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Coton de Tulear puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Coton de Tulear puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Coton de Tulear breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Coton de Tulears for:

  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears here.

    Schipperke Health Problems

    Schipperkes are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Schipperke puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Schipperke puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Schipperke breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Schipperkes for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hips
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Schipperkes here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Coton de Tulears and Schipperkes

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

    This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Coton de Tulears, and how common these diseases are in Coton de Tulears relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 2 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 36 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 61 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 71 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 103 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 121 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 168 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Schipperke Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Schipperke ranks 5 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 295 Schipperkes, 4 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Schipperkes, and how common these diseases are in Schipperkes relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 5 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 36 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 50 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 54 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 93 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 142 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 165 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Coton de Tulear and in Schipperke and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke:

    Disease Coton de Tulear Rank Schipperke Rank
    Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 2 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 36 out of 145 dog breeds 54 out of 145 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 61 out of 115 dog breeds 50 out of 115 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 71 out of 159 dog breeds 36 out of 159 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 103 out of 144 dog breeds 93 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 121 out of 198 dog breeds 142 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 168 out of 182 dog breeds 165 out of 182 dog breeds
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems Not Common 5 out of 40 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Coton de Tulear versus Schipperke

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

    Schipperkes can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Schipperkes?

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

    Schipperkes shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Schipperke

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

    Schipperkes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Schipperke?

    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.

    Schipperkes 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.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Schipperke?

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

    Schipperkes are very easy to groom.

    Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Schipperkes?

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

    Schipperkes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Schipperkes Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Schipperkes can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Schipperkes Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Schipperkes cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Schipperke?

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Schipperkes are not easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Schipperke

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

    Schipperkes have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Coton de Tulear or the Schipperke?

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    Schipperkes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the Schipperke?

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Schipperkes adapt very well to apartment living.

    Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Schipperkes?

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

    Schipperkes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Coton de Tulears and Schipperkes?

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

    Schipperkes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Schipperke?

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

    Schipperkes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Coton de Tulear:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Cavachon.
  • Shichon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Shichon.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Schipperke

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Schipperke that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Schipperke:

  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Lancashire Heeler (74 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Lancashire Heeler.
  • Miniature Pinscher (75 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Coton de Tulear and how the Schipperke compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Coton de Tulear and of the Schipperke to other breeds:

    Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Coton de Tulear versus Bulldog     Coton de Tulear versus Australian Shepherd     Coton de Tulear versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Coton de Tulear versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Coton de Tulear versus Puli     Coton de Tulear versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Coton de Tulear versus Bichon Frise     Coton de Tulear versus Pharaoh Hound     Coton de Tulear versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Coton de Tulear versus Irish Terrier     

    Schipperke Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Schipperke versus German Longhaired Pointer     Schipperke versus German Shepherd Dog     Schipperke versus Brittany     Schipperke versus Azawakh     Schipperke versus Bloodhound     Schipperke versus Skye Terrier     Schipperke versus Giant Schnauzer     Schipperke versus Standard Schnauzer     Schipperke versus American Bulldog     Schipperke versus Karelian Bear Dog     

    Conclusion: Coton de Tulear versus Schipperke. 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 Coton de Tulear and the Schipperke better suits you and your family.