A Detailed Comparison of the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel.

Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel

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Coton de Tulear Versus Tibetan Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel? 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 Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel.

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 Tibetan Spaniel

Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel

Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel are Companion Dogs. This means both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Coton de Tulear to the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Life Span 14 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder From 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 8 to 13 pounds 9 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2060 $1650
Price Range $1745 – $2500 $1200 – $2000
Temperament Score No Data 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • approved laboratory
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 74 117

    *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 Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel is 82 out of 125.

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

    Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel

    The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel

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

  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel

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

    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, Tibetan Spaniels weigh 9 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Spaniels are From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Coton de Tulear versus Price of Tibetan Spaniel

    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 Tibetan Spaniel puppy is $1650. The price of the Tibetan Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of a Tibetan Spaniel can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 Tibetan Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the Tibetan Spaniel.

    Coton de Tulear Tibetan Spaniel
    Average Price $2060 $1650
    Price Range $1745 to $2500 $1200 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Coton de Tulear and Tibetan Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Coton de Tulear puppies or how many Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Coton de Tulear puppy or the Tibetan Spaniel 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.

    Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel
    Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel

    The Popularity of Coton de Tulear versus Popularity of Tibetan Spaniel

    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 Tibetan Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Coton de Tulear is more popular with dog owners than the Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel is 117 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Tibetan Spaniel

    Popularity of Tibetan Spaniel

    Year Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank Tibetan Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2014 31.0 122
    2015 85.0 115
    2016 80.0 118
    2017 81.0 121
    2018 81.0 119
    2019 81.0 117
    2020 80.0 118
    2013 no data 106

    Health Problems of Coton de Tulear versus Health Problems of Tibetan Spaniel

    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 Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Coton de Tulear.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Coton de Tulear while 4 tests are recommended for the Tibetan Spaniel.

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

    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.

    Tibetan Spaniel Health Problems

    Tibetan Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniels for:

  • approved laboratory
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Tibetan Spaniels here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Coton de Tulears and Tibetan Spaniels

    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 Tibetan Spaniel Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Tibetan Spaniel ranks 6 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 295 Tibetan Spaniels, 30 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 6 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 97 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 104 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Coton de Tulear and in Tibetan Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Coton de Tulear and the Tibetan Spaniel:

    Disease Coton de Tulear Rank Tibetan Spaniel 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 6 out of 145 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 61 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 71 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 103 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 121 out of 198 dog breeds 97 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 168 out of 182 dog breeds 104 out of 182 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 Tibetan Spaniel

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

    Tibetan Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Tibetan Spaniels?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Tibetan Spaniel

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

    Tibetan Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    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.

    Tibetan Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

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

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

    Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Spaniels?

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

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

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Tibetan Spaniel

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

    Tibetan Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    Tibetan Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Tibetan Spaniels?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Coton de Tulears and Tibetan Spaniels?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Lowchen (78 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Lowchen.
  • Cockalier (80 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Cockalier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Coton de Tulear versus Japanese Chin     Coton de Tulear versus Bull Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Coton de Tulear versus King Shepherd     Coton de Tulear versus Yorkipoo     Coton de Tulear versus Labrador Retriever     Coton de Tulear versus Cane Corso     Coton de Tulear versus Karelian Bear Dog     Coton de Tulear versus Xoloitzcuintli     Coton de Tulear versus French Bulldog     

    Tibetan Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Tibetan Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     Tibetan Spaniel versus Skye Terrier     Tibetan Spaniel versus Saluki     Tibetan Spaniel versus Akbash     Tibetan Spaniel versus English Springer Spaniel     Tibetan Spaniel versus Gordon Setter     Tibetan Spaniel versus Cockapoo     Tibetan Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier     Tibetan Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel better suits you and your family.