Has anyone done a DNA breed test on a purebred Coton?

by Erin
(Illinois)

My puppy and adult cotons

Has anyone done a DNA breed test on a purebred Coton? We bought our second cotton (from same breeder as our first) and our first Coton seemed to possess every Coton attribute. Our second puppy seemed different. I did a Wisdom Panel test on her and it came back 50% maltese, 25% coton, 12.5% havenese and 12.5% other. Just sent off a sample to Embark to compare. Our puppy has ears that stick up a bit, she sheds (can't remember if our other coton shed as a puppy but he doesn't shed at all as an adult). She is wonderful, but I am worried about allergy issues as my husband and a couple of my kids have dog allergies. Absolutely no allergy issues with our older coton. While I am waiting for my 2nd DNA test, just wanted to know if anyone else has had DNA test done.

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Aug 08, 2023
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To last commentor who is from Florida
by: Anonymous

It matters a lot because it’s fraud…I had a purebred Coton from France…25 years ago…they are hypoallergenic (as much as possible, given they do have hair rather than fur with dander,

You don’t pay 2 or 3k for a mutt, but these days, you do pay more than you should because designer dogs are wanted, so people make them.

What matters is fraud like I said. If we put up with fraud, we aren’t doing anyone a favor.

I’m dealing with a breeder also from California as several have mentioned…very likely the same one and I’m determined to get him in trouble at the very least. Yes, I want to keep my dog, but I also got a sick one and want a big refund from the unethical breeder.

May 19, 2023
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Response NEW
by: Anonymous

Coton's are not a mix. Coton's should come back as 100% Coton when dna tested. Since I originally started this post, I have joined a Coton Facebook page and the breeders on that page say they should all come back 100% Coton. It is so frustrating!!

May 19, 2023
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Breeders and DNA Tests NEW
by: Anonymous

I think the "Coton" breeders are using the "but Cotons are a mixed breed"in order to get around the DNA test results. If in fact it was a purebred the percentage of Coton would be 99-100% with maybe 1% Maltese. It is definitely a scam. I adore my dog BUT I certainly wouldn’t have paid $1500 for a mutt.

May 19, 2023
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Puppy Spot fraud NEW
by: Anonymous

We bought a Coton from Puppy Spot and just had his DNA done, 20% Coton De Tulear. We paid $2700 for him and even though we love him, I feel we were scammed. They say all Cotons are mixed, if that’s the case, what’s the 20% Coton?

Dec 24, 2022
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Reply from the breeder
by: Anonymous

The response from my breeder after sending her my dogs DNA results:

"Cotons are a newer breed from Madagascar only recently accepted by the AKC, which is apparently why the other breeds still show.
Even registered Coton de Tulears from other breeders show the same thing! Thankfully our adults came from great breeders and their registration shows their ancestry"

She is not taking any responsibility and denying the DNA results. I really want to put a warning on her Facebook page but then I might be slapped with a lawsuit. I feel guilty about not warning future buyers though.

Dec 21, 2022
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To: Purebred Coton- Not! NEW
by: Erin

I know how you feel. It is so very frustrating. It is fraud, but I also chose not to pursue it any further.

Dec 21, 2022
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Purebred Coton- Not!
by: Anonymous

I just received a Wisdom Health /Ancestry report and my "Coton" is 42% Maltese and 35% Coton de Tulear. I adore my puppy but I paid a higher price for a non-shedding 100% Coton. I just sent the breeder an email stating the findings and that the next person to purchase from her may not be as nice as me. That she could get hit with a lawsuit for claiming her mixed puppies were purebred.

Dec 06, 2022
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Breeder?
by: Erin

I just saw the two posts from summer (I am original poster of this thread). Where did you buy your Cotons? Mine were both from Cuddly Cotons in Michigan.

Jul 20, 2022
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Same NEW
by: Anonymous

The something happened to me March 29. I also had bred cotons and knew somethings were not right. TI decided to 2 different tests from 2 different companies. The first determined that the dog was
Coyon 67.1%
Havanese 13
8%
Maltese 11.9%
Bichon 7.2%
The second test results were
Coton 62.5%
Maltese 12.5
Mixed Breed 25%
The breeder swears that she only sells purebred dogs
I contacted AKC and they responded that the breeder determines how the dogs are registered. This is the reason ACC did not want AKC recognition. What was predicted is now happening.

May 26, 2022
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Just happened to me. NEW
by: Anonymous

I bred Cotons and stopped years ago. My last Cotons that I bred. All of their DNA came back full Coton. I just purchased a female puppy from a breeder who guaranteed she only bred pure Cotons. Her DNA test just came back as 50% Coton, 25% Maltese and 25% Mixed Breed. The breeder is denying that the DNA test is on her dog. Looking into a fraud suit aganist the breeder. This is exactly the reason so many of us that bred Cotons fought against the bree recognition. d having AKC

Jan 24, 2021
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Is there really Cotton DNA
by: Anonymous

Ours looks like, acts like a Cotton but came back 21% Chihuahua and 25% Small poodle plus other things. But my DNA with Italian parents came back part Israeli?.. is this just a farce to pay more for a SuperMutt?

Feb 03, 2020
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Puppy Mill Rescue NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi -

I wrote previously about my $2K mutt, Tootsie. I did a second test with Embark.

31.4% Maltese
31.2% Coton de Tulear
11.4% Russell-type Terrier
10.3% Chinese Crested
9.7% Bichon Frise
6.0% Supermutt

Last month I rescued a breeder dog after her 8th litter in an Amish puppy mill. She was emaciated, matted fur completely shaved, newly spayed, and some rotted teeth removed. She was terrified and huddled in the back of her crate.

Lolli spent 7 years caged, giving birth to "purebred" Cotons. No. Here are her results:

53% Maltese
31% Coton de Tulear
19% Havanese

Lolli is now a bright white normal weight bundle of love. She wakes up every morning wagging her tail enthusiastically, ready to get back into her new life.

Feb 02, 2020
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Original poster of this chat NEW
by: Anonymous

I completely agree. We love our dogs, but paid more than we should have. Today I got a message from someone who’s dog showed up as a half sibling to one of our dogs and their dog was a maltipoo. Clearly our dna results showing our dog is half not coton. Same breeder. I will be calling breeder. Makes me very mad that she misrepresented!!

Dec 20, 2019
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Purebred Coton DNA results do not lie!! NEW
by: Anonymous

We got a "Purebred Coton" from a breeder in CA. We were assured our new puppy was indeed purebred as we were give an official looking certification from America's Pet Registry. Our Vet does a DNA panel on all new puppies and the results came back as this:

Maltese 50%
Chihuahua 12.5%
Coton 12.5%
Mix Breed 25%

Wisdom panel even ran a breed Homozygosity percentage test on our puppy to make sure the results were not inaccurate. This test showed our puppy had little to none of the DNA for a Coton.
Imagine our surprise! We called the American Coton Club (who by the way brought back the first Coton from Madagascar in 1978) and none of the dogs listed on our fake certification from America's Pet Registry were actually registered as legit Coton's.

We also have a Coton we rescued about 5 years ago. When we rescued her we had no idea what she was. Out of pure curiosity, we decided to do an DNA panel. She came back 100% pure Coton De Tulear DNA. Now I'm not a rocket scientist, but I am 100% sure our puppy is not a purebred Coton. Science does not lie. Just ask all the convicts in jail based on DNA evidence.

And I know there will be people on this thread asking why does it matter...here is why...saying you sell puppies that are 100% purebred when indeed they are exact opposite is not only immoral it is UNETHICAL!! We bought the breed of Coton based on our other dog. The Coton is known to be an exceptional emotional support animal and that is why we paid an extraordinary amount of money. We expected to get what we paid for. Now, do we love our puppy any less...absolutely NOT. He is part of the family, but practices like this need to be shut down.

I encourage every Coton owner that was told their dog it 100% Coton to do the DNA analysis. It will increase the data base for other future owners.

Nov 08, 2019
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My $2,000 Mutt
by: Margaret

I paid nearly $2K for my dog. At a year old, I realized that she was definitely not a pure Coton. Did a Wisdom Panel DNA test. Results:

50% Maltese
25% Coton
25% Chihuahua

I contacted the breeder who assured me she was 100% Coton. I noted that science doesn't lie. He refunded my payment and I got to keep my amazing little mutt.

May 16, 2018
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DNA NEW
by: Anonymous

The DNA tests I used both showed Coton de Tulear as it’s own breed. My understanding is that way back in it’s origins Cotons are related to Bichon (or part of Bichon family), but Dna test determine parent and grand parent breeds. It is all quite confusing!!

May 16, 2018
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Dna NEW
by: Anonymous

Purebred Coton?.?? I thought the coton was a mix of Maltese and bichon?

May 16, 2018
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Response NEW
by: Erin

I was also surprised with the breeds indicated that there would be shedding. I consider all three breeds nonshedders. Same with the ears that stick-up. DNA test showed presence of gene for stick-up ears.

Regarding the reason for the DNA test, the puppy is adorable, but if she isn’t a purebred Coton, I paid way to much. Needed info to go back to Breeder.

May 16, 2018
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Dna breeds NEW
by: Iris

It appears all the breed names that showed in your pups DNA test are dogs that have hair they don't shed and dont have dander that causes allergic reactions and do not have fur.
They and the Coton de Tulear are all hypoallergenic and will not cause allergic reactions. Dont use scented grooming products on them because the scents can cause allergic reactions to you and your dogs.

May 15, 2018
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DNA NEW
by: Anonymous

I don't really understand your post. What will DNA test results change? You already got her, she is your family, so who cares if she not 100% Coton? As for allergies, they'll have to live with that and love your second puppy as much as they do first. I have allergies but always had cats and dogs. As they say in Florida 1 month of hurricanes and 11 months of paradise... totally worth it

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