CHAPTERS

Chapter Two: Things to Know Before Getting a Coton de Tulear

Now that you’re acquainted with the Coton de Tulear, you should more or less already know whether the breed is right for you or not. However, before you decide to get one, you should take the time to learn about the practical aspects of owning a dog. It’s not all fun and cuddles: owning dogs cost a lot. In this chapter you will find out just how much damage they can do to your bank account plus other practical material you need to know before embarking on the journey of being a dog owner. This chapter should help you further in making an educated decision on whether you are capable and ready to own a pet.

Do You Need a License?

Before purchasing a Coton de Tulear, you should learn about local licensing requirements that may affect you. The licensing requirements for dog owners vary from one country to another so you may need to do a little bit of research on your own to determine whether you need a dog license or not. In the United States, there are no federal requirements for dog licensing – it is determined at the state level. While some states do not, most states require dog owners to license their dogs on an annual basis.

When you apply for a dog license you will have to submit proof that your dog has been given a rabies vaccine. Dog licenses in the United States cost about $25 (£16.25) per year and they can be renewed annually when you renew your dog’s rabies vaccine. Even if your state doesn’t require you to license your dog it is still a good idea because it will help someone to identify him if he gets lost so they can return him to you.

In the United Kingdom, licensing requirements for dog owners are a little bit different. The U.K. requires that all dog owners license their dogs and the license can be renewed every twelve months. The cost to license your dog in the U.K. is similar to the U.S. but you do not have to have your dog vaccinated against rabies. In fact, rabies does not exist in the U.K. because it was eradicated through careful control measures. If you travel with your dog to or from the U.K., you will have to obtain a special animal moving license and your dog may have to undergo a period of quarantine to make sure he doesn’t carry disease into the country.

Do Coton de Tulears Get Along with Other Pets?

All breeds of dogs first need proper socialization in order to cultivate the potential for friendliness and companionability.  Properly socialized Coton de Tulears generally enjoy the company of other pets especially when their humans are not around.

How Many Coton de Tulears Should You Keep?

There is no exact answer to this question because it depends on you. Coton de Tulears usually get along well with their fellow breed but each of them loves being the center of attention. So as long as you give them equal attention, you should be able to maintain a harmonious relationship among all of you. You can keep as much of them as you are capable of handling in all aspects –physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

How Much Does it Cost to Keep a Coton de Tulear?

Most people who aspire to own a dog don’t realize that the cost is more than just the purchase price itself. Owning pets mean including them in your budget because the expenses are as a regular as your grocery and utility bills. Spending on your Coton de Tulear will begin even before you take him home because you have to prepare for his arrival and you have to purchase a crate, toys, indoor gates or fences, and food bowls. The responsibility of being a dog owner also includes being able to provide for their needs so before you take one home make sure that you can keep up with the expenses. In this section you will receive an overview of the initial costs and monthly costs to keep a Coton de Tulear.

Initial Costs

The initial costs for keeping a Coton de Tulear include those costs that you must cover before you can bring your dog home. Some of the initial costs you will need to cover include your dog’s crate, food/water bowls, toys and accessories, microchipping, initial vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and supplies for grooming and nail clipping – it also includes the cost of the dog itself.

You will find an overview of each of these costs as well as an estimate for each cost below:

Purchase Price–The cost to purchase a Coton de Tulear can vary greatly depending where you find the dog. You can adopt a rescue  Coton de Tulear for as little as $250-$500 (£225-£450) but purchasing a puppy, especially a purebred puppy from an AKC-registered breeder, would be much more costly. The cost for a Coton de Tulear ranges from $1,800-$4,000 (£1,620-£3600).  Just be cautious when buying from unregistered breeders and do a background check on their credibility.  Make sure the puppy is completely healthy.

Crate–The Coton de Tulear is generally a small breed and will stay that way even if he’s an adult already so you’ll be able to save money that would otherwise be needed to buy a bigger one. The average cost for a small dog crate is about $30 (£19.50) in most cases.

Indoor Fences/Gates – Aside from the crate, you’ll need to create a space for your puppy that he can acknowledge as his own where you will set up his bed and toys. The average cost for these fences/gates is $100 (£70).

Bed–It is ideal to teach your puppy early on that there is a designated place for him to sleep.  An average bed costs $42 (£38).

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