I would check the Coten De Tulear club of america

 

Yerp, their website is here. They're the original breed club.

 

My friend in Maryland has 2 and got them from a breeder in that area. From what I understand they are not recognized by the AKC (not sure about Crufts) and there really does not seem to be a lot known about the breed. The name is French but apparently they are of Japanese origin and I believe they were protectors. Most people who see them think they are poodle or Bichon mixes.

Her dogs are very bonded with their own humans but are very wary and slow to warm up to strangers and do not like other dogs to the point of being on the attack when around other dogs at the Vet, puppy classes, etc no matter how much they were socialized. They will also defend and challenge from the window every jogger, paper bag or squirrel which happens by within 100 feet of the house. The older they have gotten they have become engaged in more fierce battles with each other even tho they are litter mates.

They have the dogs groomed and clipped pretty regularly at the vet since the dogs will get very matted in the snow or wet. I think they give both Ace before a grooming visit.

We had one here which was picked up as a stray and had chewed and clawed through a fence to get to freedom. The owner said she was advised by the breeder (I think she got hers from a breeder in the Boston area) to only get one as they are fiercely territorial and feisty. Every staff and volunteer was grateful when the owner redeemed this particular dog. I don't know if this was due to the owner or the breed (probably both in this case since the owner seemed a few weave poles shy of an agility course and the dog was just being a scared dog).

They are cuter than cute but I would definitely do a lot of research and see if you could visit some breeders or rescues and check out the dogs carefully before adopting or purchasing.

 

The lady I got my Shih-tzus from now breeds Cotons and Bolognaise. The Cotons are the cutest dogs. I am not sure about the grooming. I would think they would need brushing unless you had them clipped short - and probably most pet owners do that.

You can see Canadian Kennel Club breeders here:

http://www.dogsincanada.com/breeders

Should give you some idea of what to look for. It has a link to the Canadian breed club.

They come from Madgascar:

"The Coton de Tulear (pronounced cu-toe de too-lay-are) is a rare ancient purebred that originated on the island of Madagascar more than three centuries ago. This large island is located near the bottom of Africa. The Coton was a favorite of the Malagasy Kings and noblemen and for many years only royality could own them. "

All the ones I have seen are very, very friendly. Actually, the reason I got a Shih-tzu in the first place was because I went to see the Cotons that this lady was breeding. She wanted $1,600 for a puppy and when I saw the Shih-tzus I really liked them and they were not nearly so expensive, so I bought a Shih-tzu.

 

The only one I met is very dog and human friendly and runs in the woods with the big dogs. It's cute as can be and, to me, looks like it would need the kind of grooming that a mini poodle would need.

 

There are also a number of folks exhibiting them in the UKC (United Kennel Club) and you can ask on the events board there (ukcdogs.com)