T hroughout our lives we always had to do with animals, particularly dogs. From this love for dogs to the thought of breeding was only a small step! Our breeding history began with a splendid Golden Retriever female. With her, we learned how to do obedience and agility. And for the first time in our lives, we went to a conformation show. Chanelle also gave us our very first litter--a sucessful experiment with 10 pups!

After a while, it became obvious that we did not have enough space to breed such a big dog. We started our seach for a small breed, non-shedding (I had allergies), that was just as lovely as our Golden and having a great temperament. We began reading in English and in French--and this was 1991.

One day, reading through a French dog magazine, for the first time I saw a photograph of four Cotons--I was amazed by these balls of fur! It was exactly the dog I was looking for. That was just the beginning of a long process of researching information about the breed, about breeders and clubs. I can't relate all the time I spent writing letters, making phone calls overseas, then waiting and waiting for the responses and finally receiving the first photos of puppies! At last, in 1993 the first Coton de Tulear 'Jana' invaded our lives!

Three years later our small family already numbered six, including one splendid female, Nanouk, from Jana's first mating. We experimented with a lot of things, such as TV shows, articles published in the specialized journals, dog shows--including three championships--and all that in less than three years! How much joy in so little time.

1996 was an important year. My husband and I got retired and move in the country side where we build a house adapted to our new life and to our cotons. The same year, Deano Pepe was born, worthy representative of the Coton type which we produce. With him, we decided to visit our southern neighbors for conformation shows, to compare our offspring with Cotons there. I must say that Deano passed the test with no problem! Encouraged, our breeding objectives then changed. Deano was the first Canadian Coton to get a championship of the American Rare Breed Association. Other of La Cotonnerie's puppies followed in his tracks, showing well and wining Champion Title in the American exhibitions-- We can Named Jaq, Rosalyn and Nicole

But the summer of 1998 brought us a victory we never even dreamed of-- Deano, out of 113 Cotons de Tulear, won the "Best of Breed" title at the French Specialty held nearby Paris, and moreover, was selected "Best in Show" of the Nationale d'élevage. The results of this trip to Europe will remain engraved both in the annals of the coton world and in our memory for a long time.

Diva, Deano's daughter, gave us as much pleasure in the show ring than her father... Diva within 9 week end of shows finish #2 female in USA. What an accomplishement!!

After 10 years and 3 generations in the ring, we still love to shares our lifes with Cotons and enjoy to travel to show them around or to watch others Cotonnerie's puppies doing great in the show circuit.

In 2003, we had the opportunity to combine our breedline with the three of the best dogs of "Echo des Élingues" a French Kennel. Reggae (World Champion), Rafia (European Champion) and Sushi (International Champion) along with baby Mercedes got their double nationality ;o))

During that same time, Cotonnerie grows with the involvement in the breeding programm of my daughter Isabelle and my niece Marieve. Already familiar with Cotons, they both decided to put the "Fluff Balls" in the center of their life. With this fusion of breedlines and the implication of Isabelle and Marieve, we were absolutely sure to make a step forward in the quality of the Coton breed... and we did!

Already in 2004, the winners (best of Breed, best male and best female) of the Regional Speciality of USACTC was coming from Cotonnerie. They are owned by Karen Black from Cotonwind Kennel.

We did the same in thing in 2005 where the winners adults and the winners puppy was Cotonnerie's dogs also. During these two years, along with our clients, 15 Cotonnerie's Cotons got the Champion Breed Club title. We are sooooooooooooo proud!!!

In 2006, the Canadian Kennel Club thru modifications of their regulations give us the opportunity to do dog shows under their organization. Suddenly, we had so many shows that we can participate.. It was so much fun ... and a lot nearer for us. We ( Isabelle, Marieve and me) all get prepare to be the first ones in the show ring. In 2006, Cotonnerie Pirate Captain Tew (owned by Marieve and me) was the first coton to be a Canadian Champion under CKC. He was the first one to do a group placement and he finished #1 Coton in Canada. It was quite an accomplishment for him after being #1 Coton at the American Coton Club in 2005. That same year, Pirate's daughter, Cotonnerie Riviera at Somona finished #1 female in Canada

2007, was Cayenne's year. One , two, three .... and he finished his championship! And after that, he was a non stop winner... multi groups placement, first coton to do a group first and the first one as well to do a Best in Show in the history of the Canadian Club. Isabelle make him do his first Best in Show.. and that will stay in our memory for ever. And of course, Cotonnerie Cayenne finished #1 Coton in 2007. Thai, Fidgi and Oceane became Canadian Champion as well.

2007 was also a great year on many ways. The Regional Speciality in California of the USACTC was won buy Cotonnerie's dog ( Best of Breed, Best of Opposite and Best of Winners). Tequila de l'Echo des Élingues, daughter of our Reggae, became the World Champion in Mexico. And so many others things...

This year in 2008, Cotonnerie has a lot of newbies to show off in the ring.. We begin by winning two more Canadian Championship on Soleil and Myio. As a champion, Myio won the Best of Breed of the Toy Speciality in Dollar-des-Ormeaux Shows. In the middle of the year, Soprano, as a puppy, completed his Canadian Championship and follow couple months later by a "Best in Show Puppy". Soprano is the first Coton ever to have done that winning under the Canadian Kennel Club. At fall time, Tabou and Caprice completed their championship as well. Lots and lots of winning for our young cotons ;o))

These victories have brought us much happiness, but I must say that sharing our daily lives with Cotons is a joy. Each birth makes for amazement, the opening of the eyes for rapture, the first barking always for surprise, and the first movement caused by the sound of my voice for wonder.

Believe me, a coton always brings more sunshine into your life!

Sara France, Paul, Isabelle, Eric, Marieve, Patrice and the Cotons Gang