Here’s the story of how we became a small, in-home Code of Ethics breeder of Coton de Tulear puppies.
Early on
My husband Scott and I, both deeply immersed in the veterinary field for most of our lives, met while working at an animal hospital. Our breeding journey began in 2012 when a Persian/Himalayan breeder introduced us to cat shows and breeding. Over the years, we’ve experienced both the joys and challenges of raising cats, learning valuable lessons in their care. When the world shut down in 2020, we decided to venture into dog breeding. With a background in long-haired cats, I felt confident about raising long-haired dogs, but we aimed to minimize shedding. After thorough research, we chose the Malagasy Coton de Tulear Preservation Club (MCPC), for its emphasis on health and genetics, which perfectly matched what we were looking for.
Current
Alongside my full-time career as a scientist, I’m also a Code of Ethics breeder with the Malagasy Coton de Tulear Preservation Club (MCPC). I’m always learning – whether through webinars, continuing education, or connecting with other thoughtful breeders. I stay active in several communities, including The Functional Dog Collaborative, Mid-Woofery courses, The Companion Dog Project, Big Hearted Breeders, Puppy Culture, and I Love My Coton de Tulear.
In 2024/25, Penny and I completed several sessions of the “AKC Trick Dog” course, and she loved every minute of it. Cotons are incredibly smart, eager to learn, and full of personality, and Penny showcased those traits beautifully.
In 2025 we added two young ladies to our breeding program: Xanadu and Hey Jude. Both are currently going through their health testing and evaluation, and you can read more about each of them on the “Dames” page. As puppies, they both attended Puppy Preschool and small-dog play groups. Xanadu is a little on the shy side – she wants to join in but usually decides it’s safer to watch – while Jude has always been the confident one, ready to go tumble with the big dogs. Despite their different personalities, they adore each other. They’re quite the pair!
