How did you met the breed?
Since 1993, I owned two Polish Owczarek Nizinny (PON). These two dogs helped me to take a liking to the breeding. Then in 1995, I must stop my job because of my health and so I must find something to not be idle. Then I began to read the books about dogs and I discover the Coton. My first impression was that he was similar to a little PONs and it's surely this which decided me to continue my search. More I was reading, more I took information about the breed, more I was a fancier. I never regret my information quest..

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Polana Doman and his best friend Misha the PON

Who were your first Cotons?
My first bitch was Cotonkist Cléo. She born October 1995. She must arrived in January 1996 and my husband go and pick up in Virginia. She immediatly been adopted by the whole family, without forgetting Zoo et Cali, mu two PONs. I remember of her like a very lively little bitch who was taking a malicious pleasure in emptying a bowl of water, or running in the house chased by the PONs. Then, arrived Cotonkist Moufi, Shiarita of Woodland Cottage, Cotonbrie Marchesa….

Cléo

Can you explain the choice of your kennel name?
My kennel name isn't in relation with the Cotons but with the PONs. When I began to take an interest in the dog world a Polish friend of mine helped me to choose this name: Polana and I decided to keep it then for my Cotons.

Which qualities do you favor in a Coton?
What I like above all is his temperament so lovable. I like to be clinging and to cling my Cotons. I like to his health, his robustness. I like to see a Coton, he is soo beautiful to look at, il est beau à regarder, he attracts the look as much as his coat quality than by his smile seeing you. Another quality that I like: he is a very tough little dog very sporty.

ET the dancer

What are your selection criterion for your reproductive?
Health and temperament are very important for me. All my reproductives are tested to check if they haven't any health problems. Obviously, they must be as closest as possible from the breed standard. Since I have Polana's reproductive, I really begin to control what I can do, aznd this give me a lot of pleasure.

Polana Titan

What do you think about the Coton development these last years?
I remember my first shows I saw. What it was strange for me was the lack of homogeneity in the breed. Regarding this very important progresses have been done.
Then for the coat, a lot of coat, too much coat ? I have a tendancy to be agree with that. It is like we can't see the dog under this coat. He become like an objet d'art.and, because of the care we are giving to the coat, I'm afraid that he can loose his lively and funny temperament.

Finally, breeders are more preoccupied about the health and the tests to be done with the possible reproductives and this for me, is a very positive development that can bring to the breed only very good things.

Portéée de Scarlett

Can you describe the "ideal" Coton ?
a/male
With his presence, robustness but having some sensitivity too, he must show us he is a male. A misc between my ET - strong, a little bit grumpy but who said with his eyes that he love me - and my Titan, little poppet, born at home, I'm calling him "my shadow".…

Kiwi et Titan

b/female
More délicate, but cheerfull and teasing who doesn't lead by the males.

My girls and the puppies ... always the family

 

If you're participating to dog shows, what are your motivations, and what are your criterion for choosing them?

The shows … My first one was in 1995, with my PON, Zoo. I didn't know well what I was doing and was very surprised to see Zoo choosen as Best in Show! This is for sure what it gave me the idea to continue showing.

Because in Canada, Coton is a rare breed, there are very few associations which are organizing shows for these breeds.So I'm obliged to travel a lot and I enjoy a lot these outing with my Cotons. I like to meet other dog fanciers, this allow me to recharge one's batteries, and to make be quiet misgivings I have about sometimes.… More, I must say I had very good results with my dogs, and to win isn't something unpleasant. But above all, I like complicity Mais avant tout, j’aime la complicité between, my dogs and me. Cotons enjoy so much travelling, It's one more quality wze must add to the breed.

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When you're breeding, what are the éléments you're taking into account to choose the dam and the sire ??
First the health. We need that both reproductives are checked without any problems. Sure both must be very representative of the breed too.And the temperament is a very imortant thing too. Since I began to breed Cotons, I really can be aware of all this things. It's really interesting and I'm in a hurry to see little Polana born from Polana parents ....

Polana Kiwi

Is there a question that you would like we answer you ? If yes which one ? And can you answer ?

The question : What bring you your work with your Cotons?

My answer : Since I began to be involved in the breeding, I must say that I personnaly changed a lot. I'm a very active person. All the work that need a Coton well looked after is satisfying this nedd of activity. Mu numerous trips gave me too an assurance I haven't before. At last, the different things to do with the dogs and the fact to be ell organized are other factors that I like so much. But, above all, I don't want to forget to speak about this privileged relationship that I have with my dogs, thuis big complicity which spreaded during the years.

Everybody is here.

Réponses et photos par Marie-France Prayal - élevage Polana