How did you met the breed?
I have had several different breeds of dogs, mainly collies. My son had a little dauschund whose back herinated. It was devastating. I started my quest for a small house dog that was healthy. My husband boutht me a copy of Dogs USA. I researched all the dogs and kept coming back to the coton. I then started calling and writing breeders. I could not find one in the U. S. Naturally, being a woman, that just made me want one more. I had yet to see a coton. Finally, one breeder told me that Micky Ceriez might have one. She was not all white and the people who had a deposit on her wanted an all white dog. I called Micky and soon had a puppy. She proved to be a wonderful show dog with the prettiest movement that I have ever seen in a coton since.

Who were your first Cotons?
My first coton was Tulipe of Woodland Cottage. She was so wonderful that when Carol Hughes called and said she had puppies, I took another female from her. Two glorious babies now belonged to me. Later on that year, I decided that I would breed them since I had bought 2 show quality dogs. I had previously bred a poodle and really enjoyed the experience. After consideration, I decided that I would buy the same breeding as Cottonkist Macaroon who was the first U.S. bred champion. I contacted Jacque Sades and soon had a little male. That was the beginning of a very rewarding experience, breeding and loving the coton puppies.

Can you explain the choice of your kennel name?
My kennel name is the 1st 3 letters of my name, Sandra, and the 1st 3 letters of my husband's name, Derrell. It has been a joint endeavor from the first, so I thought it would be appropriate to have a joint kennel name.

 

What quality(ies) do you favouring in a Coton?
I think my first quality is temperament. This being true because no matter what happens with a puppy, if he/she has a sweet temperament, people will always take care of that puppy. Second, I like good health. I try to keep all of my breeding stock health tested. And secondly, because I am a show breeder, I like beauty. Whether the dog is small., large or medium, I like good bone and muscle. After purchasing Louxor du Domaine de La Rouviere in partnership with Micky and then later purchasing the second half of him, I found more of the qualities being bred into my stock than ever before.

What are your selection criterion for your reproductives?
First I study the pedigree as much as possible. Secondly, I look at the dogs and I look at pictures. When I see in my mind a combination that I think will fit, that's the way I breed. I like to breed dogs that have championed, and when possible, if I have a really nice female, I try to breed her to a male that has the same look, but will possibly enhance her look.

 

What do you think about the Coton evolution these last years?
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by this. I think you mean the ways that the dog is being changed. I have discussed this with several breeders within the last year. Since 90-95 per cent of these dogs are sold as pets, I wonder if we are not breeding too much coat into them. My biggest complaint from my puppy buyers is the coat. Originally, the dogs had a shorter coat, and I've been told no undercoat. Of course, I will have to admit that the coat is a big part of their beauty. Even though I am a breeder, I keep all of my dogs in full coat. I just love their looks. I think it's a shame that the standard is allowing the missing teeth. I think this will only encourage breeding dogs that have missing teeth, and they will beget more missing teeth. I can live with one or two, but past that, I think we are flirting with danger on their bite.

 

Can you describe the "ideal" Coton ?
a/male
My idea of the perfect coton has always been Louxor. Good bone, excellent muscle, an outstanding rear and front. Beautiful pigment and dark eyes, head and a personality so sweet, it makes tears come to your eyes. Very sweet expression. And very masculiine lookiing. Here is his picture. In this picture, he has very little undercoat. Micky had taken out his undercoat when she had him because of her failing health.

Here is also another male that I like a lot. He also breeds very beautiful puppies. He is Xacto of Woodland Cottage.

b/female
I like a female that has all of the above qualities, but also looks like a female. I don't mind if she is small or to the standard as long as she has the muscle, etc. I have 2 daughters of Louxor that fit this bill. One is Victoria of Woodland Cottage who tends to be on the large side. The other is Natasha du Domaine de La Rouviere, another daughter of Louxor. She is on the small side. Here is Natasha's picture.

And now, I would like to introduce SanDee's Angel Wings. Her sire is Xacto and her dam is Natasha. Her grandfather is Louxor. I think her head personifies my idea of what their head should look like. She has that inner beauty plus good bone and muscle and coat.

If you're participating to dog shows, what are your motivations, and what are your criterion for choosing them?
My motivation is to champion as many of my dogs as is possible. At the very least, my males. Because of the distance and expense here in the United States, I have to pick and choose. Too many of these shows become cost prohibitive. If it is possible, we try to drive. I enjoy going much more in a car than I do on the airplane. I like to go to shows where there is competititon also. If you don't you can't judge your breeding program.

When you're breeding, what are the éléments you're taking into account to choose the dam and the sire ?
First, I want to make sure that I have places for any of the puppies that I don't intend to keep. I breed for myself, first, then secondly to make other people happy. I want to improve the breed. I want to make sure that both dogs are healthy and are of a quality to enhance the puppies with all of the qualities needed to meet the standard.

 

Is there a question that you would like we answer you ? If yes which one ? And can you answer ?
Yes. What health problem(s) do you think is/are the biggest issue in the coton today? I guess, here in the states, we have heard more about patellas, eye problems, and idiopathic aggression. I think the idiopathic aggression might be a little exaggerated. I have never seen one though.

Answers and Pictures by Sandra Bearden - kennel SanDee's Cotons