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It is widely believed that the ancestors of the Cotons frequently accompanied sailors aboard ships in the 15th and 16th century. The reasons for this are unclear although many believe they were companions for the sailors and passengers and also helped rid the ships of mice and rats.

The story goes that one night one of these ships ran into a storm near Tulear, Madagascar and sank. All of the sailors perished but the surviving little dogs swam ashore where they settled and bred with the local dogs resulting in the Coton de Tulear.

The native Malagasy’s became enchanted with them and eventually domesticated them. In time they were presented to the Royalty of Madagascar as gifts and soon a law was passed making it a criminal offence for anyone other then wealthy nobles to own one. They soon to became known as The Royal Dog of Madagascar.