questions about Coton De Tulears or ASd Labradoodle and Aspergers

[CAB07]

Hello all.
I've been looking at a particular breed of dog (the coton de tulear) having first heard about it on here. We are looking for a smallish hypo allergenic family pet and I think these dogs sounds gorgeous.
I have yet to meet one in person, but hope to soon. I just wanted to ask if anyone here has one, has come across one, and has any experience with high functioning autism and anxiety.

We had also looked at the ASD Labradoodle which I know are bred as therapy dogs but I fear just a bit too big for us....but I'd love to hear any experience of either breed in a family.

Thanks so much

Coton's you need to love grooming!

labradoodles were first breed for therapy dog's to get the correct size for larger people no other reason, and the original breeder has since regretted this mix of dog.

Are you going to be training the dog yourself for assistance work or through a charity?

We are getting a Coton next week! She looks like a beautiful placid pup- we were also looking for a hypoallergenic-ish, small friendly breed and the Coton seems to tick all our boxes. I'll let you know how we get on. There are waiting lists for the top breeders so we needed to be patient waiting for the right puppy - iddeally we would have had a a pup later in the spring for the better weather but when the right puppy came along we had to go for it....

Hi.
One of the main reasons we got our miniature poodle is that one of my dds can be very anxious and finds social situations stressful. I wanted her to have a fluffy and loyal distraction.
I am allergic to dogs and always have been. So I did lots of research and read that with crosses you never know how much shedding they will do.
So we eventually got a miniature poodle. I went and rubbed my face in the pups before we committed just as a tester! And the breeder said if I ended up with allergies she would be happy to take him back. She also allowed me the pick of the litter. I asked for the calmest and most confident.

Luckily he hasn’t really effected me at all other than the first couple of weeks while I was getting used to him. He really does not shed at all. (He is only 7 months so hoping this doesn’t change when his adult coat comes in).

We are still learning about having a dog. Things are much more settled now and my dd is finding that he an be a comfort. He is more gentle with her than my other daughter who likes to play with him more than quietly stroke him.

But the tiny puppy phase was very hard for my anxious dd. A lot of her routines went out the window with a tiny puppy around. We had to stay in for him when she wanted to go out. She couldn’t leave things around as he would chew them. He barks sometimes and that bothers her still. He doesn’t walk calmly at her side like a relatives old dog does (she loves that). But it’s all a learning curve.
We wouldn’t be without him. But it has been hard work. There are massive pros and considerable cons. You know your child best and what they can cope with.

But I would suggest you look into a poodle if you want one that sheds very little / not at all.
Also they are very clever and willing to please. They have lots of energy and ours is incredibly friendly and always happy to have a cuddle. He is very gentle and seems able to know which of us like to rough and tumble, and which of us prefer a cuddle.

Sorry, forgot to add two of my DC have dcd/anxiety, so choosing a breed with hopefully calm but playful temperament was key for us...

We have a bichon frise. We had our first before the children were born but the one we have now is brilliant with ds. He senses his anxiety and can calm him post meltdown.

@detoxpup that's interesting about the Labradoodle - i hadn't read about the original breeder being unhappy.
I've done a fair amount of reading about the coton and am ok with the grooming.
I won't be training the dog to be an assistant dog, just want a breed that is happy to be around children with differing needs. I'll be training it in much the same way I would any puppy.

@cotonshaded - oh how exciting that is. We are on the list for one due in April - I've tied myself in knots about it! I'm hoping to meet one soon - have you got friends who have one? or how did you find the breed? Really interesting that you have the anxiety issue too and encourages me to know you've gone for this breed too.

Thanks @mishapesmistakes for your thoughts good to know - and good to be reminded that the puppy stage is hard going and we need to be ready for that, changes to routine etc.

Fantastic @alexanderhamilton - sounds lovely.

Thanks so much

We've a goldendoodle always had dogs before children but he was our first as a family. Best temperament of any dog we've had. Dd has anxiety and sensory issues and he's her go to when she's worked up.

@confusednorthner I've heard lovely things about those lovely dogs but sadly because of the allergies, I can't go for a crossbreed because there are no guarantees of the hypoallergenic. but thanks for telling me - they are gorgeous.

I have asthma hence another reason why we felt bichons were ideal for us.

Have a wonderful toy poodle, absolutely no shedding at all. Very easy to house train. Exceptionally intelligent, sometimes think my boy is a human in disguise. Will become your shadow and very much a lap dog

@CAB07 - yes, I tied myself in knots too, is a big decision to make! I found the breed as I wanted a non shedding friendly breed and originally looked at Spanish Water Dogs but my DS would be too anxious about a dog that size, or a Maltese /Bichon - but they can have I understand separation anxiety. The CdT seems to have the best qualities of each breed. My seller has a farm - apparently the CdT mother is equally happy trotting around with the farm dogs and horses as being pushed around in her toy pram by her daughter which sounds good!

No dog is hypoallergenic. Please don’t assume that one breed will suit you. Steer clear of cross breeds such as labradoodles. Meet as many as you can of your chosen breed. I have allergies and spent many a happy hour cuddling dogs of my chosen breed to see if I reacted. (I did ask permission first!!)
Could you visit Discover Dogs at Crufts? If not contact the breed club of the breed you are interested. Worth going to a show to meet some.
The puppy stage is hard! Read some threads here. The biting and unpredictable behaviour can make children anxious.

Lots of breeds can be good with high functioning autism. My nephew is high functioning and all four of my parents Norfolk Terriers and my F1 cockerpoo all are very good with him. DN loves dogs and the are a large part of his coping mechanism.

Wolfiefan, why do you say to avoid cross breeds? (Not being confrontational, I'm genuinely interested, thank you!)

Would you consider a rescue l- there are 5 available here

www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/filters/~437~~~~n~

@wolfiefan thanks - yes I've read alot about it. @Elizabethmainwaring apparently with a crossbreed the dog can turn out like either one of the parents, so you're not sure what you're getting. Advice I was given was you must love characteristics of both breeds as they can go either way. The ASD Labradoodle is a little more structured as it isn't first generation cross but that said no guarantee of hypoallergenic with any breed as @wolfiefan says.

@ipromiseiwon'tbenaughty yes i would have done except almost always they are adults only and need to be with another dog and experience We have no other dogs, we have children and we don't have experience so sadly that means it isn't possible.

@lonecatwithkitten thanks so much that's encouraging. I think I'm over thinking it!

Oh ok, thank you. I have a bichon / Tibetan spaniel cross. Similar breeds temperament wise. She's lovely. (Bichons don't moult btw.) Good luck with your search.

Tibetan spaniels are amazing dogs for people with send, but unfortunately they moult a lot.

We have a miniature labradoodle who is definitely more lab than poodle on the fur front! Malts terribly! She isn’t ASD though.
She also has a great temperament & so well behaved. We have three children one of whom has SN & she’s been perfect. We did invest a lot in time & money on training too.

I have a cockerpoo who is a standard poodle cross so bigger than most with a lot more energy than the smaller ones we know. She has got the right coat type for my husband who is allergic to most breeds however it is a genetic lottery and your never guaranteed to be that lucky with a cross. I wouldn’t swap her for the world but I’m not sure I’d recommend that any parents of children with any sort of anxiety get one like her!
On the other hand my sister has a Bichon Frise who has the most fantastic calm temperament and needed only minimal training even as a puppy. As a hypoallergenic breed which requires a lot less exercise but still loves a good play with toys and people I’d defenitely recommend one to those who haven’t as much experience with dogs and puppies.

My SIL has a Lhasa apso who doesn’t moult and is a dream of a girl. We are looking after her while they are away & she’s fabulous. A bit stubborn but such a sweetie. I’m hoping SIL says we can keep her but I doubt it

@ElizabethMainwaring
It’s specifically “designer” crossbreeds like a Labradoodle or cockerpoo. People perceive them as “breeds” and often think because they met a lovely one that they are a good direction to go in. Unfortunately they’re not breeds at all. If people research the very worst of each breed and decide they can handle that then fine. But too many people see cute pup and fail to think about the reality of what they’re taking on (eg two high energy or clever or need a lot of grooming or exercise breeds crossed.)
Unfortunately they’re also a puppy farmer’s dream. People will pay stupid money for them. Unlike a KC registered pedigree there’s no record of how many times each bitch is bred from. Genetics is hit and miss and health tests are rarely done. With pedigrees a good breeder will do health tests before breeding and consider the best match and try and improve the breed. Cross breeds are all about the £.
That said I grew up with a cross breed rescue. He was lovely. A stunning family dog.