Coton de Tulear

A very low prey drive makes the Coton one of the steadiest small dogs to walk, far less likely than most to lunge after a cat or a squirrel. Adults usually weigh 3.5 to 7 kg, and a UK study, admittedly of only 44 dogs, found a life expectancy of about 14 years. The trade-off is the cotton-like coat, which sheds very little but mats easily and needs daily brushing. Its long back means jumps off the sofa are best discouraged.