About Us

About Crackerjack Cotons

Welcome to our Website

Crackerjack Cotons is a small Canadian breeder of purebred Coton de Tulears.  We are dedicated to the preservation of this amazing rare-breed dog.

We have owned and shown numerous dogs and breeds over the decades.  Approximately a dozen years ago, In search of the “perfect” breed, we fell head over heels in love with the Coton de Tulear.  In our opinion, this is one of the most delightful canines one could ever ask for.  We were drawn not only to their beauty but also to the fact that they are intelligent, very social, and oh so loving!

All our Cotons are considered members of the family and live inside our home with us, occupying every room, bed, and chair — given the opportunity!  They have regular access to our large, outdoor living space where they can romp safely within our fenced yard and get much-needed fresh air and sunshine.  Our puppies are born and raised in the hub of our home, constantly surrounded by daily household activities and a lot of love and socialization.  And each one of our dogs actively participates in several dog sporting events—from obedience to barn hunting and everything in between! Cotons are amazingly versatile, and we believe they all deserve to have the opportunity to learn and have fun while doing so.

“Dani and Carmen worked very hard to make Rosie’s transition to her new home as painless as possible.  We really appreciated their assistance with the numerous decisions involved in taking on a puppy—like potty training, spaying, and proper nutrition—and we’ve been made to feel that they’re with us still if we need their advice down the road.  Thank you, Dani and Carmen, for giving Rosie a great start!”

~ Sandi J.

”I purchased a puppy from this kennel and am very happy.  His sire and dam have had all the testing possible to produce the best healthy puppies and I respect them for this.  They are out to better the breed and certainly did with my boy.

I was a breeder of American Cocker Spaniels and German Shepherd dogs in my younger days and know about responsibility for these puppies that we produce.  Good breeders stand behind their stock as Carmen and I have done.

Watch for Nik in the obedience ring and also in the altered ring.”

~Vicky U.

“I couldn’t get a pup from Dani as all her pups were spoken for.  Nevertheless, she spent a lot of time with me on the phone answering questions about her kennel and dogs.  I was very impressed with how careful they are with the health of their breeding dogs.  She couldn’t have been more kind or helpful.

We do have a Coton puppy from another breeder now and Dani found out I was looking for Coton pups in the area to socialize with my little one as puppy school was not possible due to Covid.  She put me in touch with a client of hers from Calgary and our pups have become great friends.  She didn’t need to do this as she knew I wasn’t buying a pup from her.  This shows me she cares a lot about these dogs and their well-being.

If you are considering a Coton you won’t regret it.  They are the most loveable, sweet, and funny little dogs.  This is my second and I would never have another breed.”

~Elaine L.

“Carmen is an amazing handler and groomer.  Her Coton de Tulears are beautiful, smart, healthy, and well socialized.  Carmen loves working with her dogs doing conformation, obedience, rally obedience, dancing with dogs, tricks, barn hunt, herding, sprinter and disk work.  There is no sporting event that Carmen and her champion dogs won’t try for fun and titles, as they have many!”

~Cathy M.

Our Mission

We have made it our mission to safeguard the health and standard of the Coton de Tulear through careful and ethical breeding. Health and temperament are paramount. All the dogs who are considered in our breeding program are tested at minimum for genetic disorders such as BNAT, CMR2, DM, IVDD, PH, PRA-PRCD, and VWD1. In addition to these tests being completed, we also collect results on patella, hips and elbows, plus do CERF eye and cardiac exams. Nothing is left to chance.

Puppy Culture

As well, we follow the protocol of Puppy Culture by J. Killion with our litters. This is a powerful program used to help train pups during those important and impressionable first 16 weeks of life.  More information can be found at Puppy Culture Website