— Our Story
The family behind Australia’s Coton de Tulear
A small breeder, on the Gold Coast, raising healthy puppies
for families who’ll love a Coton for life.
Cotonrun is Australia’s first registered Coton de Tulear breeder, founded by Michelle Sleight on the Gold Coast in 2015. We breed a small number of carefully planned litters each year, raised in our home using the Puppy Culture program, for families who’ll love their Coton for life.
2008 — Singapore
How a small white dog changed everything
In a three-bedroom apartment on the third floor of a Singapore high-rise, we brought home a tiny white puppy from the renowned Italian breeder Eli De Luca of Cotonbrie. Her name was Gypsy.
She was charming, gentle, and quietly funny. Strangers in the lift stopped us constantly: “What kind of dog is that?”
We didn’t set out to become breeders. We fell in love with one dog, and then with everything she represented.
2015 onwards
Bringing the breed home to Australia
Introducing a new breed to Australia is slow, careful work. We did it the right way —
through the ANKC, with imported dogs of proven lineage and health.
December 2015
The breed is officially recognised
The Australian National Kennel Club recognises the Coton de Tulear. We become Australia’s first registered Coton breeders.
Late 2015
Jasper and Luna arrive from Hungary
The Australian National Kennel Club recognises the Coton de Tulear. Jasper, fresh from winning World Dog Best Puppy 2015 in Italy, and Luna, a European age-related champion, join our breeding program.
September 2016
Our first litters are born
Gypsy and Luna welcome their first puppies in our Gold Coast nursery.
2017
Quantana, Mille Fleur and Honey join the family
Multi-European Champions, including Honey from Crufts and World Dog 2017, expand the diversity of our bloodlines.
OUR PROMISE
What ethical breeding looks like in practice
Quality, not quantity
A small number of carefully planned litters each year.
Every pairing considered for months.
Raised in our home
No kennels or sheds. Our dogs sleep on the
couch and grow up alongside the family.
DNA tested for health
Every breeding dog tested for the genetic
conditions known in the breed.
Puppy Culture from day one
Structured socialisation and early neurological
stimulation through every litter.
Families chosen with care
A real conversation, not a first-come basis.
The right home, every time.
Support for life
A puppy from us means a relationship with us
— for the full 14 to 16 years.
VERIFIED CREDENTIALS
Registered, certified, and accountable
Every credential below is independently verifiable. They mean a third party has
looked at how we breed and confirmed we’re doing it properly
Dogs Queensland (ANKC)
Local council registered
Ethical Breeders Association
Toy Dog Club of Queensland
Bichon Related Breeds NSW
Right Paws verified
Perfect Pets verified
Puppy Culture certified
Delta Dogs trained
Dogs QLD Breeders Certificate
RECOGNITION FROM THE RING
Our bloodlines, recognised worldwide
World Dog Show
Italy & Moscow
Crufts
United Kingdom
European Championships
Multi-titled lines
Ready to welcome a Coton puppy into your family?
Tell us about your home and lifestyle, and we’ll be in touch about adding you to the waitlist for an upcoming Cotonrun litter.
Cotonrun
Australia’s leading Coton de Tulear breeder, raising healthy, world-class puppies on the Gold Coast.
Quick Links
Apply for waitlist
About us
Stories
Gallery
Contact