When winter arrives, many of us enthusiastically embrace the changes it brings. We can wear our favorite warm winter coats, enjoy the bracing wind, and frolic like children in the freshly fallen snow.

A small breed of dog that originated in the more temperate climate of Madagascar, Coton de Tulear puppies share our frenzied excitement. However, as the winter season drags on, our perceptions shift. Winds that were once bracing become piercing. Smiles at fresh powder turn to frustration as we dig our way out of snow drifts. This Coton de Tulear puppy picture mirrors our mid-winter frustrations.

What is a Coton de Tulear, anyway?

The Coton de Tulear is a small dog whose reputation is on the rise. These dogs were admitted to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show for the first time in 2015. In January, a Coton de Tulear named Icon won the breed’s first American Best in Show award at a dog show in South Carolina. Beyond the show stage, the Coton de Tulear is being recognized for his constant cheerfulness and readiness to play. Check out this eager puppy!

The Coton de Tulear puppies and dogs you’re likely to see in competitive conformation shows tend to be covered in long, flowing white locks. Well, wandering through winter’s sludge is going to get the most adorable dog’s coat filthy. As we prepare for spring with these Coton de Tulear puppies, I won’t hesitate to tell you that grooming is a big part of their lives. Time for a nice dog bath!

Not the most flattering look for any dog, though it’s certainly good for a smile and to provoke a hearty laugh from the most winter-weary among us. A long, lustrous coat may get it done for eagle-eyed judges at dog shows, but many dog owners might put haircuts on the list of spring cleaning duties. A fresh look and a close trim can improve our outlook and give us a better view of a Coton de Tulear puppy’s large, dark eyes.

These Coton de Tulear puppies are ready for spring!

The Coton de Tulear might be a lap-sized dog, but their rising popularity among small dog breeds is due in no small part to their boundless energy and love of adventure. Observe the knowing grin on this Coton de Tulear puppy’s face. There’s a gleam in the eye that reminds me of Falkor, the luck-dragon from The Neverending Story. This puppy is far too small to give you a ride through the sky, but cute puppy pictures always allow us to daydream.

One of the worst parts of winter is that it limits our movements and dampens our spirit. We don’t see our friends as often as usual, which certainly doesn’t help. As winter gives way to spring, the sun peeps out from behind grey skies and melts away whatever snow remains. This Coton de Tulear puppy takes immediate advantage, dashing over to a friend’s house for a long-awaited reunion. Puppy playdates are back and everyone’s invited!

Familiar landscapes take on renewed interest!

Now that you’re out and about, you find the silliness of the Coton de Tulear puppy too strong and too infectious to withstand. The Coton de Tulear puppy’s short legs don’t prevent the dog from bouncing all over the living room when he sees you reach for the leash. Your local park is still empty, which is the perfect opportunity for a puppy to let out excess energy!

You and your Coton de Tulear might live closer to the lake. No matter the situation, once you’re ready to start leaving the house on a regular basis, you can count on the joyous temperament of the Coton de Tulear puppy to make the most familiar locales seem like fantasy wonderlands. You’re catching some of the baby puppy’s excitement.

Even if you don’t live with a Coton de Tulear puppy, these excellent, fun-filled puppy pictures are hopefully doing what they’re intended to and delivering a glimpse at the better weather and happier moods of the spring to come. Perhaps they’re helping you envision yourself under bluer skies and brighter days. Soon, you’ll be bounding out of the house and across the fields.

Is there a Coton de Tulear in your life?

With their soft, cottony coats, range of happy vocalizations, and faces that seem wrought into smiles at all times, these Coton de Tulear puppy pictures are making me long for springtime. These are friendly, outgoing, and gentle dogs. How can you look at this face and not feel your spirits rise?

Though they’ve had a presence here since the 1970s, this is a breed that is only just starting to hit its stride in America. Do you know any Coton de Tulear puppies or dogs? Share your experiences, stories, and photos of these happy little fluffballs in the comments!

See more cute puppy pictures at Dogster:

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• Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy Pictures? Yes, Please
• Find Your Joy With These Akita Puppy Pictures

About the author: Melvin Peña trained as a scholar and teacher of 18th-century British literature before turning his research and writing skills to puppies and kittens. He enjoys making art, hiking, and concert-going, as well as dazzling crowds with operatic karaoke performances. He has a one-year-old female Bluetick Coonhound mix named Idris, and his online life is conveniently encapsulated here.