So what is an Australian Cobberdog?

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The Cobberdog, originated in Australia by The Guide Dog Association of Australia, when the association received an enquiry from a blind lady in Hawaii requesting a guide dog that would not aggravate allergies or asthma. Mr. Wally Conron was the driving force behind this program, which originally bred a Labrador to the Standard Poodle. The Australian Cobberdog continues to be the gold standard by which all Cobberdogs are measured. by.
 
After years of research, the Australian lines from Tegan Park and Rutland Manor are brilliantly developed. They have developed Cobberdogs that are consistent in gentle temperaments, allergy/asthma friendly, non-shedding coats and wonderful intelligence. These are the qualities we want in our dogs. We have benefited from their incredible knowledge and expertise, and are honored to continue this incredible line!
 
The Australian Cobberdog is a fun-loving, quiet, calm yet comical, loving companion for families as well as a fantastic service animal, being easily trainable, loyal and intelligent. The Australian Cobberdog is not a recognized breed as yet; however, many breeders are working towards developing a breed standard for the future recognition of the Australian Cobberdog.
 

 

History of the Cobberdog (widely known in the U.S. as Australian Labradoodle)

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Some people want to avoid making the Cobberdog into a recognized breed, in order to maximize genetic diversity. By restricting breeding to early generation dogs (i.e., bred from a Poodle and Labrador rather than from two Cobberdogs), they hope to maintain a wide gene pool, and avoid the inherited health problems that have plagued some dog breeds.

 

Other people are breeding Cobberdog to Cobberdog over successive generations, and trying to establish a new breed. These dogs are usually referred to as Multigenerational (abr. Multigen) or Australian Cobberdogs. Australian Cobberdogs differ from Multigenerational Cobberdogs, as they may also have other breeds in their ancestry. English and American Cocker Spaniel/Poodle crosses, Two Irish Water Spaniels, Wheaton Terriers and a Curly Coated Retriever have variously been used in some Australian Cobberdog lines.

 

Only settle for the best! 

 

Australian does make a difference. Be sure to settle for nothing less than an Australian Cobberdog Multigen, bred for decades to consistently produce high quality and predictable companions.

 

Cobberdogs seldom need a bath and are naturally blessed to not have that "doggie" smell. Their fleece is almost resistant to dirt. The more you bathe your Cobberdog, the less natural oils will be in its coat. Fleas are also rare. If you live in an area with a high flea population, we encourage you to use Revolution.

 

There are two types of Cobberdog coats.

1. A wool coat is the most allergy-friendly coat. If your family suffers from asthma, this would be the coat for you. Wool coats are easy to care for with attentive grooming. We shave our wool coat dogs 2 to 3 times a year and clip as needed.

2. A fleece coat is gorgeous, and a true fleece coat should not shed and is also an allergy friendly coat. It offers medium maintenance and can be scissor-ed or clipped like a wool coat and grow back to its long flowing style.

 

See Cobberdog Care for more grooming information.

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More about The Australian Cobberdog...

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WHAT BREEDS MAKE UP THE AUSTRALIAN COBBERDOG?
There were many breeds involved in the early stages of development. Now the Australian Cobberdog doesn’t 
really resemble any of those breeds. We are many generations along now and it has it’s own unique identity 
and well defined characteristics that lend themselves to therapy and service including;

• sustained eye contact

• emotional warmth

• high intuition (reading human emotional states well)

• intelligence

• high aptitude for training

• a calm soothing nature

 

IS IT A LABRADOODLE?
No, while they can look a bit similar their genetic profile is different.

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WHAT IS A BREED IN DEVELOPMENT?
Most current well known dog breeds have only been accepted as purebreds in the past couple of hundred years. 
They had to go through a “purebred in development” stage too and all well known breeds were a combination of 
other breeds. A purebred in the developing stage means we are all working towards predictability within the 
breed, in temperament and appearance. There is the purebred registry, the MDBA, overseeing the development 
of the breed. There are goals we need to reach before the breed will be determined to be a developed purebred.

Master Dog Breeders Association (MDBA)

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE BREED
The Australian Cobberdog has been developed to be a non shedding, low to no odor, allergy friendly dog who 
comes in three sizes - Miniature, Medium, & Standard.

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Key features are a unique intuition demonstrated by his deep eye to eye connection with humans, a total lack of 
aggression, easy going ways, and a keen intellect in a mind which soaks up learning like a sponge. He has a 
comical side also, with a goofy fun loving sense of humor.  He loves to make you laugh!

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Because of his high intelligence, the Australian Cobberdog requires early training to occupy his mind and to avoid 
boredom.  Athletic and graceful, he excels in dog sports, but is just as content to lay by your side as he is to go 
for a run.  If a family member is sick this dog doesn't want to leave their side.

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The Cobberdog Standard of Excellence is written as the ‘ideal goal’ for breeders to aspire to, breed standards are 
necessary to maintain a true breed type and preserve the important characteristics of the breed, For the Australian 
Cobberdog, it is temperament, non-shedding non odor, easy maintenance, allergy-friendly coat and its genetic health.

The breed standard faults, virtues and preferences are all to aid in maintaining a dog of healthy mind and body 
suited to the purpose it was created for – The Australian Cobberdog is an easy care, non-shedding family companion 
and a community service/assistance dog.

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Lack of aggression should immediately impress when viewing this breed, with overall symmetry and balance, light 
footed athleticism and a lively, joyful aura. A sociable dog that is self–confident and ready to make friends with 
humans or other animals when invited to do so.

He may be exuberant, joyful and bouncy, but never hyperactive or busy, the moment you lay hands on him, he should melt in your hands directing his attention to you in a calm gentle way and immediately seek your eye contact. It is noted even young puppies will behave in the same way contrary to a normal confident puppy who will wiggle around in your arms and lick excitedly.  

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Their unique intuitive nature and the seeking of direct human eye contact should be easily discernible giving you a 
feeling of wonderment and respect. The temperament of the Australian Cobberdog is truly unique and must be cherished and maintained as a priority in a breeding program.

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The second distinctive feature of this breed is their coat. It should be single, minimal to completely non-shedding. It 
must be a fine silky fleece texture hanging in waves and swirls or loose large ringlets, [spirals] it may look abundant 
but in fact be fine with moderate volume; it should never be thick, heavy, harsh or dry to touch. The name Fleece came 
from the exquisitely fine glossy fiber grown on the Angora goat.

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The third feature is its genetic health; The Australian Cobberdog breed development has enjoyed an era of modern 
technology and has benefited from rigorous genetic testing eliminating many hereditary disorders that have all but 
destroyed other breeds.

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Preserving the Cobberdog Breed

The Australian Cobberdog is a registered Pure Breed
In 2012, The Master Dog Breeders & Associates officially recognized the Australian Cobberdogs as a pure breed in 
development. The MDBA is the only place in the world that can register Australian Cobberdogs. When an Australian 
Cobberdog is registered with the MDBA, this confirms that it is an authentic Australian Cobberdog.

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The Australian Cobberdog Official Breed Standard

1. General Impression.
A gracefully athletic and balanced dog, free of exaggeration, with a luxurious non-shedding, odourless coat. They are 
generally recognized by furnishings with the “groomed look” a fresh rounded appearance rather than droopy. Their 
innate desire and aptitude for training, is expressed through their sociable, joyful and friendly nature. They have 
a desire for close human companionship and an instinct to seek intimate eye to eye contact

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2. Temperament.
Even tempered, trusting, happy, loyal, confident and sociable, eager to please, observant, and adapts well to new 
situations and environments. Easily trained but can appear to be stubborn when confused. Full of vitality, energy and 
playfulness with clown like behavior when free but subdued and gentle when handled. Has the ability to make the humans in its life feel that it has a unique intuition, a mutual connection and that it can display an appropriate response to their emotional and physical needs. The Australian Cobberdog is easy to live with, an ideal family member and an excellent emotional support companion for those with special needs.

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3. Size.
Miniature:
No shorter than 13 inches (33 cm)
No Taller than 16.5 inches (42 cm)

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Medium:
No shorter than 16.5 inches (42 cm)
No taller than 20 inches (51 cm)

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Standard:
No shorter than 20 inches (51 cm)
No taller than 24 inches (61 cm)

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4. The Body
Free from exaggerations. Top line should remain level with strong loin and slightly sloping croup. Ribs should be well 
sprung but not barrelled. Overall the dog should appear square, balanced, athletic, and with good muscling. Tuck up is 
sufficient to enable the hind legs to reach well forward beneath the body when gaiting. The Croup only slightly tapers 
to the set on of tail.

 

4.1. Forequarters
Shoulders should have good angulation with firm elbows held close to the rib cage. Chest neither broad nor narrow, with brisket level with the point of elbow. Angulation of the shoulders is symmetrical to that of the femur and tibia bones in the hindquarters, with sufficient slope to allow maximum extension of the front limbs when trotting. The point of shoulder is in line with the pro sternum. Upper arms are evenly muscled, with elbows neither pinched into the sides 
nor protruding. Front legs are parallel to one another and straight to the ground with no deviation whether viewed from the front or the side. Cannons are strong and straight and only slightly longer than the pasterns.

 

Feet: 
Compact, either round or oval, with thick pads, well arched toes and short strong nails. Dewclaws are permitted on the front feet.

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4.2. Hindquarters:
Medium angulation with strong hocks. Angulation of the femur and tibia bones is symmetrical to that of the scapula and humerus bones in the shoulders with sufficient slope to allow a long reaching propelling stride from the hind feet, 
which commences well forward beneath the body of the dog.

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Thighs:
Upper thighs are broad, tapering only slightly into the second thigh. When viewed from the rear, the thighs are in a 
direct line behind the forearms of the front legs and are free of bowing or curvature.

 

Stifles:
Length is similar to that between point of elbow and pastern joint on the forequarters with sufficient angulation to 
smoothly transmit impulsion from the rear of the dog through to the front limbs.

 

Hocks:
Close to the same length as the pasterns on the forequarters. Hocks are parallel to one another and straight to the 
ground when viewed from the rear or the side.

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Tail:
The tail should be plumed and sabre shaped. It should follow the top line when at rest. The last two thirds may be 
above the dog’s back when excited or in movement but should not curl completely over the back. Tip should not touch
the back nor curl upon itself.

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Feet:
Compact with thick pads, well arched toes and short strong nails. No dewclaws on hind feet

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5. Neck:
Elegant, with firm skin and a gentle arch. Neither long nor short. Flows naturally into the withers on the top, and 
down into the point of sternum on the underside without the appearance of being ‘stuck on’.

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6. Head:
Slightly square, free from exaggerations and in proportion to the size of the dog. Length from tip of nose to the 
inner corner of the eyes only slightly shorter than from the inner corner of the eyes to the point of the occiput. 
Nasal bones are broad and flat, with frontal bones a similar width to the side bones which have flat muscling giving 
a sculptured appearance. Skull gently rounded and of similar width to the frontal bones of the face with furnishings.

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6.1. Stop:
Blunt but well defined with a very slightly indented brow between the eyes.

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6.2. Eyes:
A distinct feature. Expression of the eyes is open, gentle, soulful, confident, and friendly with a sparkle of fun. 
Preferred shape is oval, with long sweeping eyelashes and set well apart but not to the extreme side of the head. 
Expression and seeking intimate contact with human eyes is more important than exact shape.

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6.3. Muzzle:
More broad than narrow, but not to excess. Lips firmly fitting and rims lined with unbroken pigment.

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6.4. Bite:
Scissor bite

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6.5. Nose:
A distinct Feature. Noticeably large and fleshy with open nostrils and rich unbroken pigment. Broken pigment is 
non desirable.

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6.6. Ears:
Drop ears with long silky furnishings and a slightly elevated set-on at the base, which is even with or only 
slightly above the outside corner of the eyes. Leather fine and pliable, with its tip at least mid-way down the 
face, when gently drawn forward should reach the top canine tooth but not extending below the nose. Furnishings 
may extend below this point. Ear canals free from thick hair and of an average width rather than narrow. When 
inquisitive and alert the ear set should rise to the top of the head. Ear leather reaching beyond the tip of 
nose is considered a severe fault.

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7. Coat:
As the genetic values stabilize the ideal is soft, luxurious and smooth textured wavy or curly fleece, single coat 
[no undercoat]. Very low to no shedding with very low to no odor. Visual wavy coat with furnishings most preferred.
A dense rough feeling wool coat and a flat coat with no furnishings are highly undesirable

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8. Colors:
All colors are acceptable. Pigment should be solid. Butterfly or Parti Nose not desirable.

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9. Gait
This breed’s movement is characterized by a joyous bearing, with a light footed, airy and tireless, long reaching and 
effortless stride that appears to float above the ground and to be going somewhere with purpose.
The full trot is a true two-time action with no sign of ambling or pacing and the hocks do not wobble or bump together 
when viewed from the rear but move directly forward in line with the front legs.
Seen from the side, in a trot or a gallop the topline remains level with a minimum of up and down movement and the 
head and neck are extended rather than being unduly raised. Each of the four legs steps forward long and low without 
dishing or plaiting. Prancing mincing or high stepping are non-desirable.

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10. Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded must be taken in consideration of its potential impact and effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and the breed. Consideration must also be given to the dog’s ability to carry out the functions for which the breed is 
intended.