The Australian Cobberdog is a poodle mix-breed dog first developed in Australia in the 1990s. Several dog breeds were used to create this hybrid dog. Some Labradoodle breeders and dog fanciers insist that the Australian Cobberdog was the first ‘purebred’ hypoallergenic dog developed to become a therapy dog.
Are you looking to welcome the Cobberdog into your family? Perhaps, you already are the lucky owner of this wonderful pet.
In any case, this guide has all the information you need about the relatively new and rare Australian Cobberdog.
Table of Contents
What Is an Australian Cobberdog?
The term Cobber is Australian for ‘friend’ or ‘mate’. Since the Cobberdog breed was developed to assist people and as therapy dogs, the name Cobberdog is appropriate. In a Cobberdog, you will always have a friend you can count on.
In the beginning, breeders set out to create a hybrid between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle to use as therapy or assistant dogs. These dogs – the Labradoodles – became quite popular. As more and more breeders began developing the Labradoodle breed, you started getting smarter and more hypoallergenic dogs.
However, the ‘term’ Labradoodle soon came to be over-exploited. It also began being misused as some unethical breeders started breeding Labrador and Poodle crosses indiscriminately. This greatly diluted the purpose for which the Labradoodle was bred. Many Labradoodles also didn’t have the consistent temperament that was expected of therapy dogs.
As a result, some breeders took it upon themselves to improve the Labradoodle breed. They made use of breeds like Labrador Retriever, Standard Poodle, Irish Water Spaniel, and Cocker Spaniel to create a more reliable therapy dog that was smart, hypoallergenic, and also highly-trainable. Thus was born the Australian Cobberdog. Australian Cobberdog breeders consider themselves separate from Labradoodle breeders, having branched out and developed their own bloodline.
Is Australian Cobberdog a Labradoodle? Cobberdog vs Australian Labradoodle
No. Although both breeds are quite similar, there are also plenty of differences.
Cobbers (as Australians like to call them) have a more consistent and predictable temperament compared to Labradoodles. Labradoodles were developed from Labrador Retrievers and Standard, Miniature or Toy Poodles whereas Cobberdogs also have Spaniel blood in their ancestry.
Labradoodles are an old and established dog breed whereas Cobberdogs are relatively new and recently developed. Cobberdogs aren’t recognized by the ANKC or UKC.
Note that the Australian Cobberdog is recognised as a pure breed by the Master Dog Breeders and Associates or the MDBA. For the uninitiated, the Master Dog Breeders and Associates is an organisation that has been striving hard to maintain the purity of dog breeds.
Through education and awareness, they are trying to get backyard breeders and bulk breeders to refrain from unethical breeding practices and only breed as per the standards laid down by various clubs. Their latest breed in development is the Theodore, formerly known as the Cavoodle or Cavalier King Charles Poodle Mix Breed.
Thus, if you’re planning on buying your Australian Cobberdog, make sure to only buy from MBDA-approved and Australian Cobberdog Association registered breeders. Only these breeders have the legitimacy to label their Cobberdogs as purebred.
Physical Description of Australian Cobberdogs
How Big Do Cobberdogs Get? At What Age Do Australian Cobberdogs Stop Growing?
Australian Cobberdogs are available in four sizes – mini, medium, standard, and extra-large.
- Miniature Cobberdogs measure between 33-42 cm or 13-16 inches.
- Medium Cobberdogs measure between 42-52 cm or 16-20 inches.
- Standard Cobberdogs measure between 52-61 cm or 20-24 inches
- Extra-large Cobberdogs measure between 61-68 cm or 24-26 inches.
Australian Cobberdogs are fully grown by the time they are between one and three years old. Good breeders aim for balance and symmetry in their Cobberdogs. The length of the dog should be a little more than its height.
Australian Cobberdog – Coat Types and Colours
Cobberdogs come in two coat types – smooth or wavy. The wavy mantle is denser and has accentuated waves.
The coat colours available in the Australian Cobberdog breed are chocolate, dark gold, merle, red, gold, black, and cream. You can also have bi-coloured or particoloured Cobberdogs.
Are Australian Cobberdogs Hypoallergenic? Do They shed?
Australian Cobberdogs were specifically developed to be therapy or assistant dogs. The main requirement here is that these dogs should not provoke an allergic reaction in sick or disabled people.
Most Australian Cobberdogs shed minimally. Their wavy coats also trap the dander underneath which is usually what triggers allergy symptoms in sensitive people.
One must note that no dog can be 100% hypoallergenic. Dog allergies can also occur due to the proteins present in the pet’s urine and saliva. So, if you or a family member suffer from pet allergies or asthma, you must still follow the usual precautions like washing hands and face frequently and vacuuming daily to limit allergens.
Do Australian Cobberdogs Smell? How Often to Bathe A Cobberdog?
The good news is that a Cobberdog’s coat dries very quickly and has minimal odour.
However, both coat varieties in the Australian Cobberdog are characterised by fine, silky, and soft hair. Their hair also grows slowly but continuously and can get stringy and matted if not brushed regularly.
So, you must aim to brush your pet every 2-3 days and bathe your pet at least once a month.
Some owners choose to keep their Cobberdog’s coat short. For this, you may need to visit a professional groomer once every 45-50 days or buy one of the best dog clippers, a professional dog hair dryer and professional dog grooming scissors (one curved and one straight) to groom at home.
The Best Dog Clippers in Australia:
- Wahl – a range of affordable dog clippers
- Kmart – popular cheap dog clippers with good reviews
- Andis – quality range of professional dog clippers
- Heiniger – quality cordless professional dog clippers
The Temperament of Australian Cobberdogs – Are They Good Pets?
Cobberdogs make excellent family pets. They are affectionate, friendly, and gentle with kids and elderly people. These smart dogs are also very easy to train thanks to their eager-to-please attitudes.
Cobbers were originally bred to be assistant or therapy dogs. This is why they have calm and intuitive natures. They are highly sensitive to their owner’s moods and can easily provide comfort and joy to those who need them.
These loyal and devoted dogs will shower their love on all their human family members. However, they tend to get attached to one person; usually, the one who trains, feeds and walks the dog.
Overall, the Australian Cobberdog breed is known for its gentle and loving nature, which makes them great companions and therapy dogs.
Training your Australian Cobberdog
As with any dog, you must begin training your Cobberdog right from day one – the day you bring your puppy home from the breeder. Establish a home routine, consistently, clearly and gently without using negative methods like hitting, punishing, or scolding. These regressive training methods will negatively affect your relationship with your Cobberdog results and can make your sweet dog shy or aggressive.
Australian Cobberdogs respond very well to positive reinforcement training methods. Keep the daily training sessions short and sweet and end each session with plenty of playtime and cuddles.
Do Australian Cobberdogs Bark a Lot?
These calm dogs are generally not prone to barking. This makes them excellent for apartment dwellers. You can train your Cobberdog to bark on cue and they will naturally alert you to intruders or any danger in your surroundings.
How Much Exercise Do Cobberdogs Need?
Cobbers need daily walks and plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Without these, they can get extremely bored or even destructive. The amount of exercise your Cobberdog needs will depend on its size, age, and also its overall health.
Miniature Cobberdogs can be walked 1-2 times a day for 10-15 minutes. Larger Cobberdogs will need at least an hour of physical activity every day.
Do Australian Cobberdogs Love to Swim?
Yes, Cobberdogs love to swim and take to the water right away. Their wavy coats also dry quickly and do not trap the water. Their coat is also naturally water-resistant.
You can swim with your Cobberdog whenever the weather permits as swimming is a low-impact workout that won’t strain your pet’s joints. Please follow all basic precautions like swimming in a safe environment such as a dog-friendly beach, and use a doggy vest if needed. Always supervise your dog in the water at all times.
How Much Do Australian Cobberdogs Cost?
The cost of Australian Cobberdogs can vary from breeder to breeder as well as the size of the dog. Smaller Cobberdogs (Miniature Australian Cobberdog) tend to be more expensive due to their higher demand. Certain coat colours are also rarer and more popular, resulting in higher costs.
Many top Cobberdog breeders are known to charge as high as $6000 for their puppies. You can always consider adopting a Cobberdog from a rescue home. Usually, animal rescues only charge a small fee for rehoming dogs.
Please note that the purchase price of your Cobberdog puppy is not the only cost to consider. You also need to think about the ongoing costs of raising a Cobberdog. These go beyond food and medical costs – you also need to consider pet insurance costs, grooming, training, basic supplies, etc.
On average, small-sized Cobberdogs can easily cost between $500-$1000 annually whereas larger-sized dogs can cost over $2000 a year.
What To Feed a Cobberdog?
Always consult a vet nutritionist or knowledgeable breeder about the best food for your Cobberdog. Your pet’s diet can vary based on its age, size, activity level, and overall health. In general, look for high-quality or premium commercial dog food.
You can also consider homemade food with human-grade meats (chicken, beef, lamb, pork, tuna, kangaroo, sardines, etc.), vegetables (pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes,), and raw meaty, uncooked bones sourced from a reliable butcher. Some of the best raw dog foods are readily available at pet stores near you like Petbarn, Pet Stock etc.
Lifespan of a Cobberdog
Cobbers live for an average of 13-15 years with smaller Cobbers having a longer lifespan than larger ones. Health issues like PRA or progressive retinal atrophy are common in this breed. DNA testing and hip scoring are important health screening tests that breeders should carry out before breeding their dogs. The best Australian Cobberdog Breeders test their dogs to prevent genetic issues of the heart, eyes, and joints and only breed ones cleared for these issues.
Australian Cobberdogs – Cobberdog puppies for sale and breeders
The Australian Cobberdog is one of the rarer designer dog breeds in Australia and the Mini Cobberdog is even more so. If you’re having trouble finding Australian Cobberdog breeders or puppies for sale near you, consider looking for a rescue or other similar poodle mixes such as the Standard Schnoodle, Mini or Standard Bordoodle, Roodle, Labradoodle, Aussiedoodle , Mini Cavoodle or Groodle.
The Cobberdog is particularly popular because of its non-shedding, hypoallergenic coat and high trainability. They have also proven themselves to excel in therapy and emotional support dog roles.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this breed guide to the great Australian Cobberdog.
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