Australian Cobberdog Fact Sheet
The Australian Cobberdog is Goofy but Smart. They are the Canine Clowns of the dog world. So, you need to be their Pack Leader.
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The Australian Cobberdog, in 2026 is a Pure Breed of dog that was developed in Australia specifically for people with emotional or physical challenges. Another name could well have been Australian Comfort Dog.
The breed was upgraded in 2024 from the MDBA Foundation Register to the MDBA Intermediate Register. |
Some of its root stock was uncorrupted bloodlines gleaned from Australian Labradoodles which were the brainchild of Mellodie Woolley (nee Cunningham.)
Other rootstock were pure breeds that were consistent in their traits and were infused at specific intervals and for specific reasons by the founder, Beverley Rutland-Manners.
Other rootstock were pure breeds that were consistent in their traits and were infused at specific intervals and for specific reasons by the founder, Beverley Rutland-Manners.
The Australian Cobberdog was officially recognized by the Master Dog Breeders & Associates (MDBA) in January of 2012. It took the MDBA Board of Directors seven months of thorough research into the founder's notes and records, to reach the unanimous decision to accept the new breed. The breed's founder signed a contract which gave the MDBA sole rights to use the name globally, to register dogs with proven ancestry and to protect them.
Sizes
The Cobberdog comes in 3 sizes, Miniature, Medium (both small and large) and Standard.
Coat Low to non-shedding single fleece coat that is self-cleaning and has no doggy odor even when wet.
Unique Features They are most recognized for their uncanny ability to discern the emotions and physical needs of humans and to adjust their own behaviors accordingly. They should be exceptionally easy to train although they can be too smart for their own good and need a firm but gentle hand early on before they work out ways to outwit first time dog owners.
Sizes
The Cobberdog comes in 3 sizes, Miniature, Medium (both small and large) and Standard.
Coat Low to non-shedding single fleece coat that is self-cleaning and has no doggy odor even when wet.
Unique Features They are most recognized for their uncanny ability to discern the emotions and physical needs of humans and to adjust their own behaviors accordingly. They should be exceptionally easy to train although they can be too smart for their own good and need a firm but gentle hand early on before they work out ways to outwit first time dog owners.
Cobberdog Nature
Cheerful and bright, they love to make you laugh and go to extraordinary lengths to make you, all the while looking at you over their shoulder to make sure you are watching!
The Intuition of Australian Cobberdogs, is possibly the feature that has made them most desired across the globe. They seek human eye contact and seem to gaze deeply into your soul, rather than look 'at' you. It is through this uncanny connection that they know how you are feeling emotionally or physically and adjust their own reaction accordingly.
Cheerful and bright, they love to make you laugh and go to extraordinary lengths to make you, all the while looking at you over their shoulder to make sure you are watching!
The Intuition of Australian Cobberdogs, is possibly the feature that has made them most desired across the globe. They seek human eye contact and seem to gaze deeply into your soul, rather than look 'at' you. It is through this uncanny connection that they know how you are feeling emotionally or physically and adjust their own reaction accordingly.
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You are a dog trainer whether you realise it or not. Your Australian Cobberdog is watching you all the time, weighing up your weaknesses and strengths. And if you don't provide your new puppy with firm and consistent guidelines regarding what you expect from them when they are young, the roles will quickly be reversed until they are training you! |
Consistency is key. There is no point in allowing your puppy to jump up on you when it's small and cute, then being surprised when it's an adult and still jumps up on you.
Recommendation. I recommend that you sit down as a family BEFORE your puppy joins you and with paper and pen, and write down what the rules are in your house for your dog when it's an adult. This way, everyone will be on board and help one another if the rules are broken.
Recommendation. I recommend that you sit down as a family BEFORE your puppy joins you and with paper and pen, and write down what the rules are in your house for your dog when it's an adult. This way, everyone will be on board and help one another if the rules are broken.
Ways to Establish Your Leadership Role
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1. Always walk through a doorway or gateway first. Guide your puppy by using the leash at first, with the instruction - name first then "WAIT". Walk through the door or gate then 'invite' the puppy to come through using its name and the invitation 'come on'. Follow up with praise but not too effusive! Remember that praise is for encouragement. After all, you EXPECT your position of pack leader to be respected. (Don't you?)
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2. You and your family eat FIRST. In the wild, Leaders of the Pack eat first. So your puppy will instinctively relate to this habit. Puppy must wait patiently, without begging, until you have finished eating and are ready to feed him. If necessary, tether him with a blanket and toy until you are done eating. IGNORE any protests. But remember to reward with praise if he's been quiet until the end of your meal.
3. INSIST that your puppy has all four paws are on the ground BEFORE you pat him. This will instill in his mind that there is no point in jumping up at people because it brings no reward.
Cobberdogs Are Good with Kids
But the kids should be good with the puppy too!
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Cobberdogs make patient and kind playmates for kids.
Like all puppies, they will initially react wrongly to young children who squeal and run, flapping their arms about. Parents should supervise their children when they're with their new puppy to ensure that nipping or biting don't become an issue. |
A good rule that I suggest is that children under 10 must always sit down on the floor before holding or carrying their new puppy. Injuries to young puppies can happen when they wiggle suddenly out of a young child's grasp.
Pros
* The Ultimate Therapy Dog and family companion, wise and gentle
* Goofy fun nature, they love to make you laugh!
* Sensitive affectionate, loving, empathetic and respond intuitively to human emotion
* Sociable and non-aggressive, patient with children (children under 12 years should NEVER be left unsupervised with dogs.
* Intuitive, eager to please and thrive on training
* Seek a deep connection with human eyes (their way of discerning your emotions and state of health)
* No or minimal Shedding, No doggie smell even when wet
* Respond best to positive but firm and consistent training methods
* Three sizes - Miniature Medium and Standard
There should be no difference other than their size. I have heard that some breeders are saying that smaller sizes are not suitable as Therapy dogs due to higher energy levels. This should not be so.
Cons
* Can be too smart for their own good and need early training to reach their full potential. Consistent training for the first few months is essential from day one with such a smart and intuitive breed.
* They have an irrepressible sense of humor. It can be hard to be firm with a goofy clownlike puppy who loves to make you laugh! But firm you need to be.
* So intuitively in tune with your thoughts and emotions that until they have some training and know their place, they can be cute and loving one minute and attention seeking destructive brat children the next!
* Goofy fun nature, they love to make you laugh!
* Sensitive affectionate, loving, empathetic and respond intuitively to human emotion
* Sociable and non-aggressive, patient with children (children under 12 years should NEVER be left unsupervised with dogs.
* Intuitive, eager to please and thrive on training
* Seek a deep connection with human eyes (their way of discerning your emotions and state of health)
* No or minimal Shedding, No doggie smell even when wet
* Respond best to positive but firm and consistent training methods
* Three sizes - Miniature Medium and Standard
There should be no difference other than their size. I have heard that some breeders are saying that smaller sizes are not suitable as Therapy dogs due to higher energy levels. This should not be so.
Cons
* Can be too smart for their own good and need early training to reach their full potential. Consistent training for the first few months is essential from day one with such a smart and intuitive breed.
* They have an irrepressible sense of humor. It can be hard to be firm with a goofy clownlike puppy who loves to make you laugh! But firm you need to be.
* So intuitively in tune with your thoughts and emotions that until they have some training and know their place, they can be cute and loving one minute and attention seeking destructive brat children the next!
Finally, make sure that you really want a super intelligent dog!
Why I hear you say? Because they are the hardest puppies to raise. They learn the things you DON'T WANT, just as readily as they pick up on the things you do want. If you know you can't be firm and consistent, or you can't get the help of a trainer when you recognize your own too soft heart, please consider another breed.