Grooming and Trimming
The average Australian Cobberdog needs a trim about three times a year. This can be done at home without going to a salon. There are so many cheap clippers on the market that the only recommendation I make is that you choose 1) Cordless and 2) whisper quiet.
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Australian Cobberdogs, (ACDs) do not shed (or should not). Other dogs get rid of old hairs by moulting when they change from their puppy coats to their adult ones or change seasons. Australian Cobberdogs do not, because they don't moult.
This means that in order to stay matt free, they need to be thoroughly brushed regularly especially during the change from puppy coat to adult, which occurs from around ten months of age and lasts for roughly two months. The correct and efficient way to brush is shown in videos further on down on this page. |
Moisture means matts.
The purpose of brushing is to separate the strands of fleece (means the Cobberdog's "hair") and to air it out. This is why so many people run into trouble when they glide too gently over the top of their dog's coat. Another reason, is using the wrong sort of brush.
The bristles need to be fine and very close together and preferably bent at the ends. My personal favourite is the Millers Forge Doggyman, with the distinctive blue ring around the handle in the illustration. And no, I don't get any kind of kickback for recommending it.
The bristles need to be fine and very close together and preferably bent at the ends. My personal favourite is the Millers Forge Doggyman, with the distinctive blue ring around the handle in the illustration. And no, I don't get any kind of kickback for recommending it.
Before You Start
Make sure your Cobberdog is up off the ground, preferably in a corner. Believe me, it's a lot easier. If you don't own a grooming table no worries. Get creative! Top of your washing machine is fine, or even a laundry or kitchen bench. The main aim is to get your dog or puppy out of their comfort zone, which is on the ground. This way, you're at an immediate advantage and your dog knows it and is less likely to try and escape if there's been previous bad experiences.
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The stainless steel comb is used for areas around the face and ears and to clean off the brush when it gets full of fluff. The brushes come in different sizes for small and large dogs. On one end of the comb, the prongs are finer and closer together than the other end.
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Many clippers come with easy snap-on attachments.
When the attachments are put on the clippers, the affect is that some cut the hair close, and others cut it longer. The attachments are usually plastic and are easy to get on and off the clippers. There is no need to remove the clipper blade when you want to attach an attachment. |
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There are a variety of scissors you might find useful. From left to right in the picture, are: Straight Thinning shears (for blending the coat to prevent "cut looking" edges. Curved with blunt ends And of course the comb. |
Remember too, that if you're left-handed, you'll need to ask specifically for "lefties" in scissors!
You'll notice that I haven't gone into bathing here. The Australian Cobberdog rarely needs a bath even when they're covered in mud or something else smelly. Leave them to dry naturally and they'll dry pristine clean with no smell! In fact the more frequently you bathe them, the more likely you are to set up a self-perpetuating cycle. The more you bathe them the more they need it. Here's a rough sketch of your trim.
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An area that needs an extra trim now and then is between the eyes. The facial coat grows quite quickly here and may prick their eyes if not kept short. It's just another part of their grooming procedure and after the 1st couple of times they just accept that as 'old hat'.
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Something that's always intrigued me is that once electric clippers are used anywhere on your Cobberdog, the coat often grows back more curly than it was before. Don't ask me why this is, I just know that it often does! This is why I've included the directions on how to scissor cut in case that's what you want to do. But for now:
The angle that the scissors are held really matters. It truly does!
The legs
First brush the leg hair upwards out of the way (figure 1)
Next, trim the paw out both sides with scissors or clippers (figure 2)
Then brush the coat neatly down to cover the paws (figure 3) and trim around the foot level with the floor.
Next, trim the paw out both sides with scissors or clippers (figure 2)
Then brush the coat neatly down to cover the paws (figure 3) and trim around the foot level with the floor.
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The Throat and Jaw
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Clippers are easiest here. Clip a channel (suggest size 15 blade) all the way around from underneath one ear to the ear on the other side (figure 2)
Join up the channel from the centre underneath the dog's throat. This makes a "T Intersection.
Join up the channel from the centre underneath the dog's throat. This makes a "T Intersection.
The Ears
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The undersides of the ear flaps should be clipped short (recommend a size 15 clipper blade). Spread the ear flap across one hand and clip away!
The fringes usually grow a lot further than the edges of the ear leather, so one way to make them neat is to glide the clippers across your palm. This promotes air flow and stops canker and other ear nasties in their tracks. Only needs to be done maybe three times per year. |
The Top of Head and the cheeks
Now is where you can become creative! Ever noticed how the human hairdresser holds up strands of hair in a comb then cuts them straight across? You can do it on your dog too.This is the SECRET to getting that ruffled appearance on your Cobberdog's top of head. All you have to remember, is to pull the hair straight out from the head and to cut straight across. It doesn't matter in which direction. That's it!
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And now the Body in case you want to scissor it.
This is where you use the CURVED scissors.
And you brush first, layer by layer until it's nice and fluffy then you cut UPWARDS following the curve of your dog's body. |
Figure 2 above, shows what is meant by layer by layer. It's described clearly in the video. Grab and hold...with one hand, then brush downwards with the other hand dragging down a few hairs with the brush.
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Finally, NEVER bath your dog before you take him/her to the groomer or do it yourself. The water will set any tangles or matts like concrete and you or your groomer will have no option other than to shave off your Cobberdog like a rabbit!
If you "Have to bath" (and I hope you don't) brush thoroughly FIRST. THEN SHAMPOO AND DRY TOO WITH A DOWNWARD SQUEEZING MOTION. Scrubbing in the usual circular motion WILL matt the adult coat.
If you "Have to bath" (and I hope you don't) brush thoroughly FIRST. THEN SHAMPOO AND DRY TOO WITH A DOWNWARD SQUEEZING MOTION. Scrubbing in the usual circular motion WILL matt the adult coat.
Brushing Technique
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The tailbone is an extension 0f the spine. So there are lots of sensitive nerve endings all the way along it. This is why so many dogs hate their tails being brushed. It's very painful if the tailbone isn't held and this is also why so many dogs hate being brushed at all, because they know what's coming.
But now you know. don't you! |
Finally, we come to the FACE.
The Australian Cobberdog is still a developing breed at time this is written, in 2026. Not every breeder has 'set the type' in their Cobberdogs yet, so face shapes can be somewhat different across the board. These photos will depict what is correct, so you mightn't get the same result in your own dog.
The desired shape is somewhat round like the ruffled petals of a chrysanthemum flower. So those long droopy old man type jowls and sideburns are out, definitely!
Ohh, and never ever allow anyone to cut your Cobberdog's eyelashes. As well as being a feature of the breed, they serve the purpose of forming a 'platform' to help keep out strands of coat which may prick and damage their eyes.
The desired shape is somewhat round like the ruffled petals of a chrysanthemum flower. So those long droopy old man type jowls and sideburns are out, definitely!
Ohh, and never ever allow anyone to cut your Cobberdog's eyelashes. As well as being a feature of the breed, they serve the purpose of forming a 'platform' to help keep out strands of coat which may prick and damage their eyes.
ADULT
ARROWS SHOW THE AREA NEEDS CLIPPING
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PUPPY
PUPPY HEAD PROFILE
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ADULT
YOUNG PUPPY SHOWING EYELASHES
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Turn Up Your Sound. There are lots of tips in the conversation.
How to Handle and Trim a Young Puppy. Use your own body to support your puppy and give it confidence.