I’m currently on a sit in Tasmania looking after a dog breed I’ve never heard of and wanted to share it with you.
Say g’day to the Australian Cobberdog.
“Cobber” is Australian slang for “friend,” making the name translate literally to “dog-friend”.
The Australian Cobberdog originated in Australia in response to a growing need for a specialist breed with a low- to non-shedding coat and a therapy/service dog-type temperament. Unlike many breeds established for form or function alone, the Australian Cobberdog was envisioned a breed that could meet specific needs in emotional support, assistance, and therapeutic work, while also being allergy-friendly, rather than a casual companion pet.
An Australian Cobberdog is not a simple two-breed mix, but a purposefully developed, multi-generational pure breed that originated from the Australian Labradoodle and incorporated a few other specific breeds to stabilize its temperament and coat. The lineage of the Australian Cobberdog is built from a combination of:
- Labrador Retriever
- Poodle (Standard, Miniature, and/or Toy)
- Cocker Spaniel (English and American)
- Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier (added later to refine the coat and temperament)
It was officially recognised as a distinct pure breed in development by the Master Dog Breeders and Associates (MDBA) in 2012. www.australiancobberdogs.com
While it may look similar to a Labradoodle, this website explains the Differences between the Labradoodle and Cobberdog | DOGKING
My sit dog is a medium to large boy with lots of energy when we are out walking, he loves the beach and chasing a ball. He is people and dog friendly. He is happy to laze around near me after his walks but is not a “velcro” dog. He does not demonstrate any separation anxiety and can be left for 2-3 hours. He is a real joy to be with.
