FAQs

There are 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 the breed has its own unique identity and well-defined characteristics that lend themselves to therapy and assistance including:
– sustained eye contact
– emotional warmth
– high intuition (reading human emotional states well)
– intelligence
– high aptitude for training
– a calm soothing nature

No, a Labradoodle is not an Australian Cobberdog.  The Labradoodle started off as an experimental hybrid in an effort to produce a non-shedding dog with a proven Labrador Retriever trainability for guide dog training, it was given the name Labra = Labrador and Oodle =Poodle.  Names like this have become known as crossbreed [hybrid] designer names such as Moodle, Goldendoodle, Spoodle, etc.  There was never an intention to develop any of them into a “breed “of dog.

The Labradoodle caught the attention of Mellodie from Tegans who decided to try and actually develop a pure breed with none of the health issues that the dog breeds she grew up with suffered from.  

In Mellodie’s own words ‘The huge mistakes I made allowed the Labradoodle to become very commercialised with puppy farm breeders and home breeders popping up all over the world.   Over 2 decades I worked on developing a new breed but never understood a designer name would never be accepted by the FIC or ANKC, nor did I understand that sharing as much of my experience including the other breeds I added to the Labrador/Poodle genetics would create a downward spiral.

Today’s Labradoodles have reverted back to little more than a designer cross breed, this means there is no genetic inherited consistency so each litter is a genetic lucky dip, some pups grow up to be wonderful and some not, in the exact same way as any other litter of cross pups. Clubs that give pedigrees and a club registry number popped up all over the world, this led to people believing it is a pure breed that “should” have consistency. The reality is that the Labradoodle is bred for fabulous looks and a wild variety of colours and patterns with no attention to genetic trait and temperament. There still remains 2 types of Labradoodle, some are only Labrador and Poodle mix and others are Australian Labradoodle that started with my original genetics and have since branched out adding several different types of Spaniels into the mix.’

In January 2012, the Australian Cobberdog was officially recognized as a Pure Breed in development by global Pure Breeds Registry, the MDBA . To safeguard the future of this developing pure breed, by monitoring and maintaining consistency and reliability the MDBA is now the only registry body in the world authorized to register Australian Cobberdogs and Cobberdog breeders.

The Australian Cobberdog has a recognized pedigree from the Australian MDBA.

Most current well-known dog breeds have only been accepted as pure breeds in the past couple of hundred years. They had to go through a ‘pure breed in development’ stage too and all well-known breeds were a combination of other breeds. A pure breed in the developing stage means breeders are working towards predictability within the breed, in temperament, health and appearance. There is the Pure Breeds Registry, the MDBA, overseeing the development of the breed and a single breed standard which we are all working towards. There are goals we need to reach before the breed will be determined to be a developed pure breed. 

Although Australian Cobberdogs may look similar to some other well-known breeds, it is important to note that they have their own stable DNA sequence that maintains its characteristics from generation to generation. This stability helps to predict the dog’s qualities, which is particularly important for breeding and ensuring the consistency of the breed. 

Dogs that are considered low-shedding typically have specific characteristics that contribute to this trait. Unlike other dog breeds Australian Cobberdogs have a hair coat that grows continuously, similar to human hair.

Responsible Cobberdog breeders have a comprehensive knowledge of their dogs’ shedding status. While most Australian Cobberdogs are low shedding, there may occasionally be a dog or two who tend to shed more than others in the litter.

It’s important to note that while Australian Cobberdogs are less likely to cause allergies, no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic, and individual reactions can vary. 

Australian Cobberdogs have a beautiful silky coat that falls in gentle waves. An adult Cobberdog requires a full groom around every 2 months, with brushing and minor clipping in between. Puppies will require hygiene trims (clipping around their bottom) every few weeks from around 8 weeks of age. 

Unlike breeds that shed, you will rarely find hair on your clothing or furniture. Ongoing brushing, combing and grooming will minimise tangles and mats that are often associated with low shedding dogs.

Cobberdogs need regular exercise and plenty of mental stimulation. The amount of exercise and stimulation your dog requires will depend on its size, age, overall health and time it spends interacting with humans or other dogs.  Cobberdogs are very intelligent and respond really well to challenges and puzzles. By providing opportunities for your dog to work hard for treats, you will reduce the likelihood of destructive behaviours that often stem from boredom. 

Cobberdogs are very intelligent and thrive when trained from a young age. It is the responsibility of the owner to pursue the training required for a specific role with a qualified trainer when the puppy has reached an appropriate age. Puppies will be puppies and like any other breed they can be naughty so training is highly recommended. If you have a specific role in mind for your puppy, please provide us with as much information as possible so we can try to match you up with the most suitable puppy. Australian Cobberdogs learn very quickly, so consistency in training is key, and should continue well into adulthood.

The Australian Cobberdog was specifically bred to excel in assistance and therapy work.  The founding objective was to have the optimum characteristics necessary to fulfil therapy and assistance roles. Since its breeding in the 1980s, no other breed has demonstrated such an exceptional ability to adapt to this type of work.

A remarkable traits of the Australian Cobberdog is its intelligence and eagerness to please its owner. It is also known for its propensity to catch the eye of a person, making it an ideal candidate for therapy sessions that involve eye contact.

The Australian Cobberdog possesses all the qualities required for a therapy or assistance dog. Its temperament is calm, it is tolerant of all types of people, patient with those who may handle it roughly and it never shows aggression.

The Australian Cobberdog is often compared to that of a teddy bear, which makes it highly appealing to people, even those who are afraid of dogs. Its long, soft, and low to non-shedding coat comes in many colours, making it suitable for therapy sessions related to the senses. The breed’s unique appearance and gentle temperament make it an excellent choice for a therapy or assistance dog.

Yes. We are registered with the MDBA, membership number 24246. To confirm Three Bridges Cobberdogs are genuine, please contact the MDBA on ​info@mdba.net.au to verify us.