Australian Cobberdog
The Australian Cobberdog is a friendly dog with a low-shedding, low odor allergy friendly coat. The Cobberdog was bred to be a companion pet for all. It's size and allergy friendly coat that doesn't shed makes it perfect for almost any setting. Cobberdogs also have a that intuitive ability to feel emotions and return them as well. They train well and learn fast. The Australian Cobberdog is truly a marvelous dog.
"Animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language"
- Martin Buber -
The Australian Cobberdog is it’s own unique breed and importantly, the breed characteristics of the Australian Cobberdog include;
- strong human focus
- emotional warmth
- high intuition/intelligence
- a high aptitude for training
- eye contact that draws you in
- playful sense of humor
- low/no shed, low allergy coat
Referencing: Australiancobberdogs.com.au
History of the Breed
History of the Australian Cobberdog
The Australian Cobberdog is an Australian Breed which has been developed over decades of infusions and timely combinations of at least 22 breeds. As a result The Australian Cobberdog has some ancestors in common with many different breeds.
The two original founders of the breed, Beverly Rutland Manners [Rutland] and Mellodie Woolley [Tegan ] took the original concept of using the mixing of breeds [originally a Labrador X Poodle]
which was a failed experiment trialed and abandoned by the Guide Dogs Association, to new horizons to gain their desired outcome.
Many hard decisions to ensure the health, predictability of temperament, characteristics and management requirements of their breed have been optimised. The goal was the creation of a breed that was non shedding, allergy friendly with a non-aggressive, easily trainable nature. Several generations passed before an infusion was considered a success or failure to help take them to their goal. Even though the two founders had the same goal from the outset, each worked for some time on their own individual breeding programs and sporadically combined bloodlines.
They used a core group of dogs selected from the best of what was produced from the years of the two original founders breeding Authentic Australian Labradoodle blood stock plus uniquely suitable infusions. These were selected for the inclusion into the modern gene pool, to develop the Australian Cobberdog and bring it to where it is today in its journey toward purebred recognition. The continuing development of the Australian Cobberdog provides a great example of how modern science can be best utilised to achieve a recognisable, predictable breed which has been given every chance at good health, with ample genetic diversity and quality of a long life.
The Australian Cobberdog continues in its journey toward reaching the necessary criteria to attain official breed recognition by dedicated foundation breeders, who have as their primary focus, the health and temperament of the dogs whilst striving toward the long term vision for the breed. Part of that vision is their commitment to breeding dogs that will meet the breed standard.
With our 21st Century advanced science, including DNA testing, and electronic systems in communication and transportation the development of this breed has many advantages over the foundation breeders of past years who developed currently recognized breeds.
The original founders and modern breeders have made, and continue to make, many hard decisions to ensure the health, predictability of temperament, characteristics and management requirements of their breed are optimized. They have been able to eliminate and avoid many potential problems in the dogs they produce which limit the risks to the health of the dogs and to reduce the possibility of the breed being compromised either now or into the future.
Referencing:
australiancobberdogs.com.au/
Breed Standard
1.General Impression
A gracefully athletic and balanced dog, free of exaggeration, with a luxurious non-shedding, odorless coat. They are generally recognized by furnishings with the “groomed look” a fresh rounded appearance rather than droopy. Their innate desire and aptitude for training, is expressed through their sociable, joyful and friendly nature. They have a desire for close human companionship and an instinct to seek intimate eye to eye contact
2. Temperament
Even tempered, trusting, happy, loyal, confident and sociable, eager to please, observant, and adapts well to new situations and environments. Easily trained but can appear to be stubborn when confused. Full of vitality, energy and playfulness with clown like behaviour when free but subdued and gentle when handled. Has the ability to make the humans in its life feel that it has a unique intuition, a mutual connection and that it can display an appropriate response to their emotional and physical needs. The Australian Cobberdog is easy to live with, an ideal family member and an excellent emotional support companion for those with special needs.
3. Size
The Australian Cobberdog is a breed in development and the sizes can be inconsistent. It is difficult at this time for even the most experienced breeder to accurately predict the size a puppy will grow to.
Miniature:
Over 33 cm and No Taller than 42 cm
Medium:
Over 42 cm and No Taller than 51 cm
Standard:
Over 51 cm and No Taller than 61 cm
4. The Body
Free from exaggerations. Top line should remain level with strong loin and slightly sloping croup. Ribs should be well sprung but not barrelled. Overall the dog should appear square, balanced, athletic, and with good muscling. Tuck up is sufficient to enable the hind legs to reach well forward beneath the body when gaiting. The croup only slightly tapers to the set on of tail.
4.1 Forequarters
Shoulders should have good angulation with firm elbows held close to the rib cage. Chest neither broad nor narrow, with brisket level with the point of elbow. Angulation of the shoulders is symmetrical to that of the femur and tibia bones in the hindquarters, with sufficient slope to allow maximum extension of the front limbs when trotting. The point of shoulder is in line with the pro sternum. Upper arms are evenly muscled, with elbows neither pinched into the sides nor protruding. Front legs are parallel to one another and straight to the ground with no deviation whether viewed from the front or the side. Cannons are strong and straight and only slightly longer than the pasterns.
4.1.1. Feet
Compact, either round or oval, with thick pads, well arched toes and short strong nails. Dewclaws are permitted on the front feet.
4.2. Hindquarters
Medium angulation with strong hocks. Angulation of the femur and tibia bones is symmetrical to that of the scapula and humerus bones in the shoulders with sufficient slope to allow a long reaching propelling stride from the hind feet, which commences well forward beneath the body of the dog.
4.2.1. Thighs
Upper thighs are broad, tapering only slightly into the second thigh. When viewed from the rear, the thighs are in a direct line behind the forearms of the front legs and are free of bowing or curvature.
4.2.2. Stifles
Length is similar to that between point of elbow and pastern joint on the forequarters with sufficient angulation to smoothly transmit impulsion from the rear of the dog through to the front limbs.
4.2.3. Hocks
Close to the same length as the pasterns on the forequarters. Hocks are parallel to one another and straight to the ground when viewed from the rear or the side.
4.2.4. Tail
The tail should be plumed and sabre shaped. It should follow the top line when at rest. The last two thirds may be above the dog’s back when excited or in movement but should not curl completely over the back. Tip should not touch the back nor curl upon itself.
4.2.5. Feet
Compact with thick pads, well arched toes and short strong nails. No dewclaws on hind feet
4.3. Neck
Elegant, with firm skin and a gentle arch. Neither long nor short. Flows naturally into the withers on the top, and down into the point of sternum on the underside without the appearance of being ‘stuck on’.
4.4. Head
Slightly square, free from exaggerations and in proportion to the size of the dog. Length from tip of nose to the inner corner of the eyes only slightly shorter than from the inner corner of the eyes to the point of the occiput. Nasal bones are broad and flat, with frontal bones a similar width to the side bones which have flat muscling giving a sculptured appearance. Skull gently rounded and of similar width to the frontal bones of the face with furnishings.
4.4.1. Stop
Blunt but well defined with a very slightly indented brow between the eyes.
4.4.2. Eyes
A distinct feature. Expression of the eyes is open, gentle, soulful, confident, and friendly with a sparkle of fun. Preferred shape is oval, with long sweeping eyelashes and set well apart but not to the extreme side of the head. Expression and seeking intimate contact with human eyes is more important than exact shape.
4.4.3. Muzzle
More broad than narrow, but not to excess. Lips firmly fitting and rims lined with unbroken pigment.
4.4.4. Bite
Scissor bite
4.4.5. Nose
A Distinct Feature. Noticeably large and fleshy with open nostrils and rich unbroken pigment. Broken pigment is non-desirable.
4.4.6. Ears
Drop ears with long silky furnishings and a slightly elevated set-on at the base, which is even with or only slightly above the outside corner of the eyes. Leather fine and pliable, with its tip at least mid-way down the face, when gently drawn forward should reach the top canine tooth but not extending below the nose. Furnishings may extend below this point. Ear canals free from thick hair and of an average width rather than narrow. When inquisitive and alert the ear set should rise to the top of the head. Ear leather reaching beyond the tip of nose is considered a severe fault.
5. Coat
As the genetic values stabilize the ideal is soft, luxurious and smooth textured wavy or curly fleece, single coat [no undercoat]. Very low to no shedding with very low to no odour. Visual wavy coat with furnishings most preferred.
A dense rough feeling wool coat and a flat coat with no furnishings are highly undesirable
6. Colours
All colours are acceptable. Pigment should be solid. Butterfly or Parti Nose not desirable.
7. Gait
This breed’s movement is characterised by a joyous bearing, with a light footed, airy and tireless, long reaching and effortless stride that appears to float above the ground and to be going somewhere with purpose.
The full trot is a true two-time action with no sign of ambling or pacing and the hocks do not wobble or bump together when viewed from the rear but move directly forward in line with the front legs.
Seen from the side, in a trot or a gallop the topline remains level with a minimum of up and down movement and the head and neck are extended rather than being unduly raised. Each of the four legs steps forward long and low without dishing or plaiting.
Prancing mincing or high stepping are non-desirable.
8. Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded must be taken in consideration of its potential impact and effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and the breed. Consideration must also be given to the dog’s ability to carry out the functions for which the breed is intended.
Referencing:
australiancobberdogs.com.au/