11 reasons why the Australian Cobberdog is the ideal pet
The Australian Cobberdog is the perfect companion dog and top on the list as a therapy dog. It has all the qualities that one would want in a dog.
First, let us look at a bit of history
Cobber is an Australian word for best friend, which is what the Australian Cobberdog represents – a pal who is always there for you. The Cobberdog traces its origins to the Australian Labradoodle and is accepted as a pure breed in development by the MDBA (Master Dog Breeders and Associates) since 2012, and has its DNA sequence.
Let us see what makes the Australian Cobberdog the right choice for anyone looking for the perfect companion dog:
1. Loving and sociable
The Australian Cobberdog loves being around people, is trusting by nature and friendly to everyone, including other animals and even unknown people. It is almost always bubbling with excitement and cheerful without being hyper. One of its traits is to actively make eye contact with people as if to anticipate what the owner wants next.
2. Very intelligent and easy to train
A highly intelligent animal, the Australian Cobberdog is a fast learner and easy to teach, especially as it loves attention and is keen to please people.
3. Good with kids and elderly people
It has a gentle and affectionate nature and is sensitive to the needs of children and older adults. It is always happy to play with children or go out on a stroll.
4. Perfect for people with allergies
The Cobberdog is hypoallergenic; its coat is not hairy but fluffy or wooly and does not shed and is mostly safe for people with allergies.
5. Easy to care for
Nobody likes cleaning copious amounts of dog hair, and since the Australian Cobberdog does not shed, this is one item to strike off from your cleaning list. Cobberdogs enjoy human attention and companionship and love following people around even into the bathroom. However, if they have to be left alone during the day, they are capable of entertaining themselves with a toy or by simply staring outside.
6. Very perceptive
The Australian Cobberdog is an alert dog and sensitive to its owner’s emotions and body language. It can understand moods and even identify those who need care – a child, an older adult, or a person with special needs.
7. Gets along with other animals
The Australian Cobberdog’s pleasant, friendly, and gentle nature allows it to get along with other pets, including dogs, cats, birds, or rodents. It rarely if never gets into a fight as its natural tendency is to avoid conflicts. Due to its innate curiosity, it would want to play with other animals.
8. Adapts to any environment
The Australian Cobberdog adapts well to living either in the city or the countryside. It is also an apartment-friendly breed, and though it thrives on human companionship and attention, it is less likely to feel distressed when you have to leave them at home and go to work. It can cope well with new situations and can grow to be comfortable with city sounds.
9. Very playful
Apart from being even-tempered, affectionate, smart, and great with kids, the Australian Cobberdog is also extremely lively and loves to play. They enjoy games of fetch, tug, or just playing with children. The dog keeps itself busy with toys when left to itself and always finds a way to keep itself engaged without getting bored.
10. Non-aggressive
Australian Cobberdogs are laid back and non-aggressive. They are among breeds of dogs that are least likely to bite; in fact, they are peaceful by nature, and the urge to bite is almost zero. Even as puppies, they do not chew and destroy things around the house and are known to take care of their toys as well.
11. Quiet dogs
Australian Cobberdogs are also among dog breeds that bark the least. It doesn’t mean they cannot bark, but unwanted behavior such as demand or boredom barking is rare in this breed. Like any other dog, they may bark if surprised or out of sheer excitement during play.
Australian Cobberdog colors
There are two color varieties:
- Solid colors – raven, chocolate, red, caramel, chalk, and caramel ice
- Shaded colors – black, blue, blue merle, silver, gold, apricot cream, caramel cream, café, lavender, parchment and chocolate merle
There are three types of coats
- Fleece – Silky and light
- Wool – Grainy and dense
- Smooth – Fine hair and wool
Height and weight
- Miniature: 13-16 inches and 15-22lbs / 35-41 cms and 7-10 kg
- Small Medium: 16-18 inches and 22-35lbs/ 41-47 cms and 10-16 kg
- Medium: 18-22 inches and 35-48lbs / 47-56 cms and 14-22 kg
- Standard: over 22 inches and 48-88lbs / over 56 cms and 22-40 kg
Life expectancy
Between 13 – 15 years
Nutrition
Right nutrition and a balanced diet are essential for a healthy coat and to ensure the proper growth and overall health of your pet.
The Highlands Australian Cobberdogs, a breeder, based in Elizabeth Colorado, recommends a diet of premium quality grain-free kibble as well as a Raw Diet. However, they caution against giving kibble and raw diet in the same feeding.
However, make sure that your Cobberdog’s diet is not just limited to kibble; a diet of fresh and raw food is critical to ensure that your dog enjoys good health into old age.
Check out this video by well-known veterinarian Dr Karen Becker, where she highlights the importance of giving your dog more than just dry kibble.
Exercise
The Australian Cobberdog needs moderate exercise, such as a long daily walk. It is an intelligent dog and hence needs mental stimulation and the companionship of people to stay happy. The daily walk helps your dog to be mentally stable by releasing pent-up energy.
However, always remember that the dog should walk behind you or beside and never ahead of you. You need to be the pack leader, and when you allow the dog to lead you, it gets the feeling that he is leading you, and this can cause behavioral problems.
Grooming
- You don’t need to bathe the Cobberdog often
- Grooming is required once a month
- Brush the coat once a week, working your way from the bottom to the top and in layers. Always comb after brushing to ensure that there are no tangles.
- Brush the teeth once a week
- Keep the hair around the ears trimmed
- Clean ears once a week with an ear solution for dogs to prevent ear infections
Veterinary care
As a new breed, the Australian Cobberdog is strong and genetically among the healthiest dogs around. However, the ears of the Cobberdog need special attention and care. The floppy ears with hair around them prevent airflow and, as such, makes the breed susceptible to ear infections. As puppies, the breed also requires supplements to strengthen joints during the stages of rapid growth.
Role as therapy dogs
The Australian Cobberdog also has all the traits to be a perfect therapy or service dog. They are hypoallergenic, calm, tolerant, and non-aggressive. As it looks like a fluffy stuffed animal, it also comes across as attractive to even those who are afraid of dogs.
Here are the top reasons why the Australian Cobberdog is perfect for people with special needs:
- Peaceful nature and great patience
- Easy to train
- Hypoallergenic fur makes it suitable for people with allergies
- Ideal for therapy in hospitals or therapy centres that require high levels of hygiene as it doesn’t shed
- Good at understanding moods of people and emotional state
- Considerate character and not at all demanding
- Comes in 3 sizes and hence can accommodate different users and tasks
- Non-aggressive and avoids confrontation