Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a summary of short answers from our web pages, for frequently asked questions about Cobberdogs.  Email us if you don't find the answer you are looking for, and we will respond as soon as we can.


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What is an Australian Cobber Dog?

The Australian Cobberdog is a gentle, friendly low-shedding allergy-free dog.  It was carefully and purposely bred to be suitable for people with special needs.

This selective breeding has preserved traits that support the original vision of the founders (Tegan & Rutland) for an excellent /low-allergy/allergy-free, companion dog. People with allergies were previously unable to have dogs, but now may do well with a Cobberdog.

Cobberdogs have an intuitive ability to feel the emotions of those close to them. They “feel” the presence of sickness, sadness and joy, and respond by cuddling up, playing or just staying close. Cobberdogs actually make eye contact to connect with you, and will even respond to your expressions and body language. Together these qualities make the Australian Cobberdog a very “special” companion.

Do Cobberdogs shed their coats?

Cobberdog coats are low-shedding, and therefore very allergy friendly.

What is the Cobberdog coat fibre?

Cobberdog coats are not hair texture.  Instead, the coat comprises natural fibre that has greater moisture content and light reflection than hair.  This means that it feels silky and soft to touch, and has a shiny, fine, silky appearance.  The coat fibres gather and hang in groups that are called staples.
Most coat colours are light reflective and free of doggy odour.

Gorgeous silken coat fibres

What types of coats do Cobberdogs have?

The Australian Cobberdog coat description and characteristics were derived from the Angora goat! 
We breed two types of coats in our Australian Cobberdogs; fleece and wool. These different coat types have slightly different appearances. 
All coats are low-shedding, and allergy friendly. All coats need brushing to be kept free from tangling and matting, and for all we recommend regular clipping.

FLEECE COATS are silky fine and feel light to touch. The coat gathers into soft clusters called staples that hang in gentle waves and swirls.

WOOL COATS  As we have progressed more to the breed standard, we don't get very many pure wool coats which are a bit coarser because the fibres are thicker, and more dense because the curls are tightly packed. What we do get is the curly fleece which is still non-shedding, and hypo-allergenic. The fibres of the wool coat hang in beautiful spiral clusters. 

Each coat type provides different benefits for the owners; you'll find all the details about Cobberdog coats here on our Cobberdog Coats page.

Fleece coat cobberdog
Loose wavy staples of the Fleece Coat
wool coat Cobberdog
Beautiful wool spirals
Cobberdog coats
Gorgeous silken Cobberdog fibre

What size are Australian Cobberdogs?

There are four sizes of Cobberdogs.  Measurement is taken from the ground next to the paw to top of the shoulder blades (wither), with the dog standing straight on a level surface.  There is no 'toy' size in Cobberdogs.  Read more about size and growth here.

The Miniature   35-41 cms and  7-10 kg  /  13-16 inches and 15-22lbs
The Small Medium   41-47 cms and 10-16 kg  / 16-18 inches and 22-35lbs
The Medium   47-56 cms and 14-22 kg  / 18-22 inches and 35-48lbs
The Standard  over 56 cms and 22-40 kg  / over 22 inches and 48-88lbs

Cobberdog sizes
These Cobberdogs are L-R Small Medium, Miniature and Medium.

What temperament do Cobberdogs have?

Cobberdogs should be totally non-aggressive, extremely intuitive, sociable, comical, joyful and energetic when free to be. The Cobberdog is a 'medium prey drive dog' which makes them easy to train. They possess an ability to feel the physical and emotional state of the people they are close to. This ability to feel is what has made the Australian Cobberdog an excellent animal for people with special needs.  They are purpose-bred and well suited to be therapy dogs, assistance dogs, hearing and seizure alert dogs.

Are Cobberdogs good Assistance Dogs?

As seen above in temperament, the Cobberdog's characteristic of empathy gives it ability to intuitively feel the emotional and physical state of people they are close to.  Because of this, the Australian Cobberdog is an excellent pet for people with special needs.  They are purpose-bred and well suited to be therapy dogs, assistance dogs, hearing and seizure alert dogs.

Assistance Cobberdog
Ridgy Didge Assistance Dog in training

What colours do Cobberdogs have?

There are two color groups in the Cobberdog breed, the solid and the shaded. 

The solid colour group are an even colour all over. They are raven, chocolate, red, caramel, chalk and caramel ice.

The shaded colour group have a blend of tones. They are black, blue, blue merle, silver, gold, apricot cream, caramel cream, cafe, lavender, parchment and chocolate merle.

It is normal that all coats may show sun bleaching which can lighten the color.

 

Different Cobberdog coat colours

Do Cobberdogs come with a Pedigree?

All true Australian Cobberdogs have full pedigree registered with the MDBA.

Ridgy Didge Cobberdogs follows the MDBA's pedigree registration requirements.  We keep accurate DNA records and  all Ridgy Didge breeding dogs are thoroughly health tested, including Penn Hip Xrays of hips and elbows.  Any pups planned for breeding, who's genetic and health screening results don't meet our standard, do not proceed to our breeding program.  Every Ridgy Didge breeding dog has a profile page on our website where you can see their genetic and health screening results. Ultimately, you can be confident that we do as much as possible to give you a healthy pup with a lovely temperament.

Master Dog Breeders and Associates Logo

What is included in the cost of a Ridgy Didge Cobberdog puppy?

Our breeding program ensures that our puppies are the very highest standard of health, characteristics and behavioural traits.  They are bred with love, attention and the very best care.  We do extensive DNA testing of breeding dogs, and hip and elbow scores, to ensure our pups will have the best chance of being free from problems.  We do not discount our puppies, so our prices are firm. The purchase price for a Ridgy Didge Cobberdog that is picked up between 8 and 9 weeks includes all of the following:

  • comprehensive vet check
  • vaccination appropriate for age
  • microchipping
  • worming program as advised by veterinarian
  • MDBA registration certificate

For more details of current puppy prices and the process of applying for adoption, contact us at Ridgy Didge and we will send you an application package.

 

DNA assured healthy Ridgy Didge Cobberdog Pup