Australian Cobberdog (Breed in Development)

The Australian Cobberdog has had the advantage of a core group of foundation breeders who have had as their primary focus the health and temperament of the dogs whilst striving toward their long term vision for the breed.

With our 21st Century advanced science and systems in communication and transportation this breed in development has had many advantages over the foundation breeders of past years who developed current recognised breeds.

The founders of this breed made many hard decisions to ensure the health, predictability of temperament, characteristics and management requirements of their breed have been optimised. They terminated bloodlines and discarded expensively purchased breeding stock if they were shown to produce unsound progeny. They have been able to eliminate and avoid many potential problems in the dogs they produce to limit the risks of the health of the dogs and the breed being compromised either now or into the future. Any dog,even if it has ancestors in common, or if it is bred by a founding Australian Cobberdog breeder,   which is not already registered in the MDBA Stud Registry must go through the approval process for inclusion into the gene pool from the 1st of January 2016 just as it would be if it were any other breed.Dogs which are accepted as an infusion may also have restrictions on how often they are able to be bred or what generation dogs they are able to be mated with. Breeders should not presume that any dog that is not already in the Australian Cobberdog gene pool will be automatically accepted as eligible for infusion.

The MDBA has an open stud book and to ensure that our registry is transparent and protects the integrity and health of this breed we have introduced mandatory and recommended registration requirements. These requirements were developed in association with the Australian Cobberdog parent club and the Australian Cobberdog Breed Advisory Committee. 

Any MDBA member who wishes to add to the stud registry a dog of unknown parentage, or a dog of another breed will be required to submit an application for approval and explain what they think this dog will add to the gene pool. Further details see below. This application will require approval from the MDBA Board and the board may request further photographs and information to determine the merit of the application.

All dogs to be used in the gene pool must be registered in the MDBA Foundation Registry prior to the mating. 

How to apply for approval of an infusion

This application must include particulars of the dog being considered for infusion and an explanation as to why the breeder feels this is something which will benefit the breed.

Use as much detail as possible.
The name of the dog being considered if known
The breed of the dog being considered if known
Why you think there is a need for an infusion
The desired outcome of the infusion
Why you think this infusion is the best for the desired outcome over any other
Possible potential advantages and disadvantages for the breed.
Brief description of your current and future breeding program if the infusion is approved.

Photographs of the dog from the front side and back 

Copy of the dogs pedigree 
Upon application the Breed Advisory committee may be asked to  consider the potential advantages and disadvantages for the breed.

The infusion application is then presented to the MDBA Board who will assess all information and will make the final decision.

Upon approval into the MDBA Foundation Registry as an infusion each dog will be graded on a case by case basis and restrictions may apply as to what dogs it is able to be mated to.

Submit your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Recommended Health screening for this breed. 

At least one parent should be cleared by DNA testing or by parentage for the following disorders:

• PRAprcd
• Exercise Induced Collapse 
  
• Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma (Wheaten Terrier Type)  
• Copper Toxicosis

Highly Recommended

Hip and Elbow X ray,

Heart and Eyes Cleared.

Recommended Trait Tests

Merle trait
Shedding trait
Curly coat trait
Long haired trait
Improper Coat Trait