Meet Hope: The Cobberdog in Our Assistance Dog Program

🐾 Meet Hope: The Cobberdog in Our Assistance Dog Program

Meet Hope, the newest addition to my assistance dog training program. Hope is a Cobberdog, a breed we don’t often see—and her arrival has sparked quite a bit of interest.

Hope, the Cobberdog

Given that Cobberdogs are still relatively unknown or misunderstood by the general public (and even among some professionals), I thought I’d take a moment to share a little more about them: where they come from, what makes them unique, and why they're such a promising choice for assistance and therapy roles.

🐶 What is a Cobberdog?

The Australian Cobberdog is a purpose-bred dog developed specifically to be an assistance, therapy, and companion animal. Unlike Labradoodles or other 'oodle' mixes, the Cobberdog is being cultivated as a pure breed in development, with a consistent temperament, structure, and coat type.

The name “Cobberdog” comes from the Australian slang word “cobber”, meaning mate or friend—a fitting name for a dog whose primary role is to support, comfort, and serve humans.

🌱 A Breed with a Purpose

Cobberdogs were created with a clear goal: to offer a predictable, emotionally attuned, and allergy-friendly dog ideally suited for service work. They originated from the Australian Labradoodle lines, but due to the wide variability and inconsistent breeding in the Labradoodle world, a group of breeders decided to refine and formalise the line into something more structured—thus, the Cobberdog was born.

These dogs are now carefully bred for:

• Emotional sensitivity and human connection

• High trainability and focus

• Low-shedding, low-dander coats

• Gentle, calm temperaments suitable for public access and therapeutic environments

They are not simply Labradoodles under a new name—Cobberdogs are a distinct breed recognised by the Master Dog Breeders and Associates (MDBA) and are on the path to full breed recognition.

🧠 Why Cobberdogs Shine in Assistance Roles

Hope, like many well-bred Cobberdogs, exhibits a natural attunement to human emotion. These dogs are often described as intuitive, grounded, and eager to connect, which makes them ideal for working alongside individuals with:

• Autism

• PTSD

• Anxiety or depression

• Physical disabilities

Hope and her handler

They are responsive without being reactive, and they tend to adapt well to busy environments when properly socialised. In our first sessions with Hope, it’s already clear that she’s observant, calm, and quick to learn—all excellent signs of a dog suited for support work.

🧥 The Low-Allergen Advantage

While no dog is truly “hypoallergenic,” Cobberdogs come close. Their fleece or curly coats are low-shedding and often more tolerable for people with allergies. Regular grooming is necessary to prevent matting and keep their coats healthy, but for many families or individuals who need an assistance dog and suffer from allergies, the Cobberdog offers a perfect middle ground.

👣 What Training a Cobberdog Involves

Training a Cobberdog isn’t dramatically different from other breeds used in service work, but there are a few key things we focus on due to their temperament:

1. Confidence Building

Cobberdogs can be sensitive and deeply emotionally connected. This makes them ideal for support roles, but it also means they benefit from carefully graded exposure and encouragement in novel situations.

2. Low-Arousal, High-Focus Work

They thrive on clear, consistent reinforcement and respond best to positive reinforcement-based methods.

3. Emotional Intelligence Shaping

We nurture their natural ability to notice and respond to changes in human emotion. This often means allowing them to develop their own interpretations of what their handler needs, while we guide them toward structured responses.

🧬 A Breed in Development

It’s important to understand that the Cobberdog is still considered a developing breed, which means ethical, purpose-driven breeding is vital. Not all breeders marketing “Cobberdogs” are working within the MDBA or prioritising assistance-dog-friendly temperaments. If you're considering a Cobberdog for therapy or service work, I highly recommend sourcing from a reputable MDBA-registered breeder with proven lines for temperament, structure, and health.

💛 Final Thoughts

Hope’s journey is just beginning, but she already embodies so many of the traits that make Cobberdogs exceptional. In a field where the right dog can change someone’s life, it’s exciting to work with a breed that has been purpose-bred to do exactly that.

If you’re curious about whether a Cobberdog might be suitable for assistance or therapy work, or if you’d like help finding a reputable breeder or starting a training plan, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to guide you through the process.

Welcome to the team, Hope—you’re already making a difference.