The Australian Cobberdog has been carefully developed by a committed group of foundation breeders, with health and temperament always as their top priority. Thanks to modern science, communication, and transport, the Cobberdog’s development has had huge advantages over the creation of older and recent traditionally recognised breeds. The breed’s founders made tough decisions to protect its future — including ending bloodlines and removing expensive breeding dogs that produced unsound offspring. This strict approach has helped eliminate many potential health and temperament issues, protecting both individual dogs and the breed as a whole. Any dog not already listed in the MDBA Australian Cobberdog Stud Registry must be individually assessed and approved before joining the gene pool. There are no automatic approvals — every dog must meet the breed’s strict standards.

Our Commitment to Health

Registration Requirements

The MDBA maintains an open but restricted stud book for the Australian Cobberdog, with strict rules to protect the breed’s health, integrity, and transparency.These rules have been developed with the MDBA  Australian Cobberdog Breed Advisory Group and MDBA-registered breeders.

Mandatory Health Testing

All Australian Cobberdogs must complete the following before breeding: Hip and Elbow X-rays (Using an approved service such as OFA, PennHIP, or MDBA Radiology) Annual Full Veterinary Health Check (Following MDBA criteria — including checks on eyes and heart) DNA Testing for Key Genetic Disorders At least one parent must be DNA clear (by testing or by parentage) for:All current relavant diseases that  can be tested for via DNA known to occur in the breed.

Additional Trait Testing Required

Merle Trait Undercoat Trait Shedding Trait Curly Coat Trait x2 Long-Haired Trait Improper Coat Trait A Healthy Future Every step taken by MDBA breeders is designed to ensure that the Australian Cobberdog remains healthy, sound, and true to its purpose — both today and for generations to come. Mandatory requirement and recommendation for MDBA-registered breeders is designed to protect the future of the Australian Cobberdog—ensuring it remains a healthy, sound, and purpose-driven breed. With continued commitment from ethical breeders and ongoing health monitoring, the Australian Cobberdog managed by the Master Dog Breeders and Associates is on a strong path toward long-term wellbeing, genetic integrity, and world wide recognition as a predictable, pure breed.