Puppy Adoption Information
Here at HylandMyst Australian Cobberdogs, we are very selective about the homes our puppies go to. A lot of love, care and effort has gone into producing the most amazing young dogs and they deserve to go to homes where their traits are appreciated and fostered appropriately.
Home Environment
The Australian Cobberdog is bred and born to connect with human beings. This means they do not cope with being left alone for extended periods of time. If there will be noone home during workdays because of work and school, then you will need to look at a form of puppy/doggy daycare. They are constantly looking to connect and work with humans, so need access to humans pretty constantly.
Training and Grooming
The Australian Cobberdog coat has been bred to look and feel great, but it will require some grooming. Regular brushing/combing will be required. They will happily lay on the lounge next to you and allow this to all happen, so it doesn't have to be a big chore. Particularly in the first two years when their coat changes and matures, you will probably get matts forming if you are not grooming regularly and well.
These dogs are intelligent, and that is sometimes a problem if you don't use consistent early training. These dogs respond amazingly to gentle consistent positive training. We have started that process for you here at HylandMyst, and will give you information and YouTube links to continue that training so that your Australian Cobberdog puppy does not become a brat, but instead grows into a dog that everyone you meet will comment on and admire. Having said that, they WILL go through normal puppy stages of sharp teeth and claws, and regular naughty puppy behaviour like chewing as they discover their environment and challenge boundaries : just like all children!
So you need to be able to commit to regular training and regular grooming.
Exercise
Being intelligent dogs, these puppies need mental and physical stimulation appropriate to their age.
In the first year of life, their little bones are not even fully fused and connected so it is imperative that you limit jumping and extended lead walk and definitely running (ie, if you are a jogger or a bike rider and want this dog to go with you, then you will have to wait till their structure is fully developed to ensure no ligament and bone damage that could potentially lead to problems later in life). But lots of games and fun will allow them to develop to their full healthy potential.
Mental stimulation is imperative for these dogs. They need training as their main mental stimulation, but also need lots of games and interactions with you, your family and other people. They are social dogs.
Children and Australian Cobberdogs
We all dream of our kids learning about responsibility by taking on the duties of looking after a dog. The best way to allow that to happen is for the responsible adult to involve the children in everyday activities like feeding, exercise and training. But it is ALWAYS the responsibility of the adults of the household to ensure the puppy and dog is cared for and its needs are met. So if you, the adult, don't have the time or energy to take on this extra 'child' then maybe this dog is not for you.
Children, particularly small children, can also not understand the boundaries needed for puppies. So ensuring puppy has a safe place that is 'out of bounds' for children is essential to puppy feeling calm and secure, and getting enough sleep in its formative years. We recommend crate training or at least having a bed (or beds) that is expressly for the puppy and when she or he is there, children have to respect the puppy's/dog's space.
Allergies
Australian Cobberdogs are known for their low-allergy coats. But every dog is different. If you have allergies, and particularly severe allergies, then please let us know. We have successfully placed wonderful puppies with severely allergic people previously and are confident we can provide the right puppy just for you.
Diet
We agree that feeding your puppy and dog the best diet possible is essential to good growth and a long healthy life. These puppies have grown up on a diet that is a mix of the best quality prepared commercial food, great home-prepared raw food (vegetables, eggs, yoghurt and meat blended together) and raw meaty bones with minimal fat.