Care of the Australian Cobberdog

Australian Cobberdogs are a high-grooming breed, particularly if you choose to keep their fleece coat long. Their coat is very low shedding, which means loose hair tends to remain trapped within the coat rather than falling onto the floor. Without regular brushing, that trapped hair can quickly form mats.

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The good news is that with the right tools and a regular routine, keeping your Cobberdog looking beautiful is very manageable.

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Coat Care

Cobberdogs need a thorough brush through to the skin at least once a week, commonly called line brushing. A quick brush over the surface isn't enough, as mats often begin close to the skin where they can easily be missed.

 

We recommend using a long-pin slicker brush followed by a metal comb to check that you can comb freely from the skin through to the ends of the coat and a good quality grooming spray.

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Pay particular attention to the areas most likely to mat:

• behind and underneath the ears

• under the chin

• armpits

• inside the legs

• collar and harness areas

• around the genitals and sanitary areas

A clean, well-conditioned and properly dried coat is considerably easier to maintain than a dirty or dehydrated coat.

 

Our usual grooming routine:

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Weekly: Thorough line brush and comb.

Every 3 weeks: Bath, condition/hydrate and thoroughly blow-dry the coat. Tidy the eyes and check nails, ears, paw pads and hygiene areas.

Approximately every 6 weeks: Full groom or clip.

 

Owners wanting to maintain a particularly long coat should expect to brush more frequently.

 

Ear Care

Ear care is particularly important for Cobberdogs.​  Their drop ears and heavy coat can trap warmth and moisture, and Cobberdogs commonly grow hair inside the ear canal. This hair can restrict airflow and create an environment where ear problems are more likely to develop.

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Excess hair within the ear canal needs to be removed as part of regular grooming, and the ears should be checked and cleaned periodically with an appropriate ear cleaner.​  We also like to remove some of the heavier hair from underneath the ear flap to improve airflow while retaining the beautiful natural appearance of the outer ear.

 

At Lovelocks we use Epi-Otic ear cleaner.  Redness, odour, discharge, persistent scratching or head shaking isn't normal grooming maintenance and should be checked by your veterinarian.

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Feet & Nails

Nails should be trimmed regularly and kept short enough that they don't interfere with the dog's natural movement. We trim the nail and then use a grinder to smooth the edges.

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Hair between and underneath the paw pads should also be clipped regularly. Overgrown paw hair reduces grip on smooth surfaces and can collect dirt and moisture.

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If you're unsure how to trim nails safely, ask your groomer or veterinarian to show you.

 

The Lovelocks Teddy Bear Clip - There is no official Australian Cobberdog clip.

One of the things we love most about the breed is its gorgeous soft fleece falling in gentle waves. At Lovelocks, we prefer a natural teddy bear style rather than a heavily sculpted look.  We keep the body manageable while retaining more coat through the legs, face and tail.  And because not every family wants the same amount of maintenance, we use two variations.

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With Skirt

Our fuller Lovelocks look. The body is shortened while retaining a longer skirt and fuller legs, with everything carefully blended so the coat flows naturally.

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Without Skirt

Our easier-maintenance version. The skirt is removed and the underneath of the body kept shorter, while retaining the fuller legs, natural tail and soft teddy bear face that give the Cobberdog its characteristic appearance.

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Not sure what to ask your groomer for?

 

We've created a visual Lovelocks clipping guide showing both styles, including clipper lengths, blending areas, legs and paws, face, ears, tail and sanitary trim.

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Grooming Your Cobberdog at Home

You don't need professional grooming equipment just to maintain your Cobberdog between appointments — but the right brush and comb make an enormous difference.

We've put together a simple guide to what you'll need, from the basic tools every Cobberdog family should own through to clippers, scissors and dryers for owners wanting to groom completely at home.

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What We Use at Lovelocks

After grooming a lot of Cobberdogs over the years, we've certainly developed some favourites.

We've put together the brushes, combs, shampoos, conditioners, coat products, ear care and grooming equipment we personally use and recommend for our dogs.

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Start Young

Good grooming habits start with puppies.  Lovelocks puppies are introduced to brushing, handling, feet and nail care, clippers and grooming equipment before they leave us. We encourage families to continue these experiences regularly at home — even when your puppy doesn't actually need grooming.

 

A puppy who learns that having their feet held, ears checked, coat brushed and body handled is simply part of everyday life is much easier to groom as an adult.  And that makes grooming a much nicer experience for your Cobberdog, you and your groomer.