"Pippin' our resident grumpy old man (Terrier x), came to live with us initially as a foster dog, from a  Brisbane based rescue group who had managed to negotiate with a known puppy farm the surrender of 65 dogs.  I adored him the moment he was in my arms, a trembling 4 month old pup.  As he overcame fears he slowly learnt to trust people, my heart would beam each time he felt more and more confident around others.  Sadly as much as his emotional health was healing his physical health was not.  My beautiful boy Pippin was losing his eyesight and at the age of 5 years old was diagnosed with hereditary glaucoma and primary lens luxation.  Many thousands of dollars later and regular ophthalmologist appointments could not prevent the outcome, Pippin age 5 was 100% blind.  My heart completely broke for him and the prospects of him living the rest of his life without sight.

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Pippin's diseases are hereditary, Pippin should never have been bred.  It is completely unethical to breed dogs that carry such devastating preventable diseases.   In these modern times with easy access to DNA testing for health diseases there is no excuse to sell puppies without having thoroughly screened the parents.  Do not fall victim for a cute pup, or an 'available now' pup.  Be smart and insist on purchasing a dog with a health guarantee from parents who have been cleared for disease known in the breed, and both hip and elbow dysplasia.  

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Pippins story is a huge part to what lead me to breed Australian Cobberdogs.   With breeders committed to DNA health screening of breeding stock, the breed overall has a very high clean bill of health.   It is through these 21st century services that we can now undoubtedly guarantee our puppies 100%.