The Barbet is the archetypal French water dog, a rustic breed of medium size and balanced proportions that first appears in artwork in the 16th century. The Barbet has a slightly rectangular body, a large head, and a long, sweeping tail. He has a striking beard and long, dense curls on his head. The Barbet, a quick runner, has mostly been used to find, flush, and retrieve birds. He has a positive attitude and is outgoing and loyal.
His distinguishing feature is the rich curly coat that covers this rustic, medium-sized bird dog from the top of his wide, broad head to the tip of his curved tail. The coat is available in black, gray, brown, or fawn, with white markings on occasion. The Barbet has the charmingly shaggy coat and friendly demeanor of a Muppet come to life, but it is a robust, solidly built dog that has been bred for centuries to be a sharp hunter and tireless swimmer. They are extremely bright and learn new skills quickly. They have a calm demeanor and are pleasant to be around as long as their activity needs are met.
Barbet Dog Breed: Characteristics, History, and Top 3 Care Tips
Barbet's Biography
Weight range: 37-62 lb
13-15 years of life
AKC Foundation Stock Service Group
Seniors, families with children, singles, houses with yards, and hunters are the best candidates.
Friendly, loyal, intelligent, and fun-loving temperament
Poodle, Briard are comparable breeds.
22.5-25 inches tall
Basics of Barbecue
Barbets are medium-sized French water dogs with a rich curly coat. Despite their rarity, seeing one of these canines is a sight to behold. They are powerful and self-assured, but they can also be seen playing in the dirt. The Barbet is a happy, fun-loving breed that would make an excellent new family pet.
The Barbet is a medium-sized French water dog with a rich curly coat.
Origin
Though this breed is still relatively uncommon in the United States, it has been around for quite some time. The name of this dog breed comes from the French word for beard, "barbe." It has been used as both a companion pet and a working breed throughout its history, and this is still the case today.
Though the exact origins of the breed are unknown, the Barbet is thought to be the common ancestor of many modern water dogs, including the Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, and American Water Spaniel.
For hundreds of years, the names Barbet and Poodle were used for the same dog in France and Germany. Although the breed's popularity is growing in the United States, its current estimated population remains between 150 and 200.
Pedigree
The Barbet is a very old breed, with the first mentions in 1387. This breed is thought to be the ancestor of modern water dogs like the Poodle.
Food/Diet
Because the Barbet dog is a medium-sized breed, a large-breed dog food mix is preferable. If you intend to use your dog for hunting or agility, feed him a dog food designed for active dogs to provide him with the energy he needs.
The Barbet is an intelligent and trainable breed.
Training
The Barbet is an intelligent and trainable breed. This breed, unlike many intelligent dogs, is not generally domineering or headstrong. Because of his thick coat and webbed feet, it makes an excellent hunting companion for retrieving ducks. This breed excels at agility training, having won first place in agility competitions in France.
Training is essential even if you do not intend to hunt or show your Barbet. Take your dog on a long daily walk and give him plenty of fun and outdoor time. Socialization is essential, particularly when the dog is young, to ensure that he remains friendly to strangers and other dogs.
Weight
Temperament/Behavior
The Barbet is a friendly and entertaining dog that is also intelligent and attentive. Though you may be tempted to give in to your puppy's every whim, starting obedience training at a young age is critical.
This breed is ideal for seniors and families with children due to its companionability. These dogs form strong bonds with their owners and prefer to be kept constantly updated on family events.
The Barbet was bred for hunting and has an active and sharp mind that requires constant exercise. To keep your dog from developing bad habits, you should involve him in consistent training and play a lot of games. If your dog performs well in obedience and agility training, consider one of these hobbies for him.
Common Health Issues
Because the Barbet breed is so rare, little is known about the long-term health problems that this breed is prone to.
The most common health issues in this breed are ear infections, hernias, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Ear infections, in particular, can be avoided by keeping the ears clean and dry. Hip dysplasia cases can be reduced through proper breeding methods.
Average Life Expectancy
The Barbet breed has an average lifespan of 13 to 15 years.
Exercise Prerequisites
Barbets were bred to work, so they will be unhappy if kept caged up indoors all day. To stay fit, he must exercise on a daily basis and take time to stretch his legs. Consistent training will keep your Barbet from developing problem behaviors like excessive chewing or barking.
The Barbet is a friendly and entertaining dog that is also intelligent and attentive.
AKC
The Barbet can be registered with either the ARBA or the UKC, but it is not yet officially recognized by the AKC. The breed is now part of the Foundation Stock Service Program; once there are 150 registered in the United States, the AKC will formally accept it.
Coat
The Barbet breed is distinguished by its long, woolly coat. Its coats can be wavy or colored, and the acceptable colors are solid black, brown, fawn, gray, and white.
The dog's thick coat protects it in cold water and also means that the breed sheds very little - shed fur gets matted into the coat rather than falling off the dog. As a result, regular brushing and grooming are required to prevent the coat from becoming overly matted.
Puppies
Barbet puppies are simply fluffy bundles of love waiting to be hugged and played with. These dogs have a silly side, preferring to sit calmly next to their owner rather than play in the dirt. Puppy socialization is also required to ensure that they get along with other dogs when they grow up.