The Barbet, also known as the French Water Dog, is a rare breed that gets its name from the French word barbe, which means beard. Although you can find Barbets all over the world, there are currently only about 1,600 of them in existence. Contrary to its name, the Barbet is thought to have originated in France. The American Barbet has been recognized since the 1500s when Henry IV preferred to take these types of dogs on his hunting excursions. At this time, the dogs were known simply as Barbets. From the very beginning, Barbets were developed to be excellent hunting dogs for waterfowl. After World War II, the breed nearly became extinct. It seemed that there were only a few Barbets left in the world. However, a woman by the name of Madame Petre was able to bring the dogs back by locating the few that were left. Petre’s father, Doctor Vincenti, was one of the first Barbet breeders before the war.
The Barbet is a medium-sized French Water Dog that was bred as a working dog. It is covered in a thick, wooly coat, which usually comes in a solid color. They have large, floppy ears that are covered in curly, thick hair. Like most water dogs, they have webbed feet that enable them to swim better. Although they don ‘t look it, they are agile and strong. The Barbet’s coat needs regular grooming, otherwise their coats will form mats. Their ears also need to be checked regularly for infections. This is a very rare breed and susceptible to genetic defects because there is a small gene pool for the breed.
Personality
The Barbet is a sweet, joyful and affectionate breed that enjoys human companionship. They love the outdoors and need plenty of exercise, especially swimming. They are usually calm and easygoing, but if they don’t get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Barbets make perfect family dogs as they are affectionate with children and loveable. They are quick to learn and eager to please which make them very obedient. They are friendly towards strangers and other dogs. Barbets are extremely friendly dogs that crave companionship. They are also very intelligent, obedient and faithful. They are most known for their agility, and they excel in such games as fly ball, frisbee, jumping hurdles and fetch. Finally, Barbets get along quite well with other pets.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Hunters |
| Function: | Companion |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Sporting |
| Life Span: | 13-15 Years |
| Nicknames: | The French Water Dog, The American Barbet |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
Barbet Build Information
The Barbet is a medium-sized French Water Dog that was bred as a working dog. It is covered in a thick, wooly coat, which usually comes in a solid color. They have large, floppy ears that are covered in curly, thick hair. Like most water dogs, they have webbed feet that enable them to swim better. Although they don ‘t look it, they are agile and strong. The Barbet’s coat needs regular grooming, otherwise their coats will form mats. Their ears also need to be checked regularly for infections. This is a very rare breed and susceptible to genetic defects because there is a small gene pool for the breed.
| Size: | Medium |
| Length (Male): | 22-27 in. |
| Length (Female): | 22-24 in. |
| Weight: | 41 – 65 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 4 – 5 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
The Barbet is a sweet, joyful and affectionate breed that enjoys human companionship. They love the outdoors and need plenty of exercise, especially swimming. They are usually calm and easygoing, but if they don’t get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Barbets make perfect family dogs as they are affectionate with children and loveable. They are quick to learn and eager to please which make them very obedient. They are friendly towards strangers and other dogs. Barbets are extremely friendly dogs that crave companionship. They are also very intelligent, obedient and faithful. They are most known for their agility, and they excel in such games as fly ball, frisbee, jumping hurdles and fetch. Finally, Barbets get along quite well with other pets.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Easy |
| Barking: | Quiet |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Not Available |
| Energy Level: | Very Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | No |
| Independant: | Moderate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very Friendly |
Appearance
Due to the texture and thickness of the Barbet’s coat, you will need to brush your pet every day to avoid mats. Monthly baths should be sufficient unless your dog becomes excessively dirty. However, be sure to brush its hair before bathing as water can worsen any mats that may be in the hair. If you wish, you can keep your Barbet’s coat clipped to make grooming easier.
| Colors: | Black, Black & White, Fawn, Gray, Light Brown, White |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | High Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Water-Repellent |
Barbet Common Health Conditions
A healthy American Barbet can live to about 15 years. Since there are not very many Barbets in the world, there is not enough information to pinpoint any common health conditions in the breed. However, some of these dogs have been known to develop such problems as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, entropion and cataracts. The American Barbet is an energetic and lively dog that can bring happiness to most any home. While Barbets were once bred for the purpose of retrieving waterfowl, today they make great companions for families who have children or other pets. If you choose to bring one of these dogs into your home, you can expect to have a loyal friend for many years to come.
Barbet Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
Get a Free Pet Insurance Quote
Breed Talents and Facts
The Barbet has webbed paws that help it swim. Barbets are related to many different breeds of dogs including the Newfoundland, Otterhound, Briard, Griffon, Poodle and Bichon Frise. It´s a medium-sized dog that averages about 46 pounds fully grown. These dogs have thick, woolly, poodle-like hair that is water and weather-resistant. While they come in a variety of colors, the most common shades are black, brown and parti-colored.
| Training: | Easy |
| Hunting Companion: | Yes |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | Yes |
| Ideal for Tracking: | Yes |
| Retrieving Skills: | Yes |
| Pointing Breed: | Yes |
| Herding Skills: | Yes |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | No |
| Security Guard Capable: | No |
| Police Performer: | No |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | Yes |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | Yes |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | Yes |
