Dogs Types

Barbet Dog

Description: The Barbet Dog is a medium sized, well balanced dog which is well adapted to the water. This very old breed is the ancestor of many of the recognized breeds found around the world today. The Barbet is noted for their intelligence, the Barbet shows off his versatility in his success as a gun dog for waterfowl. The Barbet is a herding dog and companion dog which has been proven to have a pronounced inclination for Agility.

The Barbet, also known as the French Waterdog, is an ancient French breed who is ancestor to many of the breeds recognized around the world today, including the Poodle.

The Barbet Dog is gentle, loyal, playful and friendly. He has a wonderful temperament, neither fearful nor aggressive. Although essentially a water dog, the Barbet also has the abilities of a pointer and setter. A very versatile and intelligent breed, the Barbet works as a gun dog for waterfowl, a herding dog, and a companion who excels in many dog sports and activities.

Of medium-size, the Barbet Dog has a distinctive thick, wooly coat along with a beard which gave the breed his name (barbe) is french for (beard).

Country of Origin: TThe Barbet Dog is a very old French breed, being the ancestor of numerous modern breeds and types, such as the Poodle, the griffons, the Newfoundland and other water dogs, and the French sheepdog of the Brie region.

The breed is a water dog, traditionally used as hunter's assistant or as a sailors companion for fetching at sea. The female gave her name to the Barbette, the cannon posted, in the past, on the bow of ships.

The Barbet Dog was also used as a shepherd dog, for driving flocks, and as a companion dog. This is truly a versatile, multi-purpose breed.

Temperament : The Barbet Dog is a very intelligent, playful, loving companion. Very easily trained and adaptable to all situations. Although water and open fields to run are great for this breed, apartment life and long walks with his/her master are perfectly acceptable. The personality of the Barbet can be very serious and sometimes the clown of the family, but always loving and eager to please. The Barbet is not for you if you do not have the time to spend with your family pet. The Barbet craves companionship with his family.

Grooming: Brushing and combing should be done on a daily basis to keep the coat clean of twigs, mattes, leaves, etc. which can be picked up on daily activities. Regular brushing and combing also is advised as the Barbet does matte quite easily.

The Barbet Dog does not shed but, if the coat becomes too matted, the mattes will eventually fall out as balls of matted hair.

The coat of an adult Barbet is somewhat similar to that of a poodle, but much thicker and curlier with a wool like texture. The puppy coat is often wavy and fine. To ensure that the coat grows in proper, thick and curly, it is advised that the Barbet be closely shaved, completely, between the ages of 4 to 6 months of age. This allows the re-growth to come in not only with a more tighter curl, but also appears to thicken the hair.

Coat: The thick hair, covering the body, is an essential characteristic of the breed. The coat is long, woolly, wavy, and sometimes curly, forming wisps/tufts. If not regularly brushed, the hair can form into patches.

The hair on the head must fall down as far as the nose and hide the eyes. The beard is long and thick. The mustache overlays the entire nose and is very thick.

The skin is thick.

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