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Barbet breed guide
American Kennel Club (AKC) calls the Barbet an archetypal water dog of France and a rustic breed of medium size that appears in artwork as early as the 16th century.
A long, dense covering of curly hair and a distinctive beard give it the look of a Muppet come to life.
- Height
- 19 to 24.5 inches
- Weight
- 35 to 65 pounds
- AKC group
- Sporting Group
Barbet temperament
Friendly, bright and sweet-natured, the Barbet is a joyful, loving and devoted dog. AKC says it is very intelligent. It has a sensitive but even temperament, so training needs an upbeat environment and positive interactions.
Barbets are friendly, responsive and agreeable, which makes training a relatively easy task. AKC lists agility, rally, dock diving and lure coursing among the sports that suit them.
Barbet lifespan
The Barbet lives 12 to 14 years. AKC calls it surprisingly healthy given its small genetic pool, crediting wise, cautious selection by breeders.
Responsible breeders screen for hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, seizure disorders and allergies.
Barbet care
Grooming starts with a full brush-out, a comb through to the skin and a good bath. Blow drying afterward straightens the hair into a fluff ball ready for a scissor trim.
Bred as a marsh and swamp game retriever, the Barbet is an agile athlete with webbed paws made for swimming. Backyard play, preferably fenced or walks several times a day cover the rest of its exercise.
Barbet history
The Barbet was a water dog used in France to hunt water game, as 16th century scripts mention and later references treat it with respect and admiration. After the World Wars it was nearly extinct.
AKC says the efforts of a very devoted few are slowly rebirthing the old breed as a dog for the future.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 3 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 1 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 3 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 3 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 3 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |
More Sporting Group guides
Sources
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Barbet by Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 4.0
