Barbet

also known as French Water Dog

Pros History


The Barbet, also known as the "French Waterdog," is a rare and ancient breed with a long and rich history. The breed's name "Barbet" comes from the French word "barbe," meaning beard, which is a reference to the breed's thick and shaggy beard and mustache.

The Barbet's origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it was used as a hunting and fishing companion, specifically for retrieving game from water. The breed's thick coat provided insulation from the cold water, and its webbed feet made it an excellent swimmer.

During the French Revolution, the Barbet faced near extinction, as many of the nobility who had owned them were killed or exiled. However, a group of dedicated breeders worked to preserve the breed, and by the end of the 19th century, the Barbet had made a comeback.

In the early 20th century, the breed faced another setback, as the popularity of other retrievers such as the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever began to eclipse the Barbet. However, again a group of dedicated breeders worked to revive the breed.

The Barbet was officially recognized by the French Kennel Club (Société Centrale Canine) in 1922, and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1948.

Breed Information


Type

Is Barbet a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Barbets originally used for?

Gun dog

Lifespan

How Long Do Barbets Live? What is average life expectancy for a Barbet? How long can Barbets live?

13-15 years

The average Barbet lifespan is somewhere between 13-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Barbet Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Barbet?

What is the average height of a Barbet? How big is a Purebred Barbet height? Barbet dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 22-26 inches (55.9 - 66 cm) 19.0 inches (48.3 cm) 23.0 inches (58.4 cm) 24.0 inches (61 cm)
Female 20-24 inches (50.8 - 61 cm) 17.0 inches (43.2 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm)
What is the average weight of a Barbet? How much should Barbets weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 37-62 pounds (17 - 28 kg) 28.0 pounds (13 kg) 39.0 pounds (18 kg) 49.5 pounds (22 kg)
Female 31-51 pounds (14 - 23 kg) 21.5 pounds (10 kg) 32.5 pounds (15 kg) 41.0 pounds (19 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Barbets get fat easily?

The Barbet is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Barbets Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Barbets are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is a Barbet personality? What are Barbet dogs best known for?

Companionable
Intelligent
Obedient
Cheerful
Joyful

Shedding Level

Are Barbets heavy shedders? How Much Does a Barbet Shed?

Barbet will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Barbet dog?

The Barbet dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Barbets come from?

France

Ancestry

What are Barbets descended from?

Water dog

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Barbet breed?

American Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Continental Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Barbets first bred? How old is the Barbet breed?

1500s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Barbet?

Sporting
Gun dog (UKC)

Barbet Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Barbet eyes?

Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Barbet nose be naturally?

Black
Brown

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Barbet coat be naturally?

Black
Brown
Fawn
Gray
Pied

Coat Length

How long is a Barbets coat?

The coat of a Barbet falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Barbet Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Barbet?

Curly

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Barbet have in a litter? How many puppies can a Barbet have in her first litter?

13-15 puppies per pregnancy

A Barbet can have a litter of 13-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Barbet dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

Barbet Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Barbets have a lot of health problems?

The Barbet is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher frequency of health issues compared to other breeds. These issues can range from minor to serious, and regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential in order to identify and address any potential problems as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Barbet?

Entropion
Hip Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Barbets?

Cataracts
Epilepsy

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Barbet breed?

Eye
Hip
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Barbet Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Barbets have a lot of energy?

Barbets are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Barbets need socialization? How social are Barbets?

Barbet have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Barbets get?

The Barbet dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Barbet have? Do Barbets sleep a lot?

Barbets are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Barbet drool a lot?

The Barbet is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Barbet dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Territorial

Do Barbets exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Barbet dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Mouthiness

Are Barbets mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Barbet running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Barbet dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Barbets enjoy doing? How do I keep my Barbet busy?

Fetch, Walking, Walk, Play, Dressing up

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Barbet? How much energy does a Barbet have?

Medium

Barbets are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Barbet walk each week? How many miles should a Barbet walk every week?

10 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Barbet, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Barbet should exercise a day? How much activity does a Barbet need?

45 minutes

In general most Barbets usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Barbet?

The Barbet is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Barbet?

Weekly

Barbet should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Barbets?

Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Barbet eat?

3 cups

For an average 37-62 pound (17 - 28 kg) Barbet feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Barbet Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a Barbet is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Barbet Cost Per Month?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a Barbet is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Barbet Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Barbet?

Barbets has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Barbet is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Barbet dog?

Barbet dogs have average emotions and are adaptable to different situations, not requiring extra care like sensitive breeds do.

Affection Dependance

Are Barbet dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Barbet do well in apartments? Are Barbets good indoor dogs?

Barbets are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Barbets good with kids? Are Barbets good around children?

Barbets are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Barbets good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Barbets good with cats? How friendly Barbets are toward cats?

Barbets are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Barbet dogs get along with other dogs? Are Barbets OK with other dogs?

Barbets are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Barbet dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Barbets friendly with strangers?

Barbets are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Barbets like to play? Are Barbets playful?

Barbets are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older Barbet for a mellower experience.

Trainability

Are Barbet easily trained?

Barbet dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Good with children
    Barbets are known to be good with children and make great family pets.
  • Good with other pets
    Barbets typically get along well with other pets.
  • Office Friendly
    Barbets make great office companions
  • Rarely barks
    If you're looking for a quieter breed, this one could be a good option as they are known for being relatively silent.
  • Boat Dog
    Boating is often an activity that the Barbet breed enjoys.
  • Affectionate
    They are known to be affectionate and loyal to their owners.

Cons

  • High energy level
    Barbets have a high energy level and require a lot of exercise.
  • Grooming needs
    Their curly, hypoallergenic coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting.
  • Health issues
    The Barbet breed may be prone to certain health issues, similar to other breeds, such as Entropion, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts and Epilepsy.