Description: The Barbet is a French water dog. The height is 20½ to 25½ inches with the bitches being smaller at some 2 inches less. The weight is 35-60 pounds and again the bitch is slightly lighter. The main feature is their coat, which is woolly and curly. The coat is a solid color usually brown or black and a small amount of white is allowed on the chin, legs, and chest. There are more colors but these have become rare, these are red-fawn, fawn and pale fawn, fawn, grey, and the extremely rare grey and white. The coat is non-shedding and so it is good for allergy suffers. The coat is over its whole body. They have an excellent sense of smell.

History: The Barbet has an interesting history as an all around working dog but its main use has been as a water dog. This breed comes from France, and recorded history sees this dog in the count George Louis Buffon’s book Histoire Naturelle in 1750. It is believed that this dog has been the original dog for other more known water dogs such as Poodle, American Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog. Where this dog came from has been lost in time, but it is thought to have come from the corded herding family of dogs. In its long history, this has been a working dog even for the sailors of the time as a retrieving dog similar as the Portuguese water dog. This Barbet has been used as a water retriever and as a farm dog. The name has changed slightly over time, and it has been known as the Barbet in Frances the Pudel in Germany and the Barbone in Italy. The Poodle soon found favor, over this more rugged looking dog, and this is where the numbers declined over time. However, this breed has survived by being such a versatile dog. Their bloodlines and standards can be tracked back to the 18th century. While this is a rare dog with only 50 in the USA and only a few in the UK it has gained in popularity in the Scandinavian countries, but is still a rare breed.

Temperament: The Barbet is an intelligent dog and loves to work. This dog is not for the first time owner as it can be stubborn and need great understanding of its natural instincts. This is an active dog and will demand its walks daily regardless of the weather. They need great leadership and firm rules but with being bright they can easily do this but may become willful if they sense a meek owner. This dog has great working skills and will want to use them so it will be best to work with this and use the dog for hunting or agility or even as a pet therapy dog. They are an obedient and joyful dog that will love to be with the owner doing some form of work. They are good with children but can be a bit boisterous in their teens. They are even tempered and can be goofy, in their behavior. They love water and can tolerate quite low temperatures. The Barbet makes an excellent companion dog, but you have to allow for its working roots and offer good daily walks come rain or shine, and mental stimulation. Socializing this dog well as a puppy will help the dog be able to mix with other dogs and be more accepting of new situations.

Health issues: While the numbers of Barbet are so low that worldwide they only go into the hundreds some health issues have shown and these are ear infections, hip dysplasia, undershot or overshot bite, hernias and epilepsy. This is an old breed with few numbers now and the list is overall time rather than each do.

Grooming: While this dog is a low shedder you will require spending a fair amount of time on the grooming of your Barbet. Like the Poodle, this dog will need trimming and depending on what you wish to do will depend on the cut and work required. Please read breeder's guides on grooming. If you wish to show your dog then the grooming will be higher than if you just want a pet dog with fairly low maintenance coat.

Living conditions: The Barbet is not really suited to live in an apartment. They need some space to run around and so a garden will be needed. This breed is not really a city dog and will much prefer the rural or country life. They need at least a one hour brisk walk daily and mental stimulation.