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Dog Breeds
Barbet Dog Breed.
Barbet Dog training, care, history, temperament, and characteristics
Group: Sporting
Weight: 33 - 55 pounds
Height: 21.25 - 23.5 inches
Life Expectancy: 13 - 15 years
Size of Litters: Average 6 - 9 puppies
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History
Perhaps the oldest of the water dogs, the Barbet Dog is the forerunner of modern dogs such as the ever-popular Poodle, the griffons and even the Newfoundland and other breeds developed for water sports. It is considered an ancient breed with roots dating as far back as the 7th and 8th centuries. The Barbet hails from France and is known there as the Griffon d'Arret a Poil Laineux. At time the Barbet Dog has hovered near extinction and is still considered very rare today, although fanciers in Europe and the United States are working hard to preserve this delightful, well-rounded breed.
Characteristics
The Barbet Dog is a medium sized dog covered from head to tail with a dense, wooly coat. In fact, this breed's name comes from its thick beard. Barbet derives from "barbe," the French word for beard. The sheepdog-like coat comes in a variety of colors, including black, white, fawn, chestnut and gray. As might be expected, the Barbet Dog adores water and excels at swimming and other aquatic activities. Like most sporting dogs, this breed is very sociable and loves spending time with its master.
Temperament
Accustomed to spending long hours in the field alongside their companions, sporting dogs are most often loyal, friendly and affectionate. The Barbet Dog is no exception. This charming, easy-to-please fellow has an ideal temperament, neither aggressive nor overly shy. The Barbet is also a highly intelligent dog, picking up on new things with ease. All of the qualities combine to make the Barbet Dog an ideal canine companion.
Care
The Barbet Dog's dense curly coat, designed for protection when diving into chilly waters to retrieve fowl or broken arrows, does require special maintenance. In fact, between the ages of 4 and 6 months, most Barbet Dogs are shaved down completely. This allows the coat to grow back thicker and with a tighter curl. Daily brushing is very important in order to keep mats from forming in the coat. Mats that are not removed can sometimes fall out in clumps, but sometimes they do form close to the skin. In this instance, they can become very painful for the dog. So, it is best to keep the coat nicely brushed and free of matting. The hair should be removed from the insides of the ears regularly to prevent infection. The Barbet Dog does not shed and is a good choice for people with allergies to pet dander. For more detailed info, take a look at the Barbet Dog Grooming page.
Training
Due to its keen intellect, the Barbet Dog takes well to training. As with all dogs, the Barbet does best with a consistent, firm, but kind hand. It is an active breed, so a daily walk is required to keep it well-exercised. This breed is quite versatile and would likely love to participate in any type of canine activity you choose, such as agility, flyball, herding trials and water sports. Like its close relative, the Poodle, the Barbet Dog also excels at competitive obedience.
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