Puppies have Arrived 10th March 2013
Barbet History
The Barbet (pronounced Bar-bay) is a rare breed, and a very old breed whose origins are not completely clear. It is thought to have travelled to Europe with the Moors, but its true origins are well and truly lost in history. They probably derive from corded, herding stock. Paintings, wood cuttings and drawings date the Barbet type of dog back to the sixteenth century.
Barbets are French Water Dogs, they were used traditionally in their homeland as duck dogs, retrieving shot wild fowl from the marshes, estuaries and ponds in France, but as a versatile breed, they were also used for flushing and retrieving wild birds and small game. It has been said that they were used to herd, and also used as a watchdog. Many familiar breeds have the Barbet in their ancestry, briard, and the griffon to name a few.
In the 19th century, the breed had diminished in numbers, as happened with so many breeds after the two World wars. Not only the ravages of war, but the draining of the marsh areas in France, led to their decline. It is known that there were breeders in the Arles region of France, and in Tarascon, which were areas where the marshes were drained due to public health issues. The breed was said by some to be extinct, but in the last 30 years or so, the breed has gone from very few litters being born, to seeing litters increasing in numbers each year, and spreading geographically around the world. Inside of France, there are still less than a handful of litters registered each year, it is recognised as an endangered breed by the French Kennel Club, as there are less than 50 births per year.
However, outside of France, there has been a hive of activity, with the breed doing particularly well in numbers in Holland, Sweden and Canada. There are barbets to be found in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, America and the UK.
In 2008 there were approximately 700 Barbets in the world, this has increased to approximately 1400 at the beginning of 2012, with less than 50 in the UK, and around 200 in Holland.
The first Barbet to arrive on British soil was over 10 years ago, a black male from France known as Robbie, since then only 4 other Barbets have been imported.
Soon this figure will increase, and hopefully the prospect of seeing a Barbet in various parts of the UK will become a possibility.
Barbets are French Water Dogs, they were used traditionally in their homeland as duck dogs, retrieving shot wild fowl from the marshes, estuaries and ponds in France, but as a versatile breed, they were also used for flushing and retrieving wild birds and small game. It has been said that they were used to herd, and also used as a watchdog. Many familiar breeds have the Barbet in their ancestry, briard, and the griffon to name a few.
In the 19th century, the breed had diminished in numbers, as happened with so many breeds after the two World wars. Not only the ravages of war, but the draining of the marsh areas in France, led to their decline. It is known that there were breeders in the Arles region of France, and in Tarascon, which were areas where the marshes were drained due to public health issues. The breed was said by some to be extinct, but in the last 30 years or so, the breed has gone from very few litters being born, to seeing litters increasing in numbers each year, and spreading geographically around the world. Inside of France, there are still less than a handful of litters registered each year, it is recognised as an endangered breed by the French Kennel Club, as there are less than 50 births per year.
However, outside of France, there has been a hive of activity, with the breed doing particularly well in numbers in Holland, Sweden and Canada. There are barbets to be found in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, America and the UK.
In 2008 there were approximately 700 Barbets in the world, this has increased to approximately 1400 at the beginning of 2012, with less than 50 in the UK, and around 200 in Holland.
The first Barbet to arrive on British soil was over 10 years ago, a black male from France known as Robbie, since then only 4 other Barbets have been imported.
Soon this figure will increase, and hopefully the prospect of seeing a Barbet in various parts of the UK will become a possibility.
Barbet Character
The character of the Barbet is that of a family dog. He is a very intelligent and social dog who is very attached to his family. He likes to stay close to his owner, you could say velcro!
He is very affectionate, a bit of a clown, kind, gentle, and full of fun. He enjoys whatever game or sport you wish to try with him, but keep it interesting, as he may bore easily of repetetive and monotonous tasks. He fits in very well with families, children , the elderly and other animals, he is always happy, and will do most anything you ask. He is easy to train, but can take the lead if you allow him, so training is a must, using positive training methods that enhance your Barbets natural trust and willingness. Puppy clases are an ideal place to start .
He is probably the most laid back in temperament of all the Water Dog breeds, not aloof, not too stubborn,and does not have guarding tendencies. The most you will get is a volley of barks if a stranger approaches the home, but that soon subsides, and he retreats behind your legs or to bed.
He is very affectionate, a bit of a clown, kind, gentle, and full of fun. He enjoys whatever game or sport you wish to try with him, but keep it interesting, as he may bore easily of repetetive and monotonous tasks. He fits in very well with families, children , the elderly and other animals, he is always happy, and will do most anything you ask. He is easy to train, but can take the lead if you allow him, so training is a must, using positive training methods that enhance your Barbets natural trust and willingness. Puppy clases are an ideal place to start .
He is probably the most laid back in temperament of all the Water Dog breeds, not aloof, not too stubborn,and does not have guarding tendencies. The most you will get is a volley of barks if a stranger approaches the home, but that soon subsides, and he retreats behind your legs or to bed.
That Shaggy Barbet Coat
Often Barbet owners are asked if the dog is a Labradoodle, that is because some Labradoodles do resemble a Barbet, but most don't. The Barbet is a rustic, shaggy, long coated breed, the coat is curly and wooly. It is a high maintenance coat, even just to keep it looking rustic! Now many Labradoodle breeders will tell you that their coat is hypo-allergenic, well the same could be said about the Barbet and other Water Dogs, but it isn't said, because it is just not true! They are indeed a breed that does not shed, just as 'some' Labradoodles'( though plenty of labradoodles do shed copious amounts of hair), so this is the reason why most people with allergies get along with the breed. But it is not only the hair of the dog that causes reactions, dander and saliva are often the triggers.
Barbet Health
The Barbet is a relatively healthy breed. Most live to a ripe old age without any problems.
Barbets in most countries are now tested before breeding as a matter of course for hip dysplasia and eye problems.
There have been a few cases of epilepsy over the years, though none so far in the UK, which is being researched at the University of Helsinki.
Barbets in most countries are now tested before breeding as a matter of course for hip dysplasia and eye problems.
There have been a few cases of epilepsy over the years, though none so far in the UK, which is being researched at the University of Helsinki.