Barbet – Long Coats To Admire

Barbet Description

The Barbet is a medium sized breed of dog. They stand between 18 to 22 inches in height and weigh between 33 to 55 pounds. Barbets have long coats.

Their coats are woolly and either curly or wavy. Coat colors include, but are not limited to, black, brown, fawn, gray, and white. Mixtures of these colors are also common for a Barbet’s coat. The exact origin of the Barbet is unknown. It is believed that this breed was the first of the water dog breeds.

The breed still remains somewhat popular in France, but is virtually unknown everywhere else in the world.

Also Known As

French Water Dog

Temperament

Barbets have wonderful temperament. Dogs of this breed make excellent companions. They are highly intelligent thus easy to train. They do maintain a great need to hunt. They are rarely aggressive with other dogs or children. They are fiercely obedient and are always hoping to please their owners as well as everyone else.

Health Problems

There is no real health problems associated with Barbets. They can become afflicted with ear infections. The most common cause of these ear infections is water build up in the ear canal which occurred while swimming (similar to what humans can get after swimming), so it is imperative that their ears be cleaned on a regular basis.

Exercise

Barbets are a breed bred specifically for the water and to this day the breed is happiest and most content when it is able to swim and frolic in various bodies of water. Trips to local ponds, streams, and creeks are a must when you own a Barbet.

It is important that you are sure of the dept of the water before you allow your Barbet to swim in those places. Dogs often do not realize their own limitations and if they swim out too far in deep waters they may become too tired to swim back which could cause them to drown.

Also, it is important that the water in which your Barbet is swimming in is free of poisonous snakes that could wound or kill your dog if bitten by them. A safe alternative for your dog to enjoy time in the water is “doggy pools”, almost all boarding facilities have them.

Special Grooming Needs

Barbets require a good deal of grooming. This grooming is usually best when performed by a professional once every month. It is also necessary to clean the ears of a Barbet on a regular basis to help ward off infection.