A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Barbet
This French water dog has a substantial curly coat and a working background that extends beyond their teddy-bear appearance. Ask a groomer to demonstrate a complete brush-out and comb-through before choosing a long coat.
An everyday routine
Make space for substantial daily activity and short learning sessions. A busy weekend cannot replace a dependable weekday routine.
Coat care to plan for
Coat care is a meaningful part of the weekly commitment. Agree on a manageable trim or coat-care method with an experienced groomer and keep up with maintenance between appointments.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Barbet questions
What is a Barbet, and how do you pronounce it?
The Barbet is a curly-coated water dog from France, and the name is said "bar-bay." It comes from the French word for beard, after the breed's whiskery chin. It was used mainly to locate, flush and retrieve birds, and it has webbed paws for swimming.
Do Barbets shed?
Very little. The Barbet sheds about as little as any breed. A coat that does not shed means more grooming, not less, because it tangles and mats without frequent brushing.
Are Barbets hypoallergenic?
The Barbet is often suggested for people with allergies, and the coat sheds very little. That is not a guarantee for any one person or any one dog. If allergies are a concern, spend time around adult Barbets before you commit.
How big does a full-grown Barbet get?
Adults usually stand 19 to 24.5 inches tall and weigh 35 to 65 pounds. Males are 21 to 24.5 inches and females 19 to 22.5 inches, with weight in proportion to height.
How long do Barbets live?
Barbets usually live 12 to 14 years. That is a breed-wide figure, not a prediction for one dog.
How much grooming does a Barbet need?
A lot, for life. The coat needs about as much care as any coat can, and the routine starts with a full brush-out and a comb through to the skin. Full comb-outs are needed anywhere from every 4 to every 10 days depending on the coat, and the change from puppy coat to adult coat takes the most work.
Are Barbets good family dogs?
Barbets are cheerful, very social and loyal, and calm and easy to live with once their exercise needs are met. They do moderately well with young children, so supervise. They also prefer not to spend many hours alone.
Are Barbets hard to find?
Yes. The breed nearly died out after the World Wars and only joined the Sporting Group in the United States in 2020. The few breeders in the United States do not breed for volume, and the wait for a puppy can run one to two years or more.
