Barbet
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard*
Gun Dogs Group
© Copyright 1995, United Kennel Club, Inc.
HISTORY
The Barbet is a very old French breed, being the ancestor of numerous modern breeds and types, such as the Poodle, the griffons, the Newfoundland and other water dogs, and the French sheepdog of the Brie region.
The breed is a water dog, traditionally used as a hunter's assistant or as a sailor's companion for fetching at sea. The female gave her name to the Barbette - the cannon posted, in the past, on the bow of ships.
The Barbet was also used as a shepherd dog, for driving flocks, and as a companion dog. This is truly a versatile, multipurpose breed.
The Barbet was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1995.
GENERAL APPEARANCE & CHARACTERISTICS
The Barbet is a medium-sized, balanced dog, with a characteristic thick, woolly, fleecy coat, assuring effective protection against cold and humidity. There is a characteristic beard, which gave the breed its name.
The Barbet is not aggressive or timid, being docile and very devoted its master. They are very sociable and fond of the water.
The Barbet is essentially a water dog, used for wild- fowling. Nevertheless, it has several abilities of a pointer/setter without being a true setter. The breed has no fear of the cold, going into water in all types of weather.
HEAD AND SKULL
The head (skull) is round and large. The stop is pronounced. The forehead is large and short. The snout is very square. The lips are thick and pigmented, the mucous membranes being black or chestnut.
The head is entirely covered with long hair.
FOREQUARTERS
The steady, balanced forequarters have a strong frame.
FORELEGS
The straight, upright forelegs are entirely covered with long hair.
Faults: Thin, fine legs. Fringed limbs.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are balanced.
HIND LEGS
The thighs are slightly slanted. The rear pastern is slightly bent
Faults: Flat thighs. No bend in the stifle. Fringed limbs (spaniel-type). Dewclaws
COAT & SKIN
The thick hair, covering the body, is an essential characteristic of the breed. The coat is long, woolly, wavy, and sometimes curly, forming wisps/tufts. If not regularly brushed, the hair can form into patches.
The hair on the head must fall down as far as the nose and hide the eyes. The beard is long and thick. The mustache overlays the entire nose and is very thick.
The skin is thick.
Faults: Short, rough, non-woolly hair. Thin, delicate skin.
COLOR
The coat is one uniform color. Multiple colors are acceptable colors, including: black, gray, chestnut, tawny, sand, and white. All shades/hues of tawny and sand are acceptable, with the shade/hue being the same over the entire body
Faults: Coats not of a uniform color, including: bi-colored, tri-colored, blackened (sable), spotted/speckled. One color coats with non-uniform hues/shading.
HEIGHT
The ideal height for males is 231/2 inches (60 cm.), with 211/4 inches (54 cm.) being the minimum.
The ideal height for females is 211/2 inches (55 cm.), with 191/2 inches (50 cm.) being the minimum.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Extreme viciousness or shyness.
* NOTE: This information has been contributed by, and is property of The United Kennel Club, Inc. and is gratefully used here with permission.
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