Barbet

The Barbet is a rustic, medium-sized breed of balanced proportions. They are known for their long, curly hair and distinct beard.

The Barbet has a thick, woolly coat that provides protection against cold and damp conditions. Its natural curls range from large and loose to tight and small.

The breed comes in a variety of colors, including all shades of black, gray, brown, and fawn. White spotting is acceptable, but not required by the breed standard.

Barbets have strong, broad heads that are proportionately large. In addition to the long, curly hair that covers their bodies, they have profuse beards and a mustache that entirely covers the bridge of the nose.

The Barbet’s ears are wide and are set at eye level. They reach at least to the corner of the mouth and are also covered with the trademark long hair.

Also known as the French Water Dog, the Barbet’s name comes from “barbe,” the French word for “beard.”

The Barbet was originally bred as a sporting dog or gundog and used in the French wetlands to flush out and retrieve waterfowl. Several characteristics—including its soft mouth and long, protective coat—helped it excel as a hunting companion.

Though the first breed standard was created in 1894, the Barbet was mentioned in historical texts from the 16th century. Experts believe the Barbet was the progenitor of several other breeds, including the Bichon, Briard, Newfoundland, and Poodle.

Despite the popularity of the breed in its early years, the Barbet nearly became extinct during the World Wars. And some say that the modern-day Barbet is merely a re-creation of the breed. Interest in the breed picked up in the late 1900s, and a Barbet breed club formed in France in 1980.

The Barbet first came to the U.S. in 1994. And it earned full AKC recognition on January 1, 2020. The breed population is still relatively small, with an estimated 500 dogs in the U.S. Because of their long, curly hair, this rare breed is often mistaken for the more commonly seen Goldendoodle or Labradoodle.