Barbet

Gun Dog Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges. Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

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 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, multi-purpose breed.

The Barbet was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1995.

General Appearance

The Barbet is a medium-sized, balanced dog, with characteristic thick, woolly, fleecy coat, assuring effective protection against cold and humidity. The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks, is slightly more than the height at the withers. There is a characteristic beard, which gave the breed its name.

Characteristics

The Barbet is not aggressive or timid, being docile and very devoted to 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.

Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.

Head And Skull

The head is entirely covered with long hair.

Fault: Fine, narrow head.

SKULL

Round and broad. The stop is pronounced. The forehead is large and short.

MUZZLE

The muzzle is very square and slightly shorter than the skull. The lips are thick and well-pigmented, the mucous membranes being black or brown. The jaws are of equal length.

TEETH

A full complement of strong, well-developed, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES

Round in shape, preferably dark brown in color. Eye rims are black or brown.

Fault: Light eyes.
Eliminating Fault: Wry mouth.
Disqualifications: Undershot bite. Overshot bite.

EARS

Low set, at eye level or slightly lower. Long, flat and broad. Covered with long, hanging hair that may form strands/cords. When brought together in front of the nose, the ears (including the hair) reach at least two inches (5 cm.) beyond it. The ear cartilage reaches further than the corner of the mouth.

Faults: Ears set high (higher than eye level). Thin ears. Short ears. Narrow ears.

NOSE

Broad, with well-opened nostrils. Black or brown in color, depending on the color of the coat.

Neck

Short and strong.

Fault: Long, thin neck.

Forequarters

Strong and muscular, with sloping shoulders.

Fault: Straight shoulders.

FORELEGS

The upper arm is strong and muscular. The lower arm is straight and well-boned, completely covered with long hair.

Faults: Fine bone. Fringed limbs. Lack of muscle.

Body

Broad, well-developed chest, reaching to the elbow. Solid back with a well-sustained topline. Loin is arched, short and strong. Seen from the side, the croup of round, in smooth continuation of the loin. Rounded ribcage, but not barrel-like.

Faults: Dip in topline. Long, weak loin. Straight croup. Narrow chest.

Hindquarters

Well-developed and muscular, with good angulation. Rear pasterns are upright.

HIND LEGS

Hocks set low and well-angulated.

Faults: Lack of thigh muscle. No bend in the stifle. Lack of angulation in hock. Fringed limbs (spaniel-type). Dewclaws.

Feet

The broad, round feet are covered with hair.

Faults: Fine, narrow feet. Bare-pawed/uncovered (lack of hair).

Tail

Set on low. Carried slightly raised. Carried above the horizontal when the dog is in action. Forms a slight hook at the tip.

Faults: Tail set on high. Curved over the back. Lying on the crop or loin. Tail naturally absent. Tail too short.

Coat & Skin

The thick hair, covering the body, is an essential characteristic of the breed. The coat is long, woolly, wavy, and curly, covering the whole body in a natural state. If not regularly brushed, the hair can form into cords.

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.

Traditionally, the Barbet has been clipped to accommodate their work and lifestyle, therefore all clips are acceptable.

The skin is thick.

Faults: Thin, delicate skin.
Eliminating Fault: Short, harsh coat.

Color

Solid black, grey, brown, fawn, pale fawn, white, or more or less pied. All shades/hues of red-fawn and pale fawn are acceptable. Preferably, the entire body should be the same, uniform shade.

Disqualification: Albinism.
Eliminating Fault: Any color other than those mentioned.

Height

Males - height ranges from 22¾ to25½ Inches, with a tolerance of one-half of an inch either way.

Females - height ranges from 20¾ to 24 inches, with a tolerance on one-half of an inch either way.

Movement/Gait

Easy movement, with the limbs moving in line with the body. The foreleg stride is medium, with good thrust from the hindquarters.

Eliminating Faults

(A dog with an Eliminating Fault is not to be considered for placement in a bench show/conformation event, nor are they to be reported to UKC.)
Short, harsh coat.
Wry mouth.
Any color other than those listed.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Undershot bite.
Overshot bite.