Sporting group
Barbet
A shaggy French water dog — joyful, cuddly and at its best soaking wet.
The Barbet is an old French water retriever with a thick curly coat and a sunny, people-loving temperament. It is athletic enough for field and water work yet calm and affectionate indoors, with substantial grooming needs.
- Height
- 19–24.5 in48–62 cm
- Weight
- 35–65 lb16–29 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Size
- Medium
- Group
- Sporting
- Origin
- France
Coat: Long, dense, woolly curls; low shedding. Colours: Black, Brown, Fawn, Grey, White, Pied.
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
Barbets are cheerful, gentle and closely attached to their families. They tend to be friendly with visitors, patient with children and easy with other dogs. Many are quiet, thoughtful house dogs once their exercise needs are met.
They are sensitive and do best with positive training and plenty of company. As a retriever, a Barbet likes to carry things, loves water and mud, and can be slow to mature — expect a puppyish, clownish streak for a couple of years.
Living with a Barbet
Exercise
Around an hour of activity daily, ideally including swimming, retrieving or scent games. They settle well indoors when their needs are met.
Grooming
Brush and comb to the skin at least weekly, more if the coat is kept long, and trim every six to eight weeks. The beard needs daily wiping after meals.
Training
Eager and responsive to reward-based training. Keep sessions playful; Barbets shut down with harsh handling.
Kids & other pets
Excellent with children and usually very social with other dogs. Supervise with small pets because of the retrieving and hunting instinct.
Time alone
Barbets bond closely and prefer company. Build alone time slowly; long daily absences can lead to anxiety or chewing.
Home fit
Can manage in an apartment with committed daily exercise; a house with outdoor space is easier.
Is a Barbet right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Barbet matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a Barbet typically lives 12–14 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Screened parents and controlled puppy growth reduce the risk of joint disease.
Ear infections
Hairy, floppy ears and frequent swimming trap moisture. Clean and dry them regularly.
Epilepsy
Seizure disorders occur in the breed and are usually managed with medication.
Eye disease
Progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts occur; eye exams of parents are recommended.
Ask a breeder for
- Hip and elbow evaluation
- Eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist
- DNA test for prcd-PRA
Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Barbet; Barbet Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,200–$2,500 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks adds roughly $500–$900 a year.
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
Curly-coated water dogs called “barbets” appear in French writing from the 1500s, used to retrieve waterfowl from marshes and rivers. The name comes from “barbe”, meaning beard. The breed is often considered an ancestor of the Poodle and several other water dogs.
The Barbet came close to extinction after the World Wars. Dedicated French breeders rebuilt it in the late 20th century, and it spread to North America. The AKC recognised it in 2020.
Did you know?
- The Barbet is thought to be an ancestor of the Poodle, Briard and Newfoundland.
- Barbets are now used as truffle and therapy dogs as well as retrievers.
- The breed name comes from “barbe”, French for beard.
Library guides for Barbet owners
Grooming
Brushing
Barbet coats mat without regular brushing.
Grooming
Bathing
How to bath a Barbet without drying out the coat.
Exercise & Play
Tug of War
An energy outlet that also builds impulse control.
Grooming
Ear Cleaning
Ear care matters for this coat and ear type.
Exercise & Play
Dog Walking
Getting daily walks right for a Barbet.
Grooming
Nail Clipping
Every dog needs regular nail care.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Are Barbets hypoallergenic?
- No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Barbets shed very little, which some allergy sufferers tolerate better.
- How much grooming does a Barbet need?
- A lot: weekly brushing to the skin and a trim every six to eight weeks to prevent mats.
- Are Barbets good family dogs?
- Yes — they are affectionate, gentle with children and generally friendly with other dogs.