Barbet
Black Recording Angel Kennel
Me and the Barbets
I discovered the Barbet breed completely by accident.
Since my Black Russian Terriers don’t generally tolerate other dogs well, I never really planned on owning another breed. But the moment I saw a photo of a Barbet, I instantly knew that this was the breed I wanted!
I waited two years for my first dog, and then one by one, three more Barbets followed.
I bought Rea from a Polish breeder, Sarah and Salvatore (Szasza) from a French breeder, and lastly Coco (Clemi) came from a Czech breeder.
The first Barbet in Hungary belongs to me, and I am very proud of that.
They are in many ways the complete opposite of Black Russian Terriers, but I absolutely adore them.
Choosing this breed was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My Black Russian Terriers accepted them immediately, and they’ve been playing together ever since. They complement each other perfectly without any fighting—of course, a little growling here and there is normal. Because Barbets are playful and don’t look for trouble, my Black Russian Terriers don’t see them as rivals at all!
The Barbet
Breed Description
The Barbet is a cheerful, adaptable, and intelligent breed that loves to learn and be part of family life. It gets along well with children, other dogs, and household pets when properly socialized. Friendly by nature, it alerts well but welcomes strangers happily. This active breed needs regular exercise and especially enjoys swimming and retrieving, though it adapts easily to quieter days. Barbets make excellent family dogs, therapy dogs, and water retrievers. Overall, the Barbet is a playful, affectionate, and reliable companion—perfect for families or anyone seeking a medium-sized, loyal dog.
The French waterfowl retriever
The Barbet is an ancient French water dog, appearing in art over 500 years ago. Once known as the “Grand Barbet,” it is considered an ancestor of several modern water breeds, including the Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog. Originally bred in France for retrieving waterfowl from wetlands and marshes, its name means “bearded.” For centuries it was often grouped with the Poodle, until the Poodle became a more elegant companion dog and the Barbet remained a working breed. The first official standard was written in 1891. Today the Barbet is gaining popularity in Scandinavia and the United States as both a family companion and a versatile working dog.
Caracteristics
The Barbet has a rustic, slightly shaggy appearance with a square head, dark eyes, and dropped ears. Its body is strong and balanced, with a long back, deep chest, and a low-carried tail. The coat is long and curly, in colors such as black, grey, or fawn, often with white markings. Barbets typically stand 52–65 cm tall and weigh 18–27 kg. Known for their excellent water-retrieving ability, they may be somewhat slow when working and require regular coat maintenance.
Coat Care
There are several coat types. Dogs with wavy coats are easier to maintain, while those with curly coats require more extensive grooming.
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