The Barbet is a French waterdog. It is CKC registered with the sporting group. Throughout history amongst many things the Barbet is a top gun dog. Friendly and kind, they are excellent waterdogs. In the world it is estimated to be 1060 Barbets, and in Canada there is over 150 registered Barbets. Barbet a breed who always worked proud and hard helping humanity throughout at least 500+ known years of history.
read more about the Barbet
BARBET
Country: France
Other Names: Griffon d'Arret a Poil Laineux
Group: Gun dog.
It has been hypothesized that the Barbet is the ancestor of several breeds, for instance the Briard, Griffon, Poodle, Newfoundland & Water Spaniels. In Europe there were waterdogs in the 14th century; most likely the Barbet. The Barbet was originally used as a hunter's assistant for retrieving at sea. Almost dying out the breed survived; mix breeding, two World Wars, & now with the rise of designer dogs and backyard breeding the breed may be at crisis again.
The breeds name "Barbet" comes from the french word barbe, meaning beard; pseudonym, laineux, translates into woolly. They can retrieve in the water & mud due to their webbed feet, making them great swimmers & hunters. As well their thick coat gives them a wolly appearance and protection from the cold, allowing them to withstand hours in water and chilly marshes. Their coats come in several colours, including solid black, chestnut brown, grey, fawn, pale fawn, white or pie-bald. Also hypoallergenic as the Barbet has hair and not fur. Its hair falls out when brushed or if not groomed tufts will come out. Both which are easily cleaned. They do not shed their coat twice a year as dogs with fur do. The Barbet needs its abundant hair groomed regularly so it doesn't mat. Relatively average to maintain soft hair.
A medium size dog: females ranging 20-24 inches (33lbs-45lbs) and males 22-25 1/2 inches (45lbs-58lbs). Average life span 15 years. Grandpa Febus passed away 2008 at age 19 years. They prefer a country setting but can adjust to city life and have been easily trained as therapy dogs. Although they should always have access to swimming, hunting and retrieving. The Barbet has a well-balanced demeanor, being neither aggressive or cowardly. They are excellent companion dogs showing extreme devotion to their masters and families. Usually displaying affection, obedience, intelligence & instinct to hunt.
Average cost anywhere from $2000 to $3000 in North America. Expect increased cost if you import from Europe. As you will require proper paperwork & funds for travel to obtain your new canine.
Help us preserve this very rare breed of waterdog. Make sure you do your research and decide whether your lifestyle suits a Barbet before purchasing.
Most likely the Barbet's ancestors are corded sheep dogs from Asia and possibly early griffon hounds. Although we will never know as history has a way of disappearing. It seems as Woolly water dogs were found throughout 14th Century Europe and they are the closest to the original type of water dogs. Even though it has been said that the French Royals have been hunting waterfowl with Barbet for all time; the Barbet is not a common nor well known breed.
In the 15th Century, literature & art started to portray the Barbet as a race. There were both indications of small and large sized Barbet. The larger suited to the home and livestock; while the smaller and medium sized dogs were mainly used for hunting fowl.
De Canibus Britannicus categorized the Barbet in 1570. It was originally written in Latin by Dr. Johannes Caius.
Six years later, 1576, it was translated to English as, a group of dogs used for hunting & fowling called Aucuapatorii were: setter, waterdog and water spaniel.
The Swedish natuaralist Linnaeus (1707-1778) included the next major classification of dogs - Cams aquaticus major or Great Water Dog (Grand Barbet).
In the 1800's the Barbet was used in many breeds, which proved in fact to be very harmful for the breed. It underwent a variety of name changes depending on its usage and location. In England it was known as the 'Great Water Dog', in Germany the 'Pudelhund' (Poodle), and in France the 'Barbet or Caniche'. All of these referred to the same dog.
In 1930's there was one Barbet breeder in France, Dr. Vincenti of 'Mas de la Chapelle'. He largely promoted his dogs the natural ability to hunt. Generally, his dogs were two colours, black and white. Unfortunately, at the end of the Second World War, Dr Vincenti died. But later in the 1960's Mme Pêtre, continued her father's education, while Barbet breeding begun in France.
The 'Marécages du Prince' kennel was founded by Christine Bisconte. The history of her kennel mainly began with the famous Barbet LYNX, born 1975. Descending later on came two females used for breeding Ulyssia and Umide.
In 1977, Jean-Claude Hermans became interested in the Barbet and started 'Des sauté Ruisseaux'. He obtained his first Barbet, Ulyssian Marécages du Prince. Mr. Hermans set about tracking down Barbets still existing in France and also went on to promote the breed, bringing it back to prominence and leading it to the current F.C.I. standard.
Presently, the Barbet faces a constant battle; limited exposure, sparse knowledge, and the rise of designer dogs. But although rare and small in numbers, a few dedicated breeders and enthusiasts across N. America and Europe, manage to preserve the breed.
Full and extensive English/French history version online at the following website:
BARBET; a French National treasure: http://bbfrenchtreasure.free.fr
Another version of Barbet history: http://barbetfanciers.ca
In May 1863 'The Illustrated London News' reviewed the first Paris dog show and a drawing was featured of "French race of Barbets, for duck-hunting'. The Barbet, a medium sized, sound, intelligent and independent dog, is used to find game, flush and retrieve it. Barbets are the only water dog that can still point.
Many of our friends who hunt have been asking us to utilize the Barbet in North America. Duck-hunters alike are having the same problem. They are using small boats with big 80 pound labs who struggle in & out. An optimal alternative as we've said alike is our Barbet. Females reaching 45 pounds and males around 58 pounds. Unfortunately rare, the Barbet, is the top gun dog. Small to medium in size. Woolly coated to withstand hours in water and chilly marshes. They thrive on their one main instinct, and that is to hunt. Barbets provide a superior race to the labrador retirever. They excel at proving to be champion trackers, retrievers and master companions.
Piotr Piotrowski is a master falconer/hunter with the Barbet. We plan on bringing his old school teachings to Canada.
CH Satine Biscays Precious Pearl CGN
born June 15, 2008 in Canada, whom we call Madzia. Born to dam Alma ź Górki Podduchownej (PL) & sire Quaciendas Cirocco Cristaline (NL); CKC Champion Barbet 2008 (fourth). Satine, chestnut brown & white was the seventh puppy out of eight, born in the first Barbet litter in Ontario. By an awesome breeder Paula Ballak from Biscay Waterdogs Inc. Who is our friend and constant mentor.
STRUCTURE:
TITLES: CKC Canadian Champion (CH), Canine Good Neighbour (CGN)
FUN FACTS:
CH Nelum-Himalis Daphné CGN
born May 17, 2009 in Finland. Born to dam Nelum-Himalis Braise (FI) & sire Ulysse di Barbochos Reiau de Prouvenco. Bred by Anne Keippilä and Ritva & Göran Sjöström. Daphné is one of seven puppies and sister to fawn Barbet, Deetha Deja-Vu. Daphné travelled to Canada alongside her brother Disque D'or, who went to live with Paula Ballak.
STRUCTURE:
TITLES: CKC Canadian Champion (CH), Canine Good Neighbour (CGN)
FUN FACTS:
CH Frankly Scarlet de la Serve de la Chapelle d'Alexandre
born February 17, 2010 in France, whom we call Frankie. Born to dam Ermengarda (IT) & sire Booly Wooly de la Serve de la Chappelle d'Alexandre (FR). Bred by Elaine Fichter. Frankie is the newest addition to our Barbet family. She was one of ten puppies from Ermengarda (aka Coccolina) who has the highest quotation of any Barbet in Europe on the CSC grid selection: 5/6.
STRUCTURE:
TITLES: CKC Canadian Champion (CH)
FUN FACTS:
CH Chmurnik ź Górki Podduchownej
born November 28, 2008. Born to dam Ottavia (IT) & sire Borealii Choco-Pop (FI). Who are both 1st place hunting & conformation champions. This black curly coated Barbet was imported from Pabianice, Poland in March, 2009 and bred by Piotr Piotrowski. Chmurnik is one of eight puppies and the third litter of Barbet ever born in Poland.
STRUCTURE:
TITLES: CKC Canadian Champion (CH)
FUN FACTS:
Nappyroots Afrika Bambaataa WC
born October 25, 2010, aka Obereon Tiberous or just simply Obie. Born to dam Satine Biscay's Precious Pearl (CA) & sire Chmurnik ź Górki Podduchownej (PL). Obie is one of eight puppies of our own breeding and the first we have ever kept. He is co-owned and lives with our good friend Paul Hunter in Hamilton, Ontario.
STRUCTURE:
TITLES: CKC Working Certificate (WC)
FUN FACTS:
CH Banditt Von der Leibrücke CGN
born May 11, 2009. Born to dam Quaciendas Aubey Unique (NL) & sire de la Serve de la Chapelle d'Alexandre Compay II (FR). Banditt was imported from the Netherlands in July, 2009 and bred by Henk Hilbink and Walda Brands. He is the only pied black/white Barbet in Ontario. Banditt is not a breeding stud since he has been diagnosed with moderate hip dysplasia and will continue to be a loved family member in our home.
STRUCTURE:
TITLES: CKC Canadian Champion (CH), Canine Good Neighbour (CGN)
FUN FACTS:
BARBET
Size
Height at the withers:
Dogs:22-25 1/2 inches (58-65cm)
Bitches: 20-24 inches (53-61cm)
With a tolerance of +/- 1cm
Coat & Colour
Skin: thick
Coat:long, wolly and curly, forming cords. The coat is profuse and, in its natural state, covers the entire body. That is a particular breed characteristic. Since time immemorial, the barbet has been clipped in order to ease his work and lifestyle. According to how he is used, the barbet can present different appearances.
Colour: Solid black, grey, chestnut brown, fawn, pale fawn, white or more or less pied. All shades of red-fawn and pale fawn are permitted; preferably the whole body should be the same shade.
Head
The coat on the head must fall to the bridge of the nose. The beard is long and ample; the profuse moustache covers the whole muzzle. Skull: round and broad. Stop: pronounced. Muzzle: quite square. The bridge of nose is broad and short. Lips: thick, pigmented, completely covered by long hair. The pigmentation of the mucous membranes may be black or brown. Jaws/teeth: Jaws of equal length. Scissors bite. Strong teeth. Incisors well developed and well aligned. Eyes: round, preferably dark brown. Ears: set on low (in line with eyes or slightly lower), long, flat, broad, covered by long hair which forms cords. If the ears are held together across the noseleather, they reach (with the hair) at least 5 cm beyond it. The ear cartilage reaches beyond the corner of the mouth.
Tail
Slightly raised, carried above the horizontal line when the dog is in action, low set, forming a slight hook at the tip
Gait
Easy movement, the limbs moving in line with the body. Medium length foreleg stride with good thrust from the hindquarters.
Fault
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be exact proportion to its degree.
Barbet breed standards effective January 1, 2009.
2012 LITTERS PLANNED:
CH Satine Biscay's Precious Pearl CGN X CH Nelum-Himalis Disque D'or CGN breeding in spring 2012.
CH Frankly Scarlet de la Serve de la Chapelle d'Alexandre (sire yet to be determined) breeding in winter 2012.
NAPPYROOTS 'B' LITTER:
CH Nelum-Himalis Daphné CGN and CH Chmunrik z Górki Podduchownej had 8 healthy, happy and stunningly colourful puppies on September 1, 2011. 5 males (3 black, 1 brown and 1 fawn) and 3 females (2 black and 1 fawn). These are the first fawn Barbet (male and female) in Canada, in North America for that matter, born right here at Nappyroots!
NAPPYROOTS 'A' LITTER:
CH Satine Biscay's Precious Pearl CGN and CH Chmurnik z Górki Podduchownej had 8 healthy, beautiful puppies on October 25, 2010. 4 males (1 black, 1 black with white and 2 brown) and 4 females (1 black, 1 black with white and 2 brown).
Nappyroots: Afrika Bambaataa, Aaliyah, Altagracia, Aya, Alouette, Asiago, Armani and Aloysius.
Registered Kennel with the CKC
After a year of brainstorming and deliberation we have decided on a kennel name that best represents our dogs and us. Then having to wait several months for the CKC to undertake correct legalization, our kennel name is finally here....we have decided to register our litters and puppies under the kennel NAPPYROOTS. Therefore we will be naming our first litter NAPPYROOTS "A" names with each consecutive litter being the following letter in the alphabet. We have decided on this old school European method for naming puppies.
NAPPY....meaning coiled/curled hair in its natural state; unaltered, rustic. As found on people of African descent who do not chemically alter their hair texture. One generally accepted theory is that the Barbet descended from corded herding dogs originating in North Africa which were brought to Europe with the Moors during the 7th and 8th centuries.
ROOTS....meaning the root is the organ of a plant that typically lies below the surface of the soil. Without roots we would have no life and everything comes from something. The Barbet being the original breed of waterdog has very deep roots, with the first reference to the breed occurring in the fourteenth century when a certain gascon count speaks of them in a book written in 1387. Roots reggae is a subgenre of reggae that concerns itself with the spiritual side of Rastafari and with the honouring of their Godhead, Jah. It also is identified with the life of the ghetto sufferer, and the rural poor. Lyrical themes include spirituality, poverty, Black pride, social issues, resistance to government and racial oppression, repatriation, and Rastafari. All coincidentally relating to the history and current social issues the Barbet is undertaking and those committed to preserving its old blood lines in a modern world.
Our kennel then signifies the two loves in our lives Barbet and music...jazz/blues/reggae/hip hop/rhythm&blues. NAPPYROOTS is the beginning of new life to us that will be around for a very long time.
Here is our first fun recipe:
LIVER BAIT Homemade Treat
Ingredients:
Liver (beef or calf liver).
Bring water to a boil. Toss liver in for fifteen minutes. Pre-heat oven to 300°C. Remove liver, rinse off under cold water and pat dry. Bake liver 20 minutes each side, if thin; or 30 minutes each side, if thick. Cool.
Stays up to seven days refridgerated or freezes. Only give your dog a little bit at first, so their organisms are able to breakdown the natural treats.
*Recipe thanks to Evelyn our PBGV friend.
The Charter for an Authentic Barbet
The authentic Barbet / Old bloodlines
“The Barbet is not a spaniel, but a Griffon whose origins have been very much a topic of discussion...written in 1933, by M Dhers for the Chasseur Français. Stonehenge considered it was:
1. a variety of poodle,
2. the result of a crossing of a spaniel and of the water spaniel,
3. a breed of its own.
One could answer...
1. the poodle came after the Barbet
2. the water spaniel is a perfected Barbet
3. that the 3rd option is most likely the most correct.”
It is most likely that the poodle is a descendant of the Barbet; and that the name canis aquaticus Linné had attributed to the Barbet, and not the poodle.
The Barbet having been the subject, historically, in our little canine world, of a major debate and continues to be, one needs to take a stand and decide as a breeder, aficionado or simple owner, what to believe and what not to.
Those of us who have signed the BREEDERS’ CHARTER for the AUTHENTIC BARBET believe in the 1894 standard written for a Griffon Barbet.
We believe that a Griffon is not a Poodle. The poodle is a sophisticated, elegant dog with its own standard. Yes, it is a descendant of the Barbet, but selected for another purpose: refinement and elegance.
We don’t support any radical standard changes as there have been, in such an old French breed. The Barbet is a Griffon that was transferred into the SCC group 8 because of its remarkable ability to swim. It is and must remain a rustic, all around dog, that can retrieve from water and hunt on land, when trained. The Barbet also excels in agility and is a very intelligent dog who learns very quickly.
The Barbet is also a lovely, affectionate companion who does need space and activity. He is a member of the family!
Why “Authentic” Barbet?
As a revamped logo will be posted on our sites, we would like to stress our will to continue the phenotype/appearance of the Barbet from the 30’s, as documented in many books and photographs.
If some still have a bit of Barbet blood in them, we wish to promote it and continue to strive towards the morphology, natural (retrieving and hunting) ability, character, health, the multitude of colors that make the Barbet special, and a rustic, sound animal as there were documented to be at the turn of the 20th century and throughout most of the 20th century before some radical changes were made to the breed and its appearance and to the standard.
As a reminder, back in “those days” there was no DNA (a medical test to confirm parentage by using saliva or blood), but when you looked at the dogs, you knew where they were bred and what breed they were. The Barbet not SCC registered, had the appearance of a purebred dog and were admitted to the Titre Initial registry after having been seen by a judge of the SCC. Their origins can be traced through ownership.
How to achieve our objective? By selecting as much of what little Barbet blood still flows through the veins of some of the descendants of Mrs Pêtre’s dogs, and her father’s. The Barbets that have been selected so far, for reproduction, have been very similar to the old (blood)lines and very promising for the future of the Authentic Barbet.
We also believe in communicating openly about the true pedigrees of our dogs and why we do what we feel needs to be done for the future.
We would like to put our competencies at the disposal of those who share our values and are interested in joining our community, working towards our target which is the survival of this wonderful French breed, please feel free to contact any of us.
We will be happy to help you.
Below is a brief history of the Barbet from 1891 to 1970, when Mrs Pêtre, Dr Vincenti’s daughter, was offered a Barbet and decided to start breeding again.
The standard was written in 1891 by J de Coninck, president of the Société Havraise pour l’Amélioration des Races de Chiens. He thought the Barbet was more of a water dog than a gundog. The Barbet was in the FCI/SCC 7th group until 1986 along with the Griffon Korthals of which he was one of the founding fathers along with the Griffon Boulet. He also participated in the making of the Berger de Beauce along with the Briard and the Poodle.
1920-1930: Le Houelleur
M Le Houelleur, an SCC judge and hunter decided to acquire a Barbet and used him to hunt in the many areas of France he lived in and travelled through. He had already seen Barbets working in the Somme, the North of France, the Loiret, the Causses area and saw how quickly they adapted to the terrain.
He became a breeder. His kennel name was Floirac, town where their family home was and still is, in Dordogne where the family spends holidays and summers together to this day.
1930-1940: Le Houelleur/ Dr Vincenti
The kennel name” Mas de la Chapelle”, was registered at the SCC in 1933 by Dr Vincenti. The 2 dogs he used as foundation stock were Hourie de Floirac and Iff de Floirac from M Le Houelleur.
Hourie de Floirac: b. 15/8/33 out of Beseff de Floirac and Piram ( Barbet that came from a kennel in the Somme area of France)
46cms/ 20kgs/coat white with black, woolly.
Qualities: hunted remarkably well, natural retriever, very intelligent, excellent model. Iff de Floirac: b. 6/3/ 34 out of Beseff de Floirac and Piram
55.5 cms/woolly coat, black heads, white moustache, good nose, very affectionate
Defects: sometimes a bit stubborn, too tall, too good looking, too distinguished (!!!)
These 2 Barbets had 3 litters. Joyeuse was born in one of those litters.
39 pups were born in the Mas de la Chapelle.
Joyeuse du Mas de la Chapelle: b. 7/3/35
48.5cms/20.4kgs/wooly coat/ white with black on the croup/very intelligent, gay/expansive/ an ideal Barbet/ only problem could be that her head is not round enough. Joyeuse is probably the most well-known Barbet of that time because she was presented at many dog shows.
Dr Vincenti kept very strict records on each dog he produced in his kennel book that is available to us for perusal.
Example of overall remarks about the dogs: The dogs were white with black (as opposed to several of M Le Houlleur’s who were black with white). Good hunters/Very intelligent/flexible/ affectionate. Head length 20 cms/ woolly coats.
Records were kept on all the dogs as far as morphology (positive and negative points), colors, measurements, ability to hunt and character.
Unfortunately, as in other breeds, WWII did a lot of damage (and to dogs, too!) and it was difficult to find good quality dogs to keep the line going.
M Le Houelleur had sold his last Barbet and stopped breeding in 1941 and Dr Vincenti had died. In the North of France, the numerous Barbets were just about exterminated after the war. Just about doesn’t mean completely as it was known that there were still a few Barbets, mainly in the south of France.
No one, unfortunately has ever looked into what stock could be left in the north of France, Belgium or the Netherlands as it is a tedious and time-consuming task.
No one can say either or prove that the breed was extinct unless one has turned over every stone in the countries where there were Barbets starting at the beginning of the 20th century who most likely reproduced at some point.
1940-1960’s: The Ayme brothers
Very few births registered at the SCC, but a few doing their best so as not render the breed extinct.
Barbet were used for hunting and not for attending dog shows. The document below was taken from M Hermans’ Club du Barbet review no.2
As far as the Barbet was concerned, breeding went forward for a few years with the Ayme brothers, who lived in the mas (Mas de la Musique), next to the Vincenti family’s Mas de la Chapelle. They were far away from Paris and the SCC, and didn’t feel concerned with dog shows or beauty, the Barbet was a working hunter and that was their reason for being. Eventually, new blood had to be found as they were confronted to the inbreeding problem one has with not enough different blood. Thanks to Quesop (Portuguse water dog) brought back from Portugal, in a truck full of bulls! and mated to Bella, breeding was continued.
There are numerous family photos where the resemblance with Dr Vincenti’s Barbets is striking. Resemblance/phenotype that was continued, for lack of genetic proof so necessary to some ...
In the late 1960’s M Le Houelleur who had been corresponding with Miss Postigo wrote an article about the Barbet, published in the SCC official review.
In 1970, Miss Postigo who lived in Marseille and worked closely with the Ayme brothers offered Mrs Pêtre one of her father’s Barbets’ descendants named Thais. Mrs Pêtre decided to start breeding again.
S’Gandar was the son of Quesop and Bella from the Ayme brothers. They were mated. Bella was the daughter of Thian and Tahio who in turn were son and daughter of Kino du Mas de la Chapelle and Lita.
And a long line of descendants was started. Some successful, some less as is the case with most breeders. Mrs Pêtre was helped in her endeavour by several willing people until the early 80’s, when M Hermans had decided to re-incarnate the Buffon Barbet from 1776, by crossing T.I. dogs found in shelters with poodles and more poodles and discarding all of the Griffon Barbets in the south of France along with their breeders, descendants of Dr Vincenti and M Le Houelleur’s Barbets from the 30’s. The Barbet war had began and is ongoing to this date, 30 years later.
With facts, true history, original documents, photographs of lines and true pedigrees being made available to all of us, perhaps there will be a solution found at some point in the future. In the meantime, you as a reader, can make your own opinion and not rely on someone else’s.
For more documents and facts, please refer to :
Barbet: French National Treasure
http://bbfrenchtreasure.free.fr/index.php
The historians and canine authors referred to, for information and history include the following:
http://chiensdeau.free.fr/BarbetenBresse/articles.php?pg=art151
This document cannot be used, reproduced, modified or copied, even partially, without EXPRESS WRITTEN consent of the owner.
© Mrs Elaine Fichter August 10 2010
