Barbet
法國水犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Barbet is a very old French water dog — ancestor of the Poodle, the griffons, the Newfoundland and other water dogs — traditionally used as a hunter's assistant or a sailor's companion for fetching at sea, and also as a droving and companion dog. It is a balanced, medium-sized dog of about 48–65 cm whose defining feature is a thick, woolly, fleecy curled coat that protects it against cold and damp, plus the beard that gave the breed its name. The UKC standard calls it docile and very devoted to its master, neither aggressive nor timid, very sociable and fond of the water, with no fear of the cold; the AKC adds that Barbets are very intelligent, learn quickly and are easy to live with as long as their needs are met.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 48.3–64.8cm |
| Weight | 15.9–29.5kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Curly coat |
| Shedding | 1/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
The AKC breed page says responsible Barbet breeders screen for hip and elbow dysplasia. Ask your breeder for the parents' hip and elbow evaluations, and your vet about screening if your dog is stiff or reluctant on stairs.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Progressive retinal atrophy is named on the AKC breed page among the conditions responsible Barbet breeders screen for. Ask your breeder about eye testing and your vet about an ophthalmologist examination.
Seizure disorders and allergies
The AKC breed page also lists seizure disorders and allergies among the conditions responsible breeders screen for; the page describes the Barbet as a surprisingly healthy breed given its small genetic pool. Raise either with your vet if you see signs.
Behaviour
Docile, water-mad, no fear of cold
The UKC standard says the Barbet is not aggressive or timid, being docile and very devoted to its master; the breed is very sociable and fond of the water. It is essentially a water dog used for wildfowling, has several abilities of a pointer or setter without being a true setter, and has no fear of the cold, going into water in all types of weather.
Quick to learn, calm to live with
The AKC describes the Barbet as very intelligent, learning new things quickly, with a calm nature that makes it easy to live with as long as its needs are met; its AKC trait scores put trainability at 4 of 5 and energy at 3 of 5, which places daily purposeful exercise in the 45–90 minute band PocketPaw derives from that score.
Coat care is the real commitment
The Barbet barely sheds — AKC scores shedding at 1 of 5 — but grooming frequency is scored at 5 of 5. The UKC standard says the thick, long, woolly, wavy and curly coat will form cords if it is not regularly brushed, and that the breed has traditionally been clipped to suit its work, so all clips are acceptable.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
United Kennel Club — Barbet breed standard
UKC Gun Dog Group standard: French water-dog history, characteristics, the thick woolly coat, and height (males 22.75–25.5 in, females 20.75–24 in, ±0.5 in).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
American Kennel Club — Barbet (Sporting Group)
AKC breed page: height 19–24.5 in, weight 35–65 lb, life expectancy 12–14 years, the AKC breed-trait scores, and the health conditions responsible breeders screen for.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Barbet — Official UKC Breed Standard — United Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Barbet — breed page — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.