Spotlight Breed: Barbet 

Welcome to our Spotlight Breed article of the week.  This is where we feature one of the most interesting dog breeds from around the globe!  Today we are excited to spotlight the Barbet.  This woolly sporting dog breed is incredibly smart and loving.  One of the most interesting features of the breed is that they were bred for retrieving waterfowl for hunters.  In addition, they are talented agility competitors in France!  However, there is so much more to note about this breed which will be displayed in this article.

Barbets do best when it comes to experienced pet parents.  Their high-level energy and intelligence mean that they require a lot more mental and physical stimulation compared to other breeds.  However, if you feel that you can meet the needs of this breed, you will have an affectionate family member who does well with the entire “pack”.  They love to bond with their family, enjoy being around children and other dogs, and do well with strangers too.  The Barbet is not a breed that loves to be alone.  In fact, they can become anxious and very destructive if left alone for long periods of time.

You may experience some issues while trying to train a Barbet.  They are incredibly smart but can be stubborn as well.  The good thing is that they can form an association between a prompt, an action, and a consequence.  Because they are so intelligent, they often possess a “what’s in it for me?” attitude.  This is where you will need to incorporate positive reinforcement into your training practices.  However, consistency and patience will always yield the best results!

The Barbet is a dog breed with such a high amount of energy!  This breed is always ready and waiting for action.  Think about it…they were bred to complete a job and it is their duty to stay busy!  The Barbet has the stamina for an entire workday, and it shows.  If you are looking for a fun and friendly companion, then the Barbet may be for you!  We will leave you with our favorite quote about the breed: “Be silly, be energetic, be selfless, be resilient, be compassionate, be forgiving, be loyal, be loving…be like a Barbet.”