The Barbet, also known as the French Water Dog, is a happy-go-lucky gun dog originally used for hunting game in water. While rare, this breed is actually behind many modern breeds that have become more well known than their originator (for example, the Poodle). For those people whom have discovered this “secret”, they are fortunate to share their lives with this intelligent, loyal and affectionate dog. Owners are happy to show off their Barbet’s many abilities and talents – for these water dogs are actually incredibly versatile!
The Barbet has a soft mouth and is an excellent retriever. He can also point, flush, and (of course) work in water. This means that while he specializes in water retrieval he is actually a multipurpose hunting dog. Furthermore his medium size makes him big enough to work while not being too cumbersome to travel with. As with all active sporting dogs, the Barbet must be given regular exercise every day. If he is a companion rather than a hunting dog, he appreciates long walks, vigorous jogs and swimming field trips! When given enough exercise he should be fairly calm indoors and easy to live with.
The name Barbet actually translates to “beard” and obviously references the shaggy mop of hair that these dogs carry under their chins. Potential owners must be prepared not only for the soggy mess that will constantly drip from these beards, but also the long heavy coat over the whole dog that will carry in mud, leaves and other bits of nature constantly. These thick, curly coats were designed to protect the dog from water but are not the cleanest or easiest upkeep. While the breed is actually non-shedding (and hypoallergenic), that translates to more grooming because any dead hair must be brushed out regularly. Not only does he require lots of brushing and combing, but his coat must also be trimmed regularly since it grows continuously. 
Because he is so friendly and fun-loving, the Barbet gets along well with others, including children, the elderly, other dogs as well as cats (when raised with them). He makes a great family dog and his clownish sense of humor affords him many friends. He enjoys activities with his owners, especially when those activities allow him to meet new friends (this is a great dog to bring hiking and other outdoor excursions where people tend to gather). Being so social also means that he is prone to separation anxiety when left alone, as his natural inclination is to be right next to his owner at all times.
The Barbet tends to learn quickly when taught obedience and is overall an intelligent breed. That said, they can also become bored more easily than other dogs and some have massive stubborn streaks that they will pull out when they tire of the same training routine. These sensitive dogs also must be trained without unnecessary force or they may shut down. This means that training the Barbet can be a mixed bag and an owner or trainer should put thought into their actions when it comes to teaching. Not training is not an option – the breed can and will subtly start to take over the household if not given guidance in the form of obedience training. When taught in an appropriate way, however, these dogs can compete and excel in many dog sports including obedience, rally, agility and dock diving.
The Barbet can make a good watchdog as he will bark to alert when someone comes to the door. That said, these friendly dogs will quickly accept strangers into the home, especially if the owner approves. No need to worry about this breed becoming unnecessarily noisy as they normally only bark when there is a reason to do so (such as alerting to the presence of people). Keep in mind that visiting children may be bowled over by this excitable dog, so toddler-age and below will require extra supervision.