Canadian Kennel Club Official Barbet Breed Standard - Sporting Group - July 2022

Origin and purpose   

The Barbet is a very ancient breed of French origin, appearing in works as early as the 16th century. A rustic breed and an agile athlete, its propensity for water, plus the ability to point and retrieve, led to their development as a waterfowl gun dog over the centuries. The Barbet has been used to locate, flush and retrieve birds.  A versatile breed, the Barbet temperament is suitable for a variety of pursuits beyond hunting. Barbets also excel as service and therapy dogs, in performance events and as family companions.   

General appearance   

A medium sized dog, slightly longer than tall. The Barbet is characterized by a weather-resistant, thick, profuse and woolly coat, and a distinctive beard that gave the breed its name. A substantial head and a long flowing tail match well-balanced proportions.   

Temperament   

The Barbet is responsive, intelligent and friendly. A loyal, versatile sporting dog, willing participant in many activities.  The Barbet responds to positive interactions, regular training, and displays an even temperament.   

Head and neck   

The head is of great importance. The skull is rounded and broad. The stop is defined, neither abrupt nor sloping. The muzzle is broad and square, shorter than the skull. The teeth are well developed and proportionate to jaw with scissors bite. The eyes are nearly round, dark hazel to dark brown; the intensity harmonizing with the coat colour. The ears are set on low, at eye level or slightly lower and close to head. The ear cartilage reaches beyond the corner of the mouth. The lips, nose, eyelids are fully pigmented, corresponding to coat (black for black, black with markings or grey dogs; brown for chestnut or chestnut with markings dogs. A fawn dog may have either black or brown pigmentation. The lips are thick and completely covered by hair. The neck is strong, of moderate length, blending well into the sloping shoulders, in order to be functional to retrieve the game.   

Body   

The abundant coat requires careful hands-on examination of the underlying structure. The back is solid. The topline is strong and level. Seen from the side, the croup is rounded, in a smooth continuation from the short, strong, slightly arched loin. The chest is well developed, reaching the elbow. The ribcage is rounded but not barrel-like. The underline ascends slightly.   

Forequarters   

Shoulders are well-laid back, placing the front legs well under the chest with elbows close to the body.   Legs are straight and strong, well boned. Pasterns are strong and flexible.   Feet are round and broad. Pads are thick.   

Hindquarters   

Upper thigh is well muscled, stifle well bent, lower thigh is well developed, hocks well let-down, strong and perpendicular to ground, naturally without dewclaws. Feet are same as front. Angulation balances with forequarters. For both front and back, emphasis is on balance.   

Tail   

The tail is the natural extension of the topline, long and low set forming a slight hook at the tip.  When in motion, the tail is carried above horizontal in a sweeping curve but does not curl onto the back.   

Gait   

The Barbet covers the ground efficiently and movement appears effortless and well-coordinated, with good front reach and drive from hindquarters. Feet converge toward the centerline with increased speed. Topline appears strong and level while the dog is in motion.   

Coat   

Skin is thick. Profuse woolly hair covers the whole body evenly with thick, natural curls that range from large and loose curls to tight and smaller curls. The coat of the skull must fall onto the bridge of the nose. The beard is long and furnished; the moustache entirely covers the bridge of the nose.  Ears are covered by long hair with more wavy curls.  Forefeet and hindfeet are covered by hair.   The coat is shown long and in a natural state, clean and free from mats. The hair is to retain curl. Otherwise, the Barbet may be groomed in a specific manner to accommodate its work and maintenance.   

Colour   

The colours accepted are black, chestnut brown, fawn and grey. The black and chestnut colour may fade. The fawn colour can go from cream to gold. The shade is the same on the whole body. Any of these solid colours may be combined with any amount of white. The white markings may be prominent.   

Size   

Height at the withers:  Dogs: 56-63 cm (22 – 25 inches)  Bitches: 51-59 cm (20 – 23 inches)  Weight in proportion to height  

Faults   

Any deviation from the described ideal is a fault. Those inherent characteristics are imperative for the preservation of proper type and function of the breed, and therefore cannot be overlooked, are listed as important faults:   

• Straight shoulders  
• Tail curved on the back  
• Hindquarters: presence of dew claws  
• Feet: fine or not covered by coat  
• Colours: Any colour or combination of colours other than mentioned in the standard  
• Overly shy  

Disqualifying Faults   

• Aggressive dog.  
• Overshot or undershot jaw.