Photo courtesy of Barbet de la Colline (www.barbet-de-la-colline.ch)The Barbet, or French Water Dog, is a very ancient breed, common throughout France, used for hunting waterfowl and described or mentioned in several works as early as the 16th century.
The Barbet is a water dog used for hunting wildfowl. Like all water dogs, the French Water Dog is more than just a retriever; he must search for, locate and flush out the game hiding in the water vegetation. He then retrieves the game shot by his master. Very resistant to cold, he shall go to water in all weather. Made for the water, his feet are large and round.
Coat
The coat is long, woolly and curly. It is an essential characteristic of the breed. Some specimens can even have a slightly corded coat. The French Water Dog may be groomed in a specific manner to accomodate its work and maintenance. The coat forms a beard (French barbe) on the chin, which gave the breed its name (Barbet).
The dog is an excellent waterfowl dog and icy conditions never slow him down.
Color
Solid black, grey, brown, fawn, pale fawn, white or more or less pied. All shades of red-fawn and pale fawn are permitted. The shade should, preferably, be the same as the color of the basic color.