The Barbet, commonly referred to as the French Water Dog, is a water-retrieving gun dog whose name comes from the French word for “beard.” Originally bred to flush out and retrieve waterfowl from the marshes and wetlands of France, the Barbet is mentioned in history as far back as the 16th century. The first Standard for the Barbet was created in 1894.

Many references to the Barbet exist in French literature through the ages, as this was once a well-loved and common breed based on its work ethic and affability. Painters throughout history have placed the Barbet in landscape portraits, depicting the breed at work in the fields and marshes of France. The Barbet is said to be in the ancestral lineage of other well-known breeds, including the Bichon, Briard, and Newfoundland.

With its soft mouth, the Barbet has long excelled at retrieving while its long coat protected it from the wet and cold. The work ethic of these dogs in the freshwater marshes and fields of Europe was so well known that it gave rise to the expression “muddy as a barbet.” The breed’s obedient nature and desire to be close to its master have endeared it to many throughout history, as even Napoleon is rumored to have owned a Barbet.

The onset of the World Wars in the 20th century caused great damage to the breed population, and it nearly became extinct. Thanks to the efforts of a few people over recent decades, the breed has experienced a rejuvenation and is today showing its versatility as both a beloved family member and working dog.

The post Barbet History: From the 16th Century to Today appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?

Michelle Detour: I was introduced to dog shows when I was a child. My mother bred dogs and both she and I got into showing various breeds when I was 12. I was introduced to the Briard when a friend, Marsha Clamp, moved in with my mother and sister. I met the breed I am currently showing in Owner-Handled, the Barbet, when we were showing in Canada. We walked past this beautiful dog and had to stop in our tracks to admire him. That was several years before the breed was accepted into the AKC.

2. How many years in dogs? How many as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Michelle Detour: I have been showing dogs for 46 years. I have been quite fortunate and blessed to be able to show many different breeds as a child. I competed in Junior Showmanship and finished my first champion at 15. I have shown many dogs to their championships and grand championships, but my Barbet, Atticus, is the first dog I have shown in O/H.

3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars?

Michelle Detour: All my dogs are trained by going to handling class. I find it’s the best way to get experience and to replicate the show ring as close as possible. While I have not done handling seminars specifically and do not rule out the possibility in the future, my seminar attendance has been limited to breeding.

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC Canine College?

Michelle Detour: Videos and webcasts are very useful tools for both learning about a breed and evaluating dogs. Since I am relatively new to the Barbet, and the Barbet is relatively new to the AKC, these tools are a must for learning pedigrees, understanding movement and composition, and honestly, in developing one’s own preferences.

5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you?

Michelle Detour: I have handled the Number One Barbet in O/H in 2022, 2023, and now in 2024. I am proud of these achievements, since Atticus is now only about 85 points away from an O/H Platinum. When you have a new, rare breed, judges’ recognition, whether in the regular class or O/H, is so deeply appreciated.

6. How important is the Bred-By Class to you? How important are Specialties?

Michelle Detour: I feel that the Bred-By Class is the most important class. If it wasn’t for our breeders there wouldn’t be dogs to show or breeds being preserved. Atticus has gotten four Best Bred-By Exhibitor in Show, and to me, these awards are the ones I am most proud of.

Over the years, I have been privileged to attend many Nationals. The ability to talk with other breeders, see many examples of the breed, and potentially, find a breeding partner have been invaluable. For the Barbet, Nationals are where we see the largest numbers, since there are very few showing on the East Coast where I live.

7. Is it a challenge to compete with your breed as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Michelle Detour: Given that the Barbet has only been recognized by the AKC since 2020 (just in time for a worldwide pandemic), it is sometimes challenging to capture the judges’ attention since the breed is a bit of an “unknown” and judges have not seen many examples. Despite this, Atticus has done very well (four O/H Bests in Show and four O/H Reserve Bests in Show). While the wins feel amazing, it is sometimes those kind words of praise from the judge that make my day.

8. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Michelle Detour: Since I have shown my own dogs for many years but only recently (2021) began showing in O/H, I have looked to the many people in the dog show world that I know and respect to “show me the ropes.” Competing in O/H was a natural and easy transition.

As a Briard breeder, my mentors have been Meg Weitz (de Bejaune Briards) and Terry Miller (Déjà Vu Briards). Both of these renowned Briard breeders have taught me lessons that have translated to my breeding of Briards and Barbets. Meg taught me to see the good in all dogs and Terry taught me that breeding, while science, is also art.

9. How important is the Breeder/Owner Handler to the future of the sport? To your breed?

Michelle Detour: In a sport dominated by Professional Handlers, having a venue where the “little guy” can get recognition for the dogs they live with and love is paramount. I do believe it keeps people interested and coming back—something the sport must have to survive on the scale it currently does. In terms of my breed, the Barbet, it is another opportunity to put a rare breed in front of judges so that they can get an opportunity to put hands on and appreciate the breed.

10. What advice would you give to Owner Handlers who are thinking of breeding their dog(s)?

Michelle Detour: Breeding dogs should never be taken lightly. It is complex, expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes, heart-breaking. My advice? Learn all you can. Befriend a breeder whose dogs you admire. Attend breeding seminars, and get ready for the best and most exhausting experience of your life.

11. What are your goals as a Breeder/Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you?

Michelle Detour: This is a funny question. Of course, we would all like a regular AKC BIS. It may elude me forever, but it is the possibility, as remote as it may be, that one day a judge will point at my dog and I will have that one special moment. I do have multiple Canadian BISs (with a Briard), but an AKC BIS is still a dream.

12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Michelle Detour: I don’t know if it is funny, but it was super enjoyable. Over the past few years, I have gotten to know many of the owners in O/H and many of the dogs. Of course, I have my favorite dogs, and when we compete against them, and they win, I still feel as if I have won something too. One of my best stories was the day I got an O/H BIS and my friend’s dog, whom I love, got an O/H RBIS. At the next show, she got the O/H BIS and I got the O/H RBIS. What joy that brought us both!

The post The Breeder/Owner Handler | Michelle Detour appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

A strong neck, blending well into the shoulder; a broad, deep chest; long, rounded rib cage; and a short, flexible, slightly arched loin are all characteristics of the most robust of canine athletes. The underline is slightly inclined, without tuck-up. The tail is the natural extension of the topline, long and low-set. While exact proportion is not as important as balance, a longer dog is much preferred over a short-backed or square dog that must surely lack durability in undergrowth and marshy terrain.

Images A, B, and C have been adjusted to represent variations in profile to help illustrate the language of our AKC Standard. Visualizing the intent of the words helps to train the eye to focus on the best exhibits—those which most closely represent the intent of the standard.

The coat of the Barbet is his defining characteristic. The hair on the top of the head reaches the bridge of the nose. Ears are covered in long hair. Profuse hair covers the whole body evenly with thick, natural curls. A wide variation in curl is acceptable; from wavy, to large and loose curls, to tight, smaller curls. Regardless, the hair must retain enough loft to protect from weather and underbrush. A straight, flat or sparse coat is incorrect.

The coat is shown in as natural a state as possible; clean and free from mats. The hair is to retain curl.

Barbet coat is shown in as natural a state as possible; clean and free from mats. The hair is to retain curl. While scissoring is necessary to keep him neat, excessive sculpting and shaping is to be penalized. Likewise, poorly turned out animals (clipped, matted or unkempt) should be penalized. Animals with sparse hair, bare patches, or the impression of ill health or poor management must not be considered for points. Tightly curled dogs can give the impression of more substance and can appear to be more sculpted.

Viewpoint

As an exhibitor and breed mentor, I’ll offer some opinions that I am arriving at regarding my preferred ring presentation. As varied as the curl might be on our dogs, so is the opinion of breeders/exhibitors on trimming. There are those who believe the dogs should never be trimmed, and there are those who are more comfortable with a neater appearance. There is no final authority on this topic, and our standard only addresses excesses in one direction or another.

I believe a successful trim “outlines” and reveals the shape of the body, without being extreme. An unsuccessful trim obscures the natural shape of the body. Each animal must be neatened to one degree or another, but the coat must be presented long enough to sufficiently assess its quality. As a newly recognized breed, we bring to competition many novice exhibitors or folks who are new to the breed—some wielding scissors for the first time and some relying upon professional groomers as they aren’t yet sure of their scissor skills. A trained eye is the best grooming tool!

Images E, F, and G have again been adjusted to represent variations in profile to help illustrate the words of our AKC Standard. Visualizing the intent of the words helps to train the eye to focus on preparing exhibits that most closely represent the intent of the standard. Make note that this is the same image we used to illustrate a correct profile. The only thing that has changed is the hair.

As fellow exhibitors and judges, we must rely upon our standard for direction, train our own eye to see each dog’s virtues and shortfalls, and present the breed (or judge it) to the best of our ability. Images H, I, and J illustrate a healthy variation of coat curl and presentation, while retaining the called-for profile of this rare and fascinating breed.

The post Profiles in Curls | Barbet Proportion and Presentation appeared first on Showsight Magazine.