The History of the Barbet.(concise)

Below is a concise history, for a more detailed account please visit History (In-depth)

The history of the modern barbet stretches back into antiquity. Though yet to be proved by modern genetic techniques, it is believed the breed developed from North African corded herding dogs which came to Europe in the middle ages with returning armies and with the Moors as they moved into southern Europe during the 7th and 8th centuries. This hardy, water loving, intelligent and highly adaptable dog soon spread throughout Europe where it was used for a variety of tasks as local needs and conditions demanded.

The earliest attempt at a complete classification of dogs was published in 1570 and called De Canibus Britannicus. This treatise was written in Latin by Dr Johannes Caius who was the physician to Queen Elizabeth I. It was first translated into English in 1576. Caius listed a group of dogs (Aucupatorii) which were employed in the hunting of fowl and comprised dogs used for fowling: Index, or Setter; Aquaticus (water dog), or Spaniell.

"The water dog is a creature of such general use, and so frequent amongst us here in England, that it is needless to make any large description of him: the rather since not any among us is so simple that he cannot say when he sees him: 'This is a water dog.' Gervase Markham 1621

The next major classification of dogs was by the Swedish naturalist Linnaeus ( 1707-1778) who included the dog breed - Cams aquaticus major or Great Water Dog (Grand Barbet).

Count George Louis Buffon's `Histoire Naturelle' from around 1798 lists some thirty breeds of dogs known at that time. The `Grand Barbet' with its heavy white coat with dark spots, long ears and strong head was used as retriever and clearly resembles the barbet of today. Variations of Buffon`s engraving appeared in several books of the period and is often called `The Great Water Dog'.

Up until the 1800`s the pan-European water dog went under a variety of names dependant on its usage and location, in England the `Great Water Dog', in Germany the `Pudelhund' (from where we get the name poodle), in France `the Barbet or Caniche'. It has also been referred to as a `Duck Dog', `Sheep Dog', `Water Spaniel' and `Poodle' but these all refer to the same dog.

The late 19th century saw the start of dog shows and with it the formation of breed specific clubs. The first dog show in Britain took place in 1859, and in May 1863 `The Illustrated London News' reviewed the first Paris dog show and featured a drawing of " French Race of Barbets, for Duck-hunting" It was some time after this that the first breed standards were set with the first recorded standard for the Barbet d'Arrêt, a barbet crossed with a pointer type dog, appearing in 1894 and with it the clear distinction from the modern poodle. The barbet developed as a medium sized, sturdy, intelligent, independent dog, able to find game, flush and retrieve it. Through the early 20th century a combination of war, drainage of natural marshlands and to an extent, fashion, caused a decline in the popularity of the barbet, which was considered a working mans dog. These factors did not affect the poodle’s continued development in more metropolitan areas. Even so, the barbet continued to exist in small rural pockets around Europe where it was still prized for its abilities in the field regardless of its aesthetic appeal.

During the 1970`s devotee`s of the barbet began to make individual efforts to resurrect the breed including Mme Bisconte and Mme Pêtre whose father Dr Vincenti had bred barbets between the World Wars. A Mr Hermans, of Paris, spotted an advert requesting barbets, placed by Mme Pêtre, in a local canine magazine and set about tracking down barbets still existing in France and also went on to promote the barbet breed, bringing it back to prominence and over time leading to the current F.C.I standard.

Today the barbet is slowly increasing in popularity, despite still being close to extinction, its future is now in the hands of a few dedicated breeders and enthusiasts across Europe and N.America. Once again loved for its character, intelligence and devotion to its owner, this most ancient of breeds will hopefully once again hold the place in the dog world it so richly deserves.

Barbet puppies - present day