The Barbet dog breed is definitely considered a rare breed, especially outside of France where it originated. In the United States, the Barbet is included on the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service list, which is for rare breeds that are working towards full AKC recognition. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Barbet such an uncommon dog.
Barbet Breed History and Origins
The Barbet breed has ancient origins as a French water dog breed. They were used historically as hunting dogs, particularly for retrieving waterfowl. Their thick, curly coats protected them from cold water temperatures. Barbet-type dogs have been found in writings dating back to the 16th century. The breed likely descends from early French water dogs that eventually evolved into several breeds, including the Barbet, French Poodle, Briard, and Bichon Frise. The name “Barbet” comes from the French word for beard, referencing the breed’s distinctive facial hair.
While the Barbet was once more common in France, the breed’s numbers declined significantly after World War II. Only a small group of dedicated breeders kept the Barbet from extinction. Efforts began in the 1980s to revive the breed, using the remaining Barbets to create a genetic pool. Strict breeding standards were implemented to maintain the breed’s characteristics and type. Today, Barbet breeding is carefully controlled by pedigree to support the population.
Barbet Population
As a rare breed, there are only a small number of Barbets worldwide and they are primarily concentrated in France and Europe. However, efforts to promote the Barbet mean its population is growing. Here are some population statistics:
- In 2020, it was estimated there were about 3,000-4,000 Barbets worldwide.
- The French Barbet Club had 1,179 registered dogs in 2011.
- About 350 Barbets are born in France each year.
- In the United States, it’s estimated there are only a few hundred Barbets but numbers are increasing as the breed gains exposure and popularity.
- The Barbet is not currently recognized by major kennel clubs besides the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service, limiting registration numbers. It may take decades for Barbets to meet population requirements for full recognition.
So while global Barbet numbers are small, the population is stable and managed carefully to support genetic health. Reputable breeders work together to breed quality Barbets.
Barbet Breed Recognition and Registration
A large factor in whether a dog breed is considered “rare” is its recognition and registration with major kennel clubs. For the Barbet, lack of full kennel club recognition helps define it as a rare breed. Here’s an overview of the Barbet’s breed status:
- The Barbet is fully recognized by only one major kennel club — the French Kennel Club (Société Centrale Canine).
- The Barbet has been part of the AKC Foundation Stock Service since 2007. This means the breed is working towards full AKC recognition but does not yet meet all requirements.
- The Barbet is not recognized by other leading kennel clubs like The Kennel Club (UK) or Canadian Kennel Club.
- Without major kennel club registrations available, global breeding and registration numbers remain low for the Barbet.
- Gaining full recognition can take decades. For example, the AKC FSS breeds from the 1980s-1990s are still not fully recognized.
The lack of prominent kennel club registrations restricts population growth for Barbet dogs. Breeders have to go through a lengthy process to gain more mainstream credibility and expand breed numbers.
Difficulty Finding Barbet Puppies
Due to small global breeding numbers, Barbets are difficult to locate compared to other breeds. People interested in the Barbet often have to go on waitlists and be patient when acquiring a puppy.
- Reputable Barbet breeders often have long waitlists, sometimes over a year long, for their puppies.
- With so few active breeders, litters are not always readily available.
- Barbet puppies have limited availability even in their homeland of France.
- Prices for a Barbet puppy are often over $2000 USD because of rarity and restricted breeding.
- Importing a Barbet from overseas can be challenging and costly.
- Scams involving fake Barbet breeders and puppies are common due to desperation of buyers searching for this rare breed.
Meeting breeder requirements and unpredictable litter availability make the Barbet dog a difficult breed to obtain. Less availability means higher prices for buyers seeking this rare pup.
Niche Appeal of the Barbet
The Barbet remains largely unknown outside of France. The breed does not have widespread mainstream popularity or exposure. This niche status enhances the Barbet’s rarity.
- Most people, even dog lovers, have never heard of the Barbet breed before.
- The Barbet does not make the top lists for most popular dog breeds.
- There is limited media representation of Barbets in TV, movies, and advertising.
- Availability in shelters, rescues, and puppy mills is extremely low.
- Finding Barbet dog products like toys, supplies, and accessories can be difficult.
- The niche nature of the breed limits “casual” purchases from average pet owners.
Without widespread exposure and popularity, the Barbet remains an obscure and rare breed choice compared to well-known dogs like Labs or German Shepherds.
Use as a Specialized Hunting Dog
The Barbet was originally bred as a versatile hunting dog adept at retrieving waterfowl. While no longer used primarily for hunting, the Barbet’s legacy as a specialized gundog makes it rarer than general companion breeds. Key info about the Barbet’s hunting heritage includes:
- Historically used by French hunters to retrieve birds from lakes and rivers due to thick, waterproof coat.
- Ideal for hunting waterfowl like ducks or swimming upland game birds.
- Strong swimming, retrieving, and marking instincts from centuries of selective breeding.
- Curls and beard help protect face and eyes from reeds and brambles in the water.
- Webbed toes aid swimming ability and paddling in the water.
- Hunting requires unique traits not found in most family companion dogs today.
The Barbet’s original purpose as a versatile gundog for waterfowl hunting gives the breed more specialized attributes compared to other family pets. This results in lower breed numbers focused on maintaining its hunting heritage.
Conclusion
In summary, the Barbet remains a quite rare dog breed that originated as a water retriever in France. Strict breeding practices, lack of major kennel club recognition, limited breeder availability, niche status, and hunting lineage all contribute to keeping Barbet numbers low worldwide. However, efforts by dedicated breeders are steadily increasing the global Barbet population. Over time and with proper management, the Barbet may become less obscure and gain more mainstream popularity but is likely to remain on the rarer side.