Happy 6th Birthday to the puppies from Barbets Betsy and Boree

So hard to believe that my very first litter of Barbets were born 6 years ago, to the beautiful Barbets Betsy and Boree, since then Boree has gone on to father a few more litters and done a grand job of producing some healthy dogs for the genepool so as I thought a good choice in 2008 and I was not alone as others have thought the same .

The only 2 Barbets missing at the 1 year old celebration was would you believe but Betsy as she was in season! and Odo, otherwise it would have been the perfect family shot, but hey to capture 6 out of 7 is still an achievement. 

6 years old...almost grown up!

This was the First registered  Barbet litter born in the UK, a slice of history.

Betsy and Boree January 2008.

Remy, Dolly,Nenu, Baxter, Dylan and Bepop 1st Birthday picnic

Dolly,Remy,Bepop,Baxter,Bentley,Nenu and Dylan 1st Birthday picnic

Griffon d'arret Francais 1863 2nd prize

CLASS 24th. - Barbets and stop Griffons.

1st   SUBCLASS. - Dogs spaniels.
Barbet large breed. - Grand Russian Barbet, etc..

1 ^st Prices Gold Medal 100 fr. - Mr.Hubert, Poodle (Mouton).

2 ^nd   Prices Silver Medal 75 fr. - Mr. Dei Ze (Rustic).

3 ^rd Prices Silver Medal 50 fr. -Mr. Jerome, Poodle (Mouton).

2nd SUBCLASS. - Dog griffons.
Griffon French or Chow. - Austrian Griffon, etc..

1st PRIZE: Medal golden100 fr. -Mr. Gasnier, Retriever French griffon (Minos).

2   PRICE:. Medal money 75 fr. -Mr. Masson , Dog to stop Griffin (Broussaille).

3   PRICE:Medal money50 fr. - Baron Roger De Brinont, French Dog (Marius).

4 PRICE: Medal money. -Mr. Mii.leret On omirecourt, Bitch scribbles stop (Lamiche).

5 PRICE: Bronze Medal. - Mr.BORDEAUXGriffon stop (Sultan

Barbet dog history

This was written in 1881 and we now have some more images of the Grand Barbet 'Lowe'

The name barbet , which for three centuries was given to all the setting dogs with long hair, was replaced since by that of caniche, so the origin of the name is obviously duck. For a long time cane [male duck .fr] indicated the male barbet , and caniche the female. But the barbet is not a poodle, the blind dog. In certain aptitudes for hunting, the barbet has a little of the spaniel and the griffon, and much of the poodle by its aspect and its conformation. Like the spaniel, this dog originates from the sheepdog of the north. Over time, crossings and the climate, the barbet became what it is nowadays. I do not believe that the breed is well fixed; what causes me has to think this are the differences that one frequently finds in it. At the Dog Show of 1863, there was a prime barbet, Lowe owned by Mr. Favre. This dog had a head which slightly resembled a small Newfoundland, only the ears were longer and were covered with wool, but the muzzle, a little longer, was almost bare; long hair did not cover the eyes, as is found in almost all barbets.

The barbet, such as I know it, is of average size, strong enough to bring back a hare; its body, is entirely covered with long wool which falls down in front of the eyes. The ears are long, less long however than those of the poodle; though very squat, it is higher on legs than the poodle. The foot is large and broad. The eyes, set round in the head, when one sees them under the hair which hides them, have a strange expression which reveals much intelligence and kindness. I have never looked at the eyes, so full with devotion, of a poodle or of a barbet without feeling attracted towards him, without stroking him.

Barbet history preview

Louloute -Grand Barbet 1863 taken at the first Dog Show in Paris

A big thank you to Philippe Touret for the drawing and photograph.

The drawings and photos will be added to the bibliography on the Novaforesta site.

Agrippine the Barbet RIP

At 11 years old Agrippine the Barbet has joined another world, hopefully full of cats and rabbits that she can chase forever. This lovely dog was Bepops Mum, and the photo is of her before her first haircut. Bepop is very like her Mother I think, and my thoughts are with the family of Agrippine as they have such a presence in your life that they leave a terrible void.

Dog History and confusion

This has been sent to me by one of our Barbet owners in the UK, and it is worth a read as for me it highlights why there are disputes throughout the world on the history of certain breeds including the Barbet. People see a painting or a photograph that potentially has a historical link to their breed of dog and then claim it to be part of their dog history. The link below shows paintings, and the confusion surrounding it and is very well written.
Dog history

When I read about the Barbet and its history on websites around the world, I feel quite sad about the future as there are so many confusing accounts. I feel sorry for anyone in 100 years looking back in time, as this slice of Barbet history being made will be nonsense to any good researcher, and where will they find out information as websites will come and go, will there be internet archives available? we have history available to us from books written centuries ago for our present research.
The history of the Barbet in the UK (which will be documented on paper records) will only be facts although I would like to offer explanations as to why the breed has struggled in mainly France I will not as it will then become my personal opinion mixed with facts and for any historical content in the future it would be useless.

Kennel Club update......sob,sob,sob

I am very sad to write that I have had confirmation from the Kennel Club that as of July 2012 they have not accepted the Barbet as a recognised breed in the UK.
Why ?  I hear you shout.

Well, read below:

a.     The breed has only had a FCI standard since 2006 and is still classified as a developing breed by the FCI.

b.     Whilst it was acknowledged that the breed is fully recognised in France, there was still a very small UK gene pool. The Sub-Committee noted from the detail submitted on the two latest litters that they were very closely related, with the sire and dam of each being litter mates.

c.     The incidence of hip dysplasia in the breed was noted and the club was advised to monitor scores of UK stock closely.

I have asked the Kennel Club already to explain in more detail why they have classified the Barbet as a developing breed as that statement is incorrect and those details were not in my application, the correct details were given.
 As for the incidence of hip dysplasia in the breed, was my application not read at all........shall I give them to you again.

Betsy 14 -B
Bepop 9-A
Ebene 9-A
Dolly 12-B
Dudley 6-A
Dora 2-A
Diamond Black 5-A
Duplo 6-A
Eton 8-A.

Good results I hear you say.

Another Muddy Grandma

As promised this is 'Grandma Betsy, taking the old French expression ''., Être crotté comme un barbet'' in hand. Did she smell bad? absolutely those who were there will remember well. This was the day of the Barbet Club photo shoot with Nick Ridley and before they were required to pose in front of the camera we thought they should have a run in a field, it was a dry day and we had a DRY field. Anyway a quick dip inbetween posing dogs and she was as good as new, and some of the resulting photos  are being sold as 'stock' photos for the breed so it turned out to be a wonderful day. 

Barbet puppy photo request granted

Happiness is....a full belly

She is just a sweetie

He is getting bigger

Results of the first dog show in Paris 1863- Barbets and Griffons

  24th CLASSE. — Barbets et Griffons  d'arrêt.

1st  SOUS-CLASSE. — Chiens barbets.
Barbet de grande race. — Grand Barbet russe, etc.

1^st PRIX Médaille d'or de 100 fr. — M. Hubert, Caniche (Mouton).

2^nd  PRIX Médaille d'argent de 75 fr. — M. Dei;zÊ (Rustique).

3^rd PRIX Médaille d'argent de 50 fr. — M. JÉrÔme, Caniche (Mouton).

2nd SOUS-CLASSE. — Chien griffons.
Griffon français ou Bouffe. — Griffon autrichien, etc.

1er PRIX : Médaille d'or de 100 fr. — M. Gasnier, Chien d'arrêt griffon français (Minos).

2  PRIX : Médaille .l'argent de 75 fr. — M. Masson , Chien d'arret griffon (Broussaille).

3  PRIX : Médaille d'argent de 50 fr. — M. le baron Roger De Brinont, Chien français (Marius).

4  PRIX : Médaille d'argent. — M. Mii.leret D'omirecourt, Chienne griffonne d'arrêt (lamiche).

5  PRIX : Médaille de bronze. — M. BORDEAUX, Griffon d'arrêt (Sultan