The French water dog whose name comes from barbe, the French word for “beard,” is the Barbet.
The name suits the breed’s distinctive facial furnishings: Barbets have a long, woolly, curly coat that forms a noticeable beard and mustache. They were developed in France as versatile water dogs, flushing and retrieving ducks, geese, and other waterfowl from marshes, wetlands, and coastal areas.
The Barbet is not simply another name for the Poodle, although the breeds share historical connections. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Barbets and Poodles were sometimes treated as the same type of dog; the Barbet was also called barbone in Italy and Pudel in Germany. Modern Barbets are generally medium-sized, friendly, intelligent, and enthusiastic swimmers.
The breed nearly disappeared after World War II. French breeders began rebuilding it in the 1970s, and the American Kennel Club recognized the Barbet in 2020. Its continuously growing coat needs regular grooming to prevent mats.