Barbet

Health

Your ears have a certain tendency to develop otitis, so you need to carry out frequent inspections and consult a veterinarian if you find any abnormality in the region such as excess wax, itching and / or strong odor. As there are not many specialized kennels for the breed, there is strict control over the genetic diseases of the breed, which makes them resistant dogs with few problems. Some specimens, however, may have hip dysplasia, a type of malformation in the hip joint that causes intense pain and problems with locomotion. They may also have navel hernias and crooked teeth.

Curiosities

The barbet, while not very popular today, played a very important role in the development of other "water dog" breeds. It is believed to be the precursor of the poodles, the Irish water spaniel and also the otterhounds. In some parts of the world, the barbet is known as “griffon d’arret à poil laineux”. In addition to fetching downed birds, it is also commonly used to collect arrows.

Intelligence

The barbet is considered one of the smartest dogs in the world, but it does not officially appear on the canine intelligence lists simply because it is not a very popular breed around the world. Very obedient, he learns tricks and words quite easily and enjoys this kind of interaction with his favorite humans. The breed stands out even in dressage and agility tests.

Temperament

Full of energy and very lively, the barbet closely resembles the giant poodle in terms of temperament. A little suspicious of strangers, it can take a few minutes for him to give himself to those he doesn't know yet, but when that happens, they'll probably win a friend forever. Very attached to the humans of their family, they love to do varied activities with those they like, being able to keep company either on the couch or on a long walk. Although they are excellent companion dogs, they need a lot of physical and mental activity so that they don't become too agitated or even a little destructive.

Lifetime

The life expectancy of a barbet dog is 15 years.