Living with a Barbet
Life with a barbet
Before buying a barbet, it is good to ask yourself whether this breed is right for you, and also, whether you are suitable for the barbet!
The barbet is above all a family dog, even if it is one of the waterfowl hunters and retrievers, it has clearly become a companion dog today. What he loves more than anything is the presence of his master. If there is a garden, that's great, but even if there isn't, his master will remain his one and only concern. That's why I always ask future owners: "How do you live?" And is there a place for a dog in your life? ".
Because you have to know, the barbet is a pot of glue. He will go where you go, and will also do everything to deserve a tender gesture from you. He also learns very quickly, because he will do anything as long as you ask him nicely. Likewise, he is extraordinary with children and people with disabilities: patient, gentle and a wonderful playmate.
He's an excellent goalkeeper, but nothing more. It cannot be an attack or defense dog. For him, all humans are good, so he warns if someone approaches, but that's it
!
Finally, the barbet is a dog that does not shed. It is therefore considered hypoallergenic: people allergic to dogs can live with a barbet. It's always touching to see an allergic person come home to “smell” barbet, and realize that their allergies don't wake up.
They will finally be able to live with a dog!
Santiago at the Mondial de Madrid with his groomer and groomer Sidonie Comeau.
But if his hair never stops growing, that also requires special maintenance!
In other words, the choice is open to you:
If your choice is short hair, and this is the case for many owners, maintaining your barbet will be infinitely simpler. You have your dog clipped 3 to 4 times a year, the dog will remain cleaner, but do not forget to brush its tail and ears which must be longer than the rest of the body.
If, on the other hand, you want a long-haired dog, worthy of participating in beauty contests, it is obvious that you will have to accept the disadvantages. But know that grooming your dog is also a moment of sharing and contact between man and animal, it is often during grooming that we discover a tick or a wound...
As the hair grows back, you need to accustom your barbet to 3 essential tools.
1) A card made of fine curved metal teeth
2) A sturdy metal comb
3) A pair of sharp curved scissors
Then, every 15 days you remove the knots. To do this, you pass the card which will be used to brush against the grain to separate the strands that have formed and air out the fur. Then, the wide-toothed comb, passed deep down to the skin, will bring the knots to the surface and eliminate them. Scissors are only used to cut any excess strands.
