We’re so proud of her. We’re also ecstatic some families in America are starting to train the Barbet to flush as that’s what their original purpose was– not being a couch potato!

A great resource to begin training a Barbet in retrieving: http://www.barbetchasseurfrancais.info/training.html

Harry is a Barbet.  All but lost during the World Wars, this smart French breed is the predecessor to the Poodle and was traditionally a hunter’s assistant or sailor’s companion.   Harry  delights in ”informing” the family when people walk by his home, sleeping in, ice cubes, carrots, dog parks, dinghy rides ashore after a long day’s sail, and most of all, spending time with family.

http://www.knityourowndog.com/uk/2011/12/09/rare-breed-friday-barbet/

Every Friday from now on we’ll be showcasing a lovely rare dog breed. This week’s is the whimsical Barbet.

They’re described by their owners as sociable, joyful and intelligent. And while they look like the perfect cuddly dog, the Barbet Club of America warns that these loving pets take consistent training and lots of mental and physical exercise. And with that curly coat they need to be groomed very regularly or you’ll end up with a big knot of a dog.

Barbets are French in origin and were one of the first water dogs. They were first referenced in the fourteenth century and have been used over the centuries for hunting and as sailors dogs. Despite their historic popularity, the breed was nearly extinct by the end of World War II, but is being slowly reestablished.

If you’re tempted to knit a Barbet, I’d suggest some lovely boucle yarn in the standard colour (either black, brown or brown with white patches on the chest and/or paws). Use the Labrador pattern to knit your dog, because even though the Barbet and Poodle share a curly coat, the Poodle pattern is just too delicate and thin. If you want to make your Barbet extra shaggy, cover the body in loop stitches on every 4th row.

All pictures from Barbet Club of America website.

When he brought Xela home from Boston to Indiana he had a few other Barbet puppies that went to Chicago. Upon arriving in Columbus, he let the puppies out in the yard in about a foot of snow. All three of these 10 week old Barbet puppies went in full FRAP (frantic running and playing) mode licking, eating, sliding, and frolicking in the winter scape. Since then, every year during our first great snow fall we take our adult Barbet and perhaps puppies this year, too, outside for a romp. The cold doesn’t phase them as they chase frisbees, snow balls, and a blast.

The first Barbet to live in Minnesota, Coco, is in winter heaven as her owners sent me a photo of her. Her abominable-snow-bet face says it all.

In light of not taking life too seriously, some of the updates I receive from my wonderful puppy families are quite comical and bring joy to our day. From silly haircuts to odd tricks they’ve picked up, the updates make us appreciate how wonderful our Barbet owners families are.

Just a few days ago I received updates from Jacqueline who owns Lia’s sister, Olive. Jacqueline reported Olive’s doing wonderful and is happy and healthy. Also shared, is Olive’s predilection for snoozing on top of the couch covers which was learned at her dog sitters house. Walter and I shared a great laugh as when we were reading that very email, Olive’s sibling, Lia, was snoozing right behind us in the very same position which you can see in photos below.

So, in the spirit of thanksgiving, we greatly appreciate all of those who love animals, treat them with respect, and care for them as they would a beloved human family member. We are also so very thankful for those in our lives who have become what we consider family because of this beautiful Barbet breed.

One puppy who I have recently been able to see in person as his owner was passing through Indiana, Bric (formally Brogan) went to live in Wisconsin with his new mum Lynn. Not only does Bric remind me SO much of his grandfather, Cinna, he has become a great example of how wonderful this breed is. Lynn wrote me some very cute updates in the summer when Bric was a ~3 months old which I’ll share below:

… I thought you might need a Bric fix, so here are some of the latest pictures of him. As you can probably see, he is growing like a weed, he is 14 pounds and doing really well.

The outside pictures are from a walk on one of the properties we have, we had actually gone out to pick wild strawberries. That turned out to be pretty complicated because Bric loved them and once he discovered that when I was finding them and picking them he wouldn’t leave my hand alone and would gobble them before I could pick them. They are so tiny anyway, it is kind of silly to pick them, but it is fun to find them, and it was really fun to watch Bric find them. He thought it was the best game. I also gave him a carrot the other day and that was hilarious, he thought it was the best toy ever.

The other picture is titled stuffed toy on the bed. He was sacked out and looking adorable and my cell phone was handy.

He is such a good boy! He is good with everybody he meets. Barb’s grand daughters always want to take him for walks because according to them… Bella [his Barbet sister who lives 5 minutes away] takes them for walks and they can take Bric for a walk. They are 6 and 8 so they like to be in charge. I have worked with him to be good on a leash, so it sounds like the training paid off.

He rides so well in the car, I had a meeting yesterday for work and took him with me, he rode an hour and a half there and back (in a crate) without a peep. We took a walk on a public trail there after the meeting and met some rollerblades and a lot of bicycles. Roller blades were not his favorites, but he did get used to them a bit. And of course he is always swarmed with kids and teen girls.