Canine Chronicle Ad Nov/Dec 2015

Barbet Puppy Kit at 6 Months

Isabel was home this weekend from NYU and she helped me get some new photos of our puppy Kit. She is a beautiful combination of the best parts of her mom Nessa and her father Murdoch.  We are so pleased with this entire litter and we have so much to look forward to in the future. Several of these puppies are in show homes and are off to promising starts. Best of all, they are fun and silly pups who are a joy to live with.

Kit looks so much like Nessa in the face

Kit has beautiful extension and smooth movement

The Search For The Perfect Barbet Puppy

The first in a four-part series written by guest poster FLA, the owner of a 6 month old Barbet puppy

The Quest Begins: Finding the Right Puppy Is Not Easy

Not too long ago, I was the typical inexperienced puppy buyer. We wanted a pup with the qualities we loved most in our last dog, a joyful rescue with a calm temperament who enjoyed our active lifestyle.  Finding one would be easy, or so we thought at first.

Once our intention of launching a puppy search was made known to friends, the advice came pouring in. 

‘Go to the shelter and just pick one.’

‘There are great puppy finder sites online.  You can get a good dog a lot cheaper there.’

‘My friend knows someone whose dog had puppies.  Want me to ask her?’

‘Don’t spend too much, that would be crazy.’

‘Get a doodle.’

And on, and on.  Everyone had an opinion, but the variety of advice left my head spinning.  So we launched our own search.

Weeks were spent visiting shelters in person and on their websites, checking in daily for just the right match.  For many reasons, we began to understand that what we were looking for was not likely to be found there. 

Our next step was to run online searches for puppies.  The results were shocking.  Pretty pictures and cheap prices were hiding an industry I soon realized we needed to stay far, far away from.   Deeper digging revealed pictures and information that I wish I could forget, but cannot.

Next, I listened to the voice of popular opinion that labradoodles are the way to go.  Finding one was easy.  Sifting through all of the information was not.  The more I read, the more disheartened I became.  A discussion about why I did not get a labradoodle is a long and detailed story though, and too far off topic for this post.

I slowly began to realize that if we wanted a quality puppy, we had to look for the people and not the dog.  

To read the rest of the article, click here

The Barbet is Not the Perfect Dog

Please remember that the Barbet is an extremely rare breed. There are around 200 dogs in the United States, and we are very careful with how we breed our dogs. The Barbet is easily found through internet searches, and by reading and researching, many families will decide that this is the perfect breed for them. However, there are not many available puppies in America and this is not a dog that can be easily obtained. We are not breeding to produce puppies for a wait list; we are striving to improve this breed with each generation and will breed only when we feel the combination of dogs is ideal. 

Why the Barbet is Not the Perfect Dog

1. The long, curly hair requires commitment and devotion. Without constant upkeep, the Barbet's hair will mat at the skin and nothing other than a shave will rectify the mess. This is not fair to the dog, so if you aren't willing to keep the hair clean and free of mats and tangles, find a breed with easier coat care. 
2. They need attention. They are likely to get into trouble; they'll dig, they'll rip things apart, they startle and bark...  Barbets need lots of one on one time with their owners and time spent training is hugely beneficial to both dog and human.
3. They're weird. Without lots of socialization and exposure, the sensitive Barbet can become fearful. Even with extra time in the world, they often go through adolescent fear periods. An understanding owner who gives gentle, effective leadership is necessary for a well-adjusted adult Barbet.
4. Nobody knows what they are. Endless questions of 'Is that a Labradoodle?' 'Is that a Poodle?' 'How does your dog see?'  Perhaps as time goes on, the general public will become more aware of the breed, but for now, expect to do a lot of explaining.
5. They do shed and they are not hypoallergenic. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, even though many people with allergies are fine with a Barbet. The hair does shed, but it does not fall out into the floor or your car's carpeting.  However, the loose hairs stay within the curls and must be combed out or they will soon become woven into mats. 
6. You cannot go on a grooming vacation. The dogs will suffer.

©Judy McMaster Descutner 2015

American Barbet Weekend at the Canadian Dog Shows

Last weekend, we loaded up the RV and headed just over the Canadian border to Welland, Ontario where we met up with other Barbet from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Vermont, and Ontario. The weather ranged from sunny and beautiful to crazy winds and rain. We were thrilled with the results of our girls at the show.

Kit, Hickory Tavern Fool For Paris, is 6 months and one week old. She won Winners Bitch 3 of 4 days and earned 6 points towards her Canadian Championship. She loves to show and makes the judges smile!

Marlee, GrCh Hickory Tavern Secret Entourage, earned her Grand Championship title. In just 9 shows, Marlee completed these title requirements and becomes the first American bred Barbet to be a Grand Champion with the CKC. There are just a handful of Grand Champions in the CKC (her father being one of them) and we are very proud of our sweet girl!

We are super proud to have bred these girls!

GrCh Hickory Tavern Secret Entourage - Marlee

Ch Hickory Tavern Intl Intrigue x GrCh Neigenuveaux's Gambit

Hickory Tavern Fool For Paris - Kit

Nuphar's Gift-Wrapped x GrChEx Flacon d'Paris of Neigenuveaux