So you are thinking about purchasing a Barbet puppy!

I personally think that you have made a marvelous choice. There are less than 200 of them in Canada. The Barbet is a great companion to the whole family. It is also a hunter & a retriever. This calm, pleasant, peaceful dog is very intelligent and a fast learner. 

There are a number of breeders in Quebec and Ontario. It is important to check around to make sure that the puppy you are going to purchase will be from a breeder that is reputable and not a mass puppy producer. One who is in good standing with the CKC, AKC & the National Clubs. Ask questions… 

Eg. How many puppies have you produced in the last couple of years? Is there somebody at home to take proper care of the puppies needs and to socialize them? The first 3 – 4 weeks of puppy care is very important. They need to be handled in the correct manner so that they will develop the way that they should. One important question to ask is, are they keeping something from the breeding to work with down the road? 

Ask about the health of the parents, what tests have been done before they were bred? Be advised that there are Epileptic Carriers in the backgrounds of many breeding Barbet. Make sure you ask the breeder exactly where in the pedigree these carriers are, how many there are and ask how the breeder is going about getting rid of it. Ask, are they part of an educational group that is working for the Health of the Barbet?

Ask how long they have been breeding? What type of food do they feed? Do their dogs hunt? Ask about the faults in the breeding pair. eg. bad alignment of jaws, entropic eyes, thyroid problems and general other health concerns. 

The puppy that you choose will be around for 12 – 15 years and you want to obtain the healthiest pup possible. Don’t purchase a puppy from someone just because they have a litter available. Do lots of checking. Find out when the breeders are planning their next litters. Not all breeders are puppy producers! There is a huge difference. As I said, Ask lots of questions.