Barbet Dog

Being the Barbet is a rare breed, breeders are cautious where the pups go. They don't want to find out down the line they have been used for a designer dog. Almost all Barbet have a spay/neuter contract as even though there are low numbers, every barbet is not right for breeding. 

Due to the extremely low number of Barbet in the world, little is known about long term health issues. Some issues that have exhibited themselves are ear infections, hip dysplasia, hernias, undescended testicles, undershot/overshot bites, Liver shunt, thyroid issues, and epilepsy. Of the few health issues that have exhibited themselves, most problems can be traced back 4-6 generations. Often this is due to limited breeding stock. The most common of these issues are ear infections, a problem in most water dog varieties. Ear problems can be minimized by proper ear care. A veterinarian should be consulted if the dog shows signs of an ear infection. Lifespan of the Barbet averages 13-15 years with one recently passing away at age 19.