Federation Cynologique Internationale

FCI Standard N°105 / 09. 05. 06 – French Water Dog – Barbet 

ORIGIN: France. 

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD: 21.02.2006.

Utilization 

Water dog used for hunting wildfowl.  Like all water dogs, the French Water Dog is more than just a retriever; he must search for, locate and flush out the game hiding in the water vegetation. He then retrieves the game shot by his master. Very resistant to cold, he shall go to water in all weather

Classification F.C.I. 

Group 8 Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs 

Section 3 Water Dogs. With working trial

Brief Historical Summary 

A very ancient breed, common throughout France, used for hunting waterfowl and described or mentioned in several works as early as the 16th century.

General Appearance 

A very ancient breed, common throughout France, used for hunting waterfowl and described or mentioned in several works as early as the 16th century.

Important Proportions 

Medium proportions, medium size, characterized by a thick, woolly coat which guarantees efficient protection against cold and damp.  The coat forms a beard (French barbe) on the chin, which gave the breed its name (Barbet).

Behaviour/Temperament 

Even disposition, very attached to his master, very sociable, loving water even when very cold.

Head 

The coat on the skull must fall onto the bridge of the nose. The beard is long and furnished; the mustache entirely covers the bridge of the nose.

Cranial Region 

SKULL: Rounded and broad. 

STOP: Defined.

Facial Region 

NOSE: Broad, with well opened nostrils; black or brown depending on the colour of the coat.

MUZZLE: Quite square. The bridge of the nose is broad. 

LIPS: Thick, well pigmented and completely covered by long hair. Black or brown edges. 

JAW/TEETH: Jaws of equal length. Scissors bite. Strong teeth. Incisors well developed and well aligned. 

EYES: Round, preferably dark brown. The rim of the eyelid is black or brown. 

EARS: Set on low (at eye level or slightly lower), long, flat, wide, covered by long hair hanging in strands. When brought together in front of the nose, the ears (including the hair) reach at least 5cms beyond it. The ear cartilage reaches further than the corner of the mouth

Neck 

Short and strong.

Body 

BACK: Solid with well sustained topline. 

LOIN: Arched, short and strong. 

CROUP: Round, seen from the side, in smooth continuation of the line of the loin. 

CHEST: Broad, well developed, deep, reaching the elbow; ribcage rounded but not barrel-like

Tail 

Slightly raised, carried above the horizontal when the dog is in action, low set, forming a slight hook at the tip.

Limbs 

FOREQUARTERS: 

SOULDERS: Oblique.  The scapulo-humeral angle varies between 110° and 115°

UPPER ARM: Strong and muscular. 

LOWER ARM: Straight, strong bone, upright, completely covered by long hair. 

HINDQUARTERS: 

UPPER THIGH: Slightly oblique, well muscled. 

HOCK : Low, well angulated. 

METATARSUS (REAR PASTERN) : Upright

Feet 

Round, broad, covered by hair

Movement/Gait 

Easy movement, the limbs moving in line with the body. Medium length foreleg stride with good thrust from the hindquarters

Skin 

Relatively thick

Coat

 HAIR: Long, woolly and curly; can form strands.  The coat is furnished, covering the whole body in a natural state. This is an essential characteristic of the breed.  The French Water Dog may be groomed in a specific manner to accomodate its work and maintenance. 

COULOUR: Solid black, grey, brown, fawn, pale fawn, white or more or less pied.  All shades of  red-fawn and pale fawn are permitted.  The shade should, preferably, be the same as the colour of the body

Size 

Height at the withers: 

• Dogs: 58cm – 65cm 
• Bitches: 53cm – 61 cm 

With a tolerance of +/- 1cm

 Faults 

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. 

• Head fine and narrow, muzzle thin and too long, lips thin. 
• Overshot or undershot. Wry jaw. 
• Light eyes. 
• Ears set high (higher than eye level), thin, short and narrow. 
• Neck long and thin. 
• Topline hollow.

• Loin long and weak. 
• Croup straight. 
• Chest narrow. 
• Tail set on high, curved over the back, curled over or lying on the croup or loin. Tail naturally absent or too short. 
• Shoulders straight. 
• Upper arm thin. 
• Forearm with fine bone; feathering. 
• Hindquarters: Upper thigh flat, hocks straight, feathering; presence of dewclaws. Feet fine and narrow, not covered by coat. 
• Skin thin. 
• Coat short, harsh, not woolly, not curly. 
• Colours: Any colour other than those mentioned in the standard

Eliminating Faults 

• Aggressive or overly shy. 

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified. 

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum