If there are any puppies currently available, you will find them at the top of our breeders page:
If you are considering breeding the Barbet, please read the information on UK Health Testing and Registration as a first step in your journey, and read the following document offering advice on where to start :
Guidance for Prospective Barbet Breeders
It is natural for owners to believe their Barbet is exceptional, and some may contemplate breeding from their dog. However, responsible breeding requires careful consideration. The following points are intended to assist owners in making informed decisions:
1. Purpose and Contribution
Reflect on your motivations for breeding. Will the puppies you produce enhance the genetic diversity and quality of the Barbet population in the United Kingdom?
2. Breed Standard Evaluation
Consult the Illustrated Breed Standard available on the Barbet Club of GB website. Assess your dog against this standard. Seek the opinion of your dog’s breeder regarding its suitability for breeding. Participation in conformation shows may also provide valuable feedback from judges.
3. Ethical Considerations
Familiarise yourself with the Breeder Code of Ethics outlined by the Barbet Club of GB.
4. Health Screening
Review the health recommendations provided by the Club. Essential health tests include:
- BVA Hip and Elbow Scoring: Consult your vet or Club mentors for guidance on testing locations.
- BVA Eye Examination: Conducted by a BVA Panel ophthalmologist to assess ocular health and detect hereditary conditions such as Distichiasis and Entropion.
- DNA Testing: Confirm whether your dog was tested as a puppy. If not, contact reputable providers (e.g., Wisdom/MyDogDNA, Embark, Laboklin) for breeder testing kits. Results will indicate genetic status for conditions such as prcd-PRA, Von Willebrand Disease Type 1, D locus, and cddy/ivdd. Additional insights include coat type, furnishing genes, and colour traits.
- Dental Assessment: Monitor for developmental issues such as lingually displaced canines (linguoversion of mandibular canines) and confirm the presence of a correct scissor bite.
- Lingually Displaced Mandibular Canines
- Information From The Barbet Club of GB to all breeders. Points to Note:
- This is not a breed related condition, it is seen in many breeds and crossbreeds and in many countries.
- Can affect deciduous teeth (puppy teeth), adult teeth or both.
- Most with affected deciduous teeth go on to have unaffected adult teeth without surgical intervention.
- It is not a life limiting or ongoing health condition once treated.
- There is no definitive evidence of the cause, and no identified genetic components. Some papers suggest it is multi-factorial and polygenetic.
- There are no health or DNA tests currently available to test for this.
- Breeding decisions have to weigh up multiple considerations and in particular in a breed with a small population worldwide we should take care not to further reduce the gene pool.
- If you are contemplating breeding and would like further information regarding LDMC the club will be happy to guide you to further balanced information which will allow you to make an educated and informed decision. Please contact our Chair Julie McDougal – barbet.chairman@gmail.com
- 28/10/25
- Lingually Displaced Mandibular Canines
- Litter Health History: Inquire with your breeder about any health concerns among your dog’s littermates.
5. Temperament and Environment
Evaluate your dog’s temperament and your capacity to manage a litter. Consider whether your household and garden can accommodate puppies, especially if some remain beyond eight weeks due to delayed placements.
6. Rehoming Capabilities
Assess your ability to identify and secure suitable homes for the puppies. Given that Barbets may produce large litters, it is advisable to compile a list of prospective owners prior to mating and to collaborate with other breeders.
7. Contingency Planning
Prepare for potential complications, including:
- Infertility or pregnancy loss
- Requirement for caesarean section
- Inability to nurse, necessitating tube or bottle feeding every two hours
- Congenital defects such as hernias or cleft palates
- Developmental issues including dental abnormalities
Ensure all puppies undergo veterinary examination prior to placement and advise new owners to seek prompt veterinary evaluation. Be prepared for discrepancies between your vet’s findings and those of the new owners’ veterinarians.
8. Lifetime Support
Consider your willingness and ability to support puppy owners throughout the dogs’ lives. Are you prepared to accept a dog back or assist with rehoming should the owner’s circumstances change?
Stud Dog Selection
If you are confident in your preparedness and have consulted your dog’s breeder, the next step is selecting an appropriate stud. His conformation, health, and temperament should complement your female. To preserve genetic diversity, it is recommended that the breeding pair share no common ancestors within three generations (refer to the Barbet Club GB website – UK Health Testing).
Prior to mating:
- Obtain and review the stud dog’s health results.
- Arrange to meet the stud dog or appoint a trusted individual to do so.
- Discuss and formalise the stud contract in advance.
- Conduct progesterone testing to determine optimal mating timing and prepare for multiple attempts if necessary.
- Request the breeder to lift any breeding endorsements on the Kennel Club registration.
- Apply for a Kennel Name through the Kennel Club.
- Register the litter with the Kennel Club upon birth.
Responsibilities of Stud Owners
Stud owners are responsible for ensuring their male dog undergoes all relevant health and DNA testing. A veterinary health check prior to mating is strongly advised. The stud must exhibit sound temperament, as his genetic contribution will influence the entire litter.
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This guidance is based on the collective experience of Barbet breeders. The Barbet Club of Great Britain strongly recommends seeking veterinary advice before initiating any breeding plans.
The Kennel club have advice on their website:
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dog-breeding/first-time-breeders/
There are many considerations to breeding dogs. Whilst it may seem like an easy or fulfilling choice, it is a very serious decision. It is rewarding when everything goes well, but can be devastating if things go wrong. Anyone who intends to breed needs a good knowledge of all the aspects of breeding; there is a lot to learn to do the best for the dogs you breed with and the breed itself.
If you wish to be listed as a Barbet breeder and/or stud dog owner on the Barbet Club GB Website please check that you meet the criteria and recommendations in the Breeder Code of Ethics and UK Health Testing sections.
Please complete the application form attached below and email it to our health coordinator barbethealth@gmail.com to verify and approve your listing.
Breeding mentors:
Wendy Preston – wendy@barbet.org.uk,
Catherine Crowther – catherinecrowther@gmail.com,
Julie McDougal – juliekmcdougal@gmail.com
The breeding mentors are always available if you want information and advice on helping to preserve this wonderful breed.
BARBET CLUB OF GB 