A little about us....

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Growing up, my family always had one or two dogs in the house: Dachsund, Beagle, Selyham Terrier, Lab, St. Bernard, and even a Bichon-- I loved them all.  It wasn’t until about ten years ago when I discovered a breed called the “Barbet” or “French Water Dog”, a discovery that was truly driven by my desire for a dog that didn’t shed.  But the more I researched, the more I was intrigued by this breed, not yet recognized by the AKC, who had other characteristics that were more compelling: athletic and always ready to go; not particularly a barker; not a dog who felt he had to “protect” me; good with children; good with other dogs and cats; smart and funny; and a dog that would be a great companion.

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I bought my first Barbet as a pet.  I had no intention nor desire to “show” a dog or be involved in “Best in Breed” environments, and yet the first year my “pet” earned the title of No. 1 Barbet to compete in Dock Diving and was invited to the Dock Diving Nationals (generally, Barbet love the water).  I now have two Barbet and show them them both in Conformation and they also have earned titles in Nose Work, Farm Dog Certificate, Fast Cat and on and on.  As I mentioned, they are always ready to learn something new as long as you are around for the ride.  

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Of all the breeds of dogs with whom I have lived, it is the Barbet that surpasses them all for their sense of play, willingness to go anywhere and try anything... their great senses of humor, their generally congenial nature... I am so fond of the breed that at every show or event I try to get other people as excited as I am about the breed because I am truly a fan.  If you haven’t already met one I highly recommend it.  Go to a dog show or an AKC Meet the Breed event near you-- that’s where I met my first Barbet and that meeting has grown to a full blown love for the breed.  I encourage you to see for yourself.  

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I live with my husband and my two Barbet just about 15 miles north of Manhattan in the one stoplight hamlet of Sparkill, NY.  An old Dutch settlement, Sparkill is near the banks of the Hudson River, where the salt marshes grow, and the muddy banks are perfect for that “mudder” of a dog called a “Barbet”, a French word meaning “beard”, such as the one every Barbet has.  

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Michelle Jones,  Sparkill Barbet