Barbet Dog is a wooly sporting breed. It is versatile, active and family oriented in nature. Barbet Dogs have existed in France since the 16th century but are relatively new in the United States. The dog’s name comes from the French word “barbe,” which means beard. Let’s talk about Barbet grooming styles!
Barbet Dogs have been in France throughout history. In the 20th century, Barbets entered the US. Hence, there are 500 Barbets in the US. Unfortunately, these dogs have many long-term health issues.
This blog is all about Barbet dogs. First, we will discuss how to groom a Barbet dog.
If you have seen a Barbet dog, you would have already realized that it is a hairy pet. Hence, things will get messy in your home. People often need help grooming their Barbet when they adopt it. Before getting into the details of grooming a Barbet dog, we will talk about why grooming is essential.
Why is grooming your dogs important?
- Grooming provides ventilation to your dog’s coat which eventually helps in healthy growth.
- Thoroughly brushing your dog removes away old, damaged hair.
- It also reduces the level of grease in the dog’s coat. But, on the other hand, too much oil on the pelt can cause your canine all sorts of skin problems.
- Dogs feel better after grooming because it lifts their mood.
- Grooming your dog improves your bonding.
- Grooming provides overall health benefits to your pup.
How to Groom a Barbet Puppy?
Let’s start with grooming a Barbet puppy. Adolescence is the most significant development phase in any animal’s lifespan. The same is the case with Barbets. However, Barbets are hairier than other dogs. Hence, they require more attention while grooming than other canines. Consequently, you must perform the grooming task carefully to give the best service to your dog.
Even though Barbet puppies have less hair on their coat than adults, you still need to pay attention to them. A Barbet puppy is highly vulnerable to diseases. Therefore, it is better to care for your dog when it is a puppy so you do not have to worry later.
First, make sure you put your puppy on comfortable bedding before grooming. Your puppy must feel safe and secure. It might require two people to groom a puppy since Barbet puppies have a terrible habit of jumping. As experts, we recommend that you play with your puppy before you start grooming. It would make your dog feel more comfortable. Gently brush it while making sure it does not jump.
Be patient throughout the activity. If your puppy struggles or makes sudden movements, take care of them. The grooming session should always end on a good note.
The Juvenile Barbet Dog
There are multiple opinions on whether to shave a young Barbet entirely. However, research and expert opinions suggest that you should shave a juvenile Barbet completely. Yes, you heard that right. However, after the puppy turns a little old, there will come a time when the hair is hard to manage.
Then, grooming the hair becomes relatively tricky for you. The hair gets tangled. Hence it is difficult for the dog to move freely. Shaving the hair is always a good solution. When the hair regrows, it is softer but coarser, so the entire coat is more suitable for the dog.
The Adult Barbet
The coat length of an adult Barbet depends upon its need. Multiple factors contribute to deciding the size of the Barbet. Having a perfect coat length protects the dog from cold. It keeps the dog warm and fuzzy. On the contrary, Barbets spend a lot of time underwater. It also takes a lot of time for the coat to dry. Therefore, deciding the length of the skin can be a tricky task. You need to maintain a balance between all the issues. People provide a lot of suggestions on the size, but typically we recommend around 1″ to 2″. However, you may increase or decrease it according to your dog’s ease. It would be best if you always decided based on what’s more comfortable for your dog.
The Pet Barbet Dog
Although most of the suggestions above are general, we will discuss grooming a Barbet as your pet here. Firstly, remember that your dog’s comfort is more important than anything. So as long as your dog is OK with gentle brushing, keep doing it. Similarly, if you are happy with hair trimming, go ahead. But when your pup gets slightly uncomfortable and shows annoyance, try to tone down your speed. Finally, ensure that you groom your dog properly.
Minor cuts and infections may occur as a result of mistakes. Take your dog to a professional groomer if you can’t do it. The groomers know the techniques to groom and shave the hair of the Barbets properly. They make sure the whole process is smooth and painless. Therefore, make your decision wisely.
The Show Barbet
We have discussed how to groom Barbets as pets. But now, we will discuss how to groom Show Barbets. These are Barbets who perform in different kinds of shows. If they do not act, they might participate in pet walks. It would help if you kept long coats for such dogs as they need to be in front of an audience.
Basic trimming is enough for Show Barbets. It would be best to bathe your Barbet several weeks before the show so the coat oils nourish the hair adequately.
Basic Barbet Dog Maintenance
You need to maintain your Barbet properly. It does not matter whether you consult a vet or do it independently. Check your dog’s eyes daily, and wipe away debris using a tissue. Check the ears every week. Ensure your dog remains still when you are checking its ears.
Grooming Styles
There are multiple grooming styles that you can adopt for your Barbet. For example, the top Knot is a cute hairstyle famous in posh pooches like Shih-Tzus and Apsos, etc. this hairstyle can be suitable for a Barbet too.
Summer cut is also a good option if you like short hair on your Barbet. Even though not many people opt for this haircut for their pets, it looks terrific.
The Optimal Barbet Grooming Style
Yes, it’s true. There is an optimal Barbet grooming style. It is the most suggested grooming style for Barbet dogs. According to experts, these features are essential to attain the optimal Barbet grooming style. The details and parts of the technique are listed below.
- Trim the topside of the tail of your canine.
- Trim your puppy’s hair shorter through the neck.
- Your dog must have a long beard and mustache.
- Trim the feet of your dog in a circular shape.
- Trim the legs of the Barbet into columns.
Conclusion
You can groom your Barbet based on your desires and choices. Just ensure whatever you do is suitable for the dog. However, you have a choice: you can professionally groom your Barbet with just a little effort or become an expert by learning a few essential tips. Now, it all depends on you.
Make sure you follow all the tips if you take the matter into your own hands. Keep brushing the dog whenever it is needed. Make certain dirt does not pile up in the dog’s coat.
Take care of your dog. If you want to adopt a Barbet, you must protect it. However, it will be worth the effort.