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If they are not there, they may be following me around the house and supervising me as I work. Barbets like to be with you most of the time, so you usually have someone wandering around with you. Sometimes they will sit out and watch the world go by with Chilli the cat – although she does like to tease them and get them to chase her!
We encourage our Barbets exploration and interaction within a safe environment, and adjust and interrupt what we are doing as necessary to support their needs. Young puppies are not good at waiting!
We teach language so that we can have proper conversations with our puppies. We take time to understand our puppies, what they think, and how they feel. Each puppy is an individual, and different to everyone else. We embrace their journey to be themselves, watching their personalities develop, their interests, things they like to do, and we note the things they don’t like to do. Puppies do not fit into a box, as defined by what is acceptable by people, they are living beings who need love, nurture, guidance, and education.
Puppies gain so much from living with their canine family as they develop, so our puppies do not leave home until they are 10 weeks old.
Raising healthy Barbet puppies means looking at the whole picture — genetics, environment, nutrition, medical care, and long-term wellbeing. Every choice we make has one goal: to give our dogs and puppies the best start in life and support them throughout their years.
We begin with genetics. Careful DNA testing ensures we understand exactly who our breeding dogs are genetically. This helps us make thoughtful decisions that protect the welfare of the puppies and support the preservation of the breed.
Alongside genetics, we carry out thorough health tests to confirm our breeding dogs are free from issues that could be passed on. Just as important is how puppies are raised: the environment they grow up in shapes their brain development, emotional security, and physical safety. A safe, nurturing setting allows them to flourish; without it, puppies may face developmental, physical, or psychological challenges.
Good health starts with good food. Our Barbets are raised on a fresh, home-cooked diet made with high-quality, varied ingredients that meet their nutritional needs.
We believe dogs thrive on real food, not commercial dog food. Poor nutrition has been linked to both physical conditions and behavioural issues, and research shows it is a significant factor in shortening a dog’s lifespan. With the average lifespan of dogs now around 10 years, giving them fresh, nourishing food is one of the most powerful ways we can support their wellbeing.
We take a careful approach to medication, giving only what is truly needed to benefit the dog. Vaccinations, flea/tick treatments, and wormers have their place, but over-medication can contribute to allergies, autoimmune issues, seizures, and other serious health problems. By weighing benefits against risks, we ensure our Barbets receive what is necessary — no more, no less.
Neutering removes part of the endocrine system, which plays a vital role in growth, development, and lifelong health. Hormones regulate countless processes in the body, and removing them can have significant detrimental effects on both physical and emotional wellbeing. Neutering does not resolve behavioural issues and, in our view, is only a sensible option when there is a genuine medical need.