Our Dogs
We have two female barbets that form the basis of our breeding stock. Both girls were born in France and imported into the UK after serving their rabies quarantine period in France. The two girls are completely unrelated allowing us to chose from as wide a selection of males as possible and maintain good genetic variability within the UK barbet population.
Bepoppy
Bepoppy.
Photograph by Christina Dietmann
Bepop, originally `Poppy` with the `Be` added to comply with the French naming system, was born on 19th March 2006 in France. She spent her quarantine period with Mme Elaine Fichter near Lyon and during this time passed the T.A.N (Test d'Aptitudes Naturelles) the basic water retrieving test. She arrived in the UK on 04/02/2007 and quickly settled into family life. Very much the `ladette`, Bepop is every inch the water dog and will get wet at any opportunity and if that means a muddy puddle then why not? Despite her air of being slightly out of control this is really just excitement and enthusiasm for any task she is required to perform. She passed her Grade 1 Gundog test after being trained at home and is always eager to please with any new challenge presented to her. She has a British Veterinary Association Hip Score of 9 which is the European equivalent of A2 and has a current B.V.A Eye Test certificate.
In 2008 Bepop had a litter of 12 puppies after a mating with Caya de la Serve de la Chapelle d'Alexandre, a black male with a white chest, in France. The litter comprised 6 males and 6 females, all were black or black with white markings.
Although by no means a frequent visitor to the showring, at the Nationale d`Elevage in Le Blanc in 2009 Bepop was given an aggregate score of "Excellent -" after marking by three judges. Bepop is currently training towards her grade 2 gundog test and is regularly used on a local shoot for beating, flushing and occaisional picking up when required.
Betsy Bonheur
Betsy Bonheur.
Barbet photograph by Christina Dietmann
Betsy Bonheur De La Baie Des Landes or to us just plain Betsy was born on the 7th of February 2006 in Arcachon, France. She remained with her breeder, Nicole Cuffel until she was able to enter the UK on 04/01/07 although we were able to visit her in France at eight weeks old and again when she was six months old. Despite her stamina, strength and turn of speed across open ground, Betsy is very much the `lady`. She loves the water but prefers to avoid the mud although she will go out in all weathers and cover any distance required of her. At home Betsy is very companionable and is usually found lying at someones feet. Betsy has a British Veterinary Association Hip Score of 15 which is the European equivalent of B1 and has a current B.V.A Eye Test certificate.
Without being able to show our dogs in the UK, the girls show careers have been somewhat limited but we have felt it important to venture across the channel to confirm our view that our girls are of a high standard. At Betsy`s first visit to a dog show in 2007 she was entered into the Intermediate Female Class which she won, with Bepop gaining a creditable third place.
National d`Elevage, Intermediate Female Class 2007
In March 2008 Betsy had a litter of 7 puppies after a mating with Borée di Barbochos Reiau de Prouvenco, a brown male from France originally but now living in Holland. The litter comprised 5 males, 2 black and 3 brown and 2 brown females.
At only her second visit to a dog show, the Nationale d`Elevage in Le Blanc in 2009 Betsy was given an aggregate score of "Excellent +" after marking by three French judges and went on to be awarded the Reserve Certificate in a competitive class against bitches from six other countries.
National d`Elevage, Barbet Open Female Class 2009
Betsy had a second litter at the end of November 2009 after a mating with Bachus di Barbochos Reiau de Prouvenco. The litter of 6 puppies comprised 5 females ( 4 brown and 1 black) and 1 brown male.
In 2010 Betsy passed the T.A.N (Test d'Aptitudes Naturelles). Although normally to be taken by dogs under three years old, Betsy was given special permission to take the test.
For further information about Novaforesta Barbets please
e-mail Wendy@novaforesta-barbet.org.uk