Below are some of the most common questions asked when new inquiries come in. Have a look and if yours is not there, just reach out.
What are your breeding goals: Although we have a small breeding program here at Noblespirit Barbets, it is always with a clear intent to move this amazing breed forward keeping sound structure, good diversity and a biddable temperament at the top of our list to be carried forward to the future generation. Please have a look at Finding A Responsible Breeder
Do you health test your dogs: Yes, all of our dogs are orthopedically checked for hips and elbows clearances and reported to OFA. Hearts and Eyes are tested and also reported to OFA. We also test for breed specific such as the potential for prcd-PRA.
Are your dogs and puppies registered: Yes, all of our dogs are registered with CKC (Canadian Kennel Club.)
Are the puppies registered: All pups are CKC registered on a Non-Breeding (pet) registration and sold with a spay/neuter contract. With the exception of pups in our breeding program. As we can’t keep every pup chosen to go forward in our breeding program to live here with us, we are always interested in homes that would like to participate in our breeding program. For more information please reach out to us.
Shipping puppies: We do not ship our puppies. All owners must come in person to pick up their pups and spend time that day with us for the transfer. We do not ship puppies as freight but at this age, pups usually fit well under the seat in front of you on planes.
Are Barbets considered hypoallergenic: While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, it’s possible to find less-allergenic purebred dog breeds that are better suited for allergy-sufferers. A Barbet may be one of those breeds that can cause less reaction for those with allergies to dogs.
Is it easy to maintain a Barbet’s coat: A Barbet’s coat is always growing, their hair requires minimal of 1-2 times weekly grooming sessions inbetween visits to a groomer. This is serious a commitment for the owner on a weekly basis. Most Barbet owners schedule an appointment with a groomer every 4-6 weeks and continue to groom their Barbet at home on a weekly basis.
How do you raise the puppies: All our pups are raised in our home on an enriched program. They are the focus of our attention from inception till the day they leave with their family. We provide an enriched program with constant appropriate stimulation. For more information please see Life In The Puppy Pen.
What do you feed the puppies: Of course, mum takes care of that for the first 3 weeks minimum after which, depending on the circumstances, we introduce a high end puppy kibble such as Farmina. To this we slowly introduce fresh food to “top dress.” The pups, before leaving the nest will have tried raw dog food, dehydrated dog food and Kefir, yoghurt, raw meaty bones and cottage cheese to name just a few. A complete array of delicacies. A variety of different foods are introduced slowly to test for tolerance.
Why can’t I pick out a puppy myself: Our goal is to place each of our puppies in a well-suited home where the owners will provide a home matching the puppy’s personality, and where the puppy will meet the owners’ expectations. After spending 8-9 weeks with these puppies we get to understand their personalities and how they interact leading us to successful placements within our puppy homes. Our puppies are not sold on a first come, first served basis and are not picked out by the new puppy owner themselves. Through our puppy application, telephone conversations and puppy visits we are able to determine the best pup for that owner. We test the pup’s temperament and structure between 7-8 weeks after which we carefully consider matching the correct puppy with the correct puppy home.
What’s included when I pick up my pup: Prior to going home all the pups are vet checked, typically have had their first vaccine, will have been dewormed, have a microchip installed and will carry 30 days of free Trupanian pet insurance. Pups will be have been temperament tested, structurally evaluated and will have had a chiropractic adjustment as required. The pups go home with a bound booklet complete with a 3 generation pedigree of your pup, copies of all health clearances and pictures of the dam and sire, feeding guide and deworming schedule, tips on helping to transition your pup and a grooming guide with suggested grooming tool list, a 3 day supply of food, toys as a reminder of mom and their siblings to make the transition to your home as easy as possible.
When do you recommend I spay/neuter my puppy: New research in the past few years has indicated there is overwhelming value in letting your puppy mature to a minimum of 18-24 months before considering to sexually alter your dog. We firmly believe that “later” is “better” and highly recommend a minimum of 18 months before sexually altering your pup. Here are just 2 valuable research papers published amongst many, with information to consider: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations by Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVSM. Are There Behavior Changes When dogs Are Spayed and Neutered by by Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC
Noblespirit Barbets 