Skip to content

Poodle versus Barbet. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last updated on April 14th, 2022 at 07:19 pm


Quick Links: Table of Contents

Poodle Versus Barbet: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Poodle and the Barbet? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Poodle and the Barbet better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Poodle and the Barbet.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Poodle and the Barbet is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Poodle and for the Barbet. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Poodle and the Barbet.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Poodle or the Barbet.

Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:

  • The Standard Poodle
  • The Miniature Poodle
  • The Toy Poodle


  • However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.

    Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.

    In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.

    Poodle versus Barbet: Overview

    A very important difference between the Poodle and the Barbet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Poodle is a large-sized dog while the Barbet is a medium-sized dog.

    Furthermore, the Poodle belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

    On the other hand, the Barbet belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

    Poodle versus Barbet: Comparison Table

    The table below compares the Poodle to the Barbet based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

    When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

    Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

    However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

    Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Poodle and the Barbet

    FactorPoodleBarbet
    Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
    Does NOT Shed5/54/5
    Does NOT Drool5/55/5
    Easy To Groom1/51/5
    Life Span12 to 15 years13 to 15 years
    General Health2/54/5
    Low Prey Drive4/53/5
    Does NOT Bark or Howl4/53/5
    Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
    Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
    Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
    Weight
  • Standard Poodle: 38 to 70 pounds
  • Miniature Poodle: 10 and 20 pounds
  • Toy Poodle: 4.8 to 11.6 pounds
  • 37 to 62 pounds
    Easygoing2/53/5
    Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
    Dog Friendly4/54/5
    Friendly Toward Strangers4/53/5
    Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
    Does NOT chew on things2/54/5
    NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
    Minimal Exercise Needs2/53/5
    Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/53/5
    Good For Novice Owners5/52/5
    Affectionate With Family5/55/5
    Kid-Friendly5/54/5
    Easy To Train5/54/5
    Intelligence5/54/5
    Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
    Height
  • Standard Poodle: 24 to 27 inches
  • Miniature Poodle: 10 to 15 inches
  • Toy Poodle: less than 10 inches
  • 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder
    Average Lifespan13.5 years14.0 years
    Average Price
  • Standard Poodle: $1980
  • Miniature Poodle: $2500
  • Toy Poodle: $2760
  • No Data
    Price Range
  • Standard Poodle: $1400 – $2500
  • Miniature Poodle: $1500 – $3000
  • Toy Poodle: $1894 – $3500
  • No Data
    Temperament Score87.2 percent100.0 percent
    Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds6146

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Poodle in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Barbet. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Barbet is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Poodle is a better pet than the Barbet. So, you should get a Poodle!

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Barbet

    Below is a list of where the Poodle and the Barbet are most different:

  • Poodles are good for new dog owners. However, Barbets are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Barbet

    The Poodle and the Barbet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Poodle and the Barbet are most similar:

  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet are very easy to train.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Poodle and the Barbet are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Poodle versus Barbet

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Poodle and the Barbet.

    Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:

  • Standard Poodles: Standard Poodles are the biggest of the poodle varieties. Adult Standard Poodles are 24 inches to 27 inches tall and weigh between 38 pounds and 70 pounds. To learn more about Standard Poodle Growth, Weight, and Height, check out our article on Standard Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • Miniature Poodles: Miniature Poodles are mid-sized poodles. An adult miniature poodle grows to weigh between 10 and 20 pounds (4.5 kg to 9 kg) and stands between 10 to 15 inches tall (25.4 cm to 38.1 cm). To learn more about Miniature Poodle Growth, Weight and Height, check out our article on Miniature Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • Toy Poodles: The Toy Poodle is the smallest official member of the poodle club. Although there is a smaller poodle variety that is smaller than the toy poodle. This tiny poodle variety is called the micro/teacup poodle. However, this micro/teacup poodle size category is not recognized by the official poodle association, The Poodle Club of America. Adult toy poodles are no more than ten inches tall withers. In weight, a toy poodle will grow to be about 4.8 to 11.6 pounds in weight. To learn more about Toy Poodle Growth, Weight and Height, check out our article on Toy Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.

    See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:

    Poodle Sizes

    On the other hand, Barbets weigh 37 to 62 pounds when fully grown. Barbets are 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Barbet Versus the Poodle

    The Barbet has a better temperament than the Poodle.

    This is because the temperament score for the Barbet is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Poodle is 87.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 87.2 percent, the Poodle has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Barbet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Poodle and the Barbet by measuring the temperaments of 266 Poodles and 1 Barbets.

    The Popularity of Poodle versus Popularity of Barbet

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Poodle and the Barbet over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Poodle is more popular with dog owners than the Barbet. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Poodle is 6 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Barbet is 146 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Poodle

    Popularity of Poodle

    Popularity of Barbet

    Popularity of Barbet

    Year Standard Poodle Popularity Rank Barbet Popularity Rank
    2013 8 no data
    2014 7 no data
    2015 8 no data
    2016 7 no data
    2017 7 no data
    2018 7 no data
    2019 6 no data
    2020 6 145.0
    2021 5 148.0

    Health Problems of Poodle versus Health Problems of Barbet

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Poodle and the Barbet are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Barbet is prone to more genetic health problems than the Poodle.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Barbet than for the Poodle.

    4 health tests are recommended for Poodle while 5 tests are recommended for the Barbet.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Poodles and in Barbets.

    Poodle Health Problems

    Poodles are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Poodle puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Poodle puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Poodle breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Poodles for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Poodles here.

    Barbet Health Problems

    Barbets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Barbet puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Barbet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Barbet breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Barbets for:

  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Barbets here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Poodles and Barbets

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Poodle Breed is Basic Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Poodle ranks 1 out of 16 dog breeds for Basic Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 270 Poodles, 2 of them had Basic Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Poodles, and how common these diseases are in Poodles relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Basic Cardiac problems: Rank 1 out of 16 Dog Breeds
  • Neonatal Encephalopathy W/Seizures problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Sebaceous Adenitis problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 3 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 4 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 7 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 11 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 14 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 21 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 49 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 57 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 61 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 73 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 84 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 88 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 100 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 127 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Barbet Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Barbet ranks 69 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 106 Barbets, 2 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Barbets, and how common these diseases are in Barbets relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 69 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 78 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 81 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 158 out of 182 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Poodle and in Barbet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Poodle and the Barbet:

    Disease Poodle Rank Barbet Rank
    Basic Cardiac problems 1 out of 16 dog breeds Not Common
    Neonatal Encephalopathy W/Seizures problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Sebaceous Adenitis problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 3 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 4 out of 8 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 7 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 11 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 14 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 21 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 49 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 57 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 61 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 73 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 84 out of 115 dog breeds 69 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 88 out of 144 dog breeds 78 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 100 out of 198 dog breeds 81 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 127 out of 182 dog breeds 158 out of 182 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Barbet

    Poodles do not like to be left alone.

    Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.

    See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.

    Barbets do not like to be left alone.

    Do Poodles shed more than Barbets?

    Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.

    Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles

    Barbets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Barbet?

    Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.

    Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.

    Barbets require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Barbet?

    Poodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.

    Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.

    Barbets get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Barbets?

    Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.

    Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..

    Barbets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Barbet?

    Poodles are very easy to train.

    Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.

    To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.

    Barbets are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Barbet

    Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Barbets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Barbets?

    Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Barbets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Barbet?

    Poodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Barbets have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Barbets?

    Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Barbets bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Barbets Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Barbets can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Barbet

    Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Barbets have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Barbets Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Poodles can tolerate hot weather.

    Barbets can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Barbet?

    Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.

    Barbets adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Poodle or the Barbet?

    Poodles are very good for new dog owners.

    Barbets are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the poodle compares to other breeds aside from the Barbet. So, see below the links to the comparison of the poodle to other breeds:

    poodle versus Lancashire Heeler     poodle versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     poodle versus Puggle     poodle versus Manchester Terrier     poodle versus Irish Water Spaniel     poodle versus Bluetick Coonhound     poodle versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     poodle versus Bordoodle     poodle versus Catahoula Bulldog     poodle versus Shetland Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Poodle versus Barbet. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Poodle and the Barbet better suits you and your family.