The Barbet is a medium-sized, balanced dog, with characteristic thick, woolly, fleecy coat, assuring effective protection against cold and humidity. The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks, is slightly more than the height at the withers. There is a characteristic beard, which gave the breed its name. The accepted colours of the breed are solid black, brown, fawn, grey, pale fawn, white, or more or less pied. All shades of red-fawn and pale fawn are permitted. The shade should, preferably, be the same as the colour of the body. Grey and white are extremely rare; mixed colours (except with white) are considered a fault. The most common colors are black or brown with white markings. The birth figures worldwide for 2007 are 176. All born were black or brown some with white markings on the chest, chin, and legs.

The Barbet is not aggressive or timid, being docile and very devoted to its master. They are very sociable and fond of the water. The Barbet is essentially a water dog, used for wild fowling. Nevertheless, it has several abilities of a pointer/setter without being a true setter. The breed has no fear of the cold, going into water in all types of weather.