The Barbet contributed to the Briard and the Beauceron...both being shepherds.
There have been Theses on the subject of the origins of shepherds written by very serious veterinary doctors. The color( "fauve charbonné" with black or gray) is one of the oldest dog colors that exist( think about wolves). It seems very logical with a very old breed. Claiming its roots in the past is irrelevant unless you can show how they belong and evolved into what they are today.
http://www.shepherdswithbeardies.com/Scroll down and who will you see? Thank you, the webmaster for interesting information to further the Barbet. There are several of us with historical documents and proof on the matter and not all are involved in the Barbet.


1968 The color is written on the official SCC documents.

Janus
http://www.pawpeds.com/db/?a=p&id=784432&g=4&p=bar&date=iso&o=ajgrep

Hera

Recognize M Georgii( honorary member of the French Barbet club) and Mrs Fischer, his compagnon? Who are we looking to eliminate the barbet blood or the breeders? OR both? I'd say... anything with Barbet blood.


Good thing we all make mistakes and most of us wait til the pups grow up to decide what color they will be, right? We all know that the coat texture changes and so does the color. How many of us started with a dark brown and ended up with something looking like a pure poodle color?