While in Italy, my husband met me in Florence to start our belated honeymoon. We chose to wait a year as we were wed in Guatemala on Nov 1, 2009 and after that trip and the holidays we were exhausted. While in Italy, we headed to the northwestern part of La Spezia and Cinque Terre which is known as the Italian Rivera. Besides wanting to hike between the villages of Cinque Terre, we were there to visit a Barbet breeder (and now friend) Ezia. Ezia is responsible for my male, Cinna who I got in France over 2 years ago. She has several beautiful Barbet and is working hard to preserve the old Barbet bloodlines. Not only is she a great breeder, Ezia is a amazing groomer with the most muscular arms I have ever seen. She taught me some tips and techniques to manage my pack of Barbet in America.

If you do not know what Barbet are that is quite ok as there are around 1100 in the world and around 50 in The United States of America. They are French Water Dogs and said to be the ancestor of the Briar and Bichon, and close cousins with the Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog and Spanish Water Dog. Besides photography, Barbet are my passion. My sister-in-law brought one back almost 10 years ago and ever since then I’ve been in love and used my design abilities to make a website to promote the Barbet. Now I am the President of the Barbet Fanciers Club of America and am working diligently for full recognition for the Barbet in the AKC.  You can read more about Barbet at www.americanbarbet.com or at www.barbetfanciers.com

Not a Barbet but still cute.. this is Bosco who was in for a wash at Ezia’s Grooming Salon in La Spezia

Here’s a Barbet… gorgeous dog eh?

Victor and Ezia with their Barbet

They are wanting some wine and prosciutto

Mr. Caravaggio.. he was the most BEAUTIFUL Barbet I have seen (sorry Cinna/Lia I still love you..)

Some scenery around Ezia’s La Spezia and Cinque Terre

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