Ginkgo Barbet – Experienced Breeders of Barbet Puppies
Since 2004, we, Stacy and Walter, have been devoted to the Barbet breed. Our journey began when Walter’s sister raised the third litter of Barbet in the States. Today, as proud AKC Barbet Breeders of Merit Silver based in Indianapolis, Indiana. We carefully plan one to two litters of Barbet puppies each year. Breeding is our passion, not a business, and our goal is to connect families with a well-bred, well-adjusted Barbet dog.
We believe our Barbet are far more than show dogs—they are versatile companions whose intelligence, and clownish joyful nature shines in everything they do. Above all, their health, safety, and happiness come first—winning is never as important to us as their overall well-being.
From Alaska to New Hampshire, our Ginkgo Barbet puppies are thriving in homes across the country. Most wait six months to a year for a puppy. We carefully match each pup to the right home and prioritize families dedicated to training, grooming, and enjoying life with this remarkable breed.
We are also longtime supporters of the Barbet Club of America, founded in 2009, where Stacy has served on the board, almost continuously, since its inception. She is the current Club President and manages club statistics, is the club's first AKC Delegate, and contributes pedigree data to Pawpeds—helping preserve the history of the Barbet dog for future generations.
We are deeply committed to the preservation and well-being of Barbet. Our focus has always been on health, temperament, and maintaining the integrity of the breed—not on profit, trends, or over-breeding.
If you are searching for trusted information on Barbet dogs, want to connect with Ginkgo, or are curious to learn more about Barbet, email us or follow us on facebook or instagram.
While we are not showing our Barbets or volunteering for the Barbet Club of America, Stacy devotes her time as a full-time professional wedding photographer. You can see her work here: stacyable.com
Ginkgo in the Press
AKC - Meet the Ne west AKC-Recognized Breed: Barbet
And Now For Something Different The Mudi And The Barbet
Wall Street Journal - Building the Barbet Breed
Dog News - Meet the Barbet
Better Breeder Chronicles Pod Cast: Stacy Able Ginkgo Barbet
About Barbet (French Water Dogs)
About Barbet
The Barbet, also known as the French Water Dog, is a charming and versatile sporting breed with a long history as a marsh-land retriever. Bred for waterfowl work in France, the Barbet is valued for its friendly temperament, strong working instincts, and uniquely dense, curly coat.
Appearance
Barbets are medium-sized dogs with an athletic build and a key breed characteristic of a long, woolly, curly coat that helps protect them in cold, wet conditions. Their namesake beard — barbe in French — gives their face a distinctive, expressive look. Coat colors include black, brown, fawn, and pied patterns, all with or without white markings.
Size & Structure
Weight: Typically 35–60 lb (males 45–60 lb; females 35–50 lb).
Height at Withers: 19–24.5 inches (males 21 to 24½ inches, females 19 to 22½ inches).
Barbets are slightly longer than tall in body and carry a long sweeping tail. Their gait is a "Easy, ground-covering trot with good front reach and impulsion from hindquarters with precise cadence. Feet converge toward the centerline with increased speed. Topline remains level and carriage is smart." BCA Standard.
Temperament
Barbets are known for being friendly, intelligent, loyal, clownish, and even-tempered. They are trainable retrievers with a generally calm demeanor post puppyhood. They enjoy both family life and active participation in activities like swimming, retrieving, and agility.
Health & Care
Overall, Barbet is considered a relatively healthy breed. Common health screenings recommended by breed clubs include hip and elbow evaluations, eye exams, and DNA tests for conditions like PRA/prcd (progressive retinal atrophy).
While no health testing can ever guarantee that a dog will remain free of medical issues for life, transparency, education, and responsible breeding practices are widely recognized as important tools for reducing risk and supporting long-term health.
Their thick, curly coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and to maintain skin health.
History & Function
One of the oldest European water-retrieving breeds, the Barbet was traditionally used to locate, flush, and retrieve game from marshes and rivers. Their water-adapted coat and webbed feet make them natural swimmers.
Breed Standard
Barbet Club of America – Breed Standard
https://www.barbetclubofamerica.com/breed-standard
“être crotté comme un barbet”
'to be as muddy as a Barbet.' This curly-coated breed has a long history of working closely with humans in marshes, which gives them their signature love of outdoors adventures"
“être crotté comme un barbet”
'to be as muddy as a Barbet.' This curly-coated breed has a long history of working closely with humans in marshes, which gives them their signature love of outdoors adventures"
Featured Barbet #BarbetMaeve
GCHB CH Ginkgo Cavan Sugarcane Apple BCAT CGC STR ATT
Maeve is the daughter of our beloved Harper from our 2022 Apple themed Barbet litter. Miss Maeve started out strong in 2023 by going Best in Sweepstakes and Reserve Winners Bitch at the Barbet Club of America National Specialty at 9 months of age. She continues to amaze us with group placements and NOHS group placements
Her dam, Harper was the first Barbet in the AKC to earn a Grand Championship Bronze as well as earn the first Owner Handled Best in show, so she has big shoes to fill! The sire, Rio, was the first Barbet to earn a Best in Show for the breed! Maeve is owner-handled by co-breeders Susie Rohr and Stacy Able.
Maeve is #2 Barbet in breed in 2025 and #2 all breed and #1 Owner Handled Barbet for 2025.
CHIC#203329, Hips excellent, Elbows normal, Eyes normal, PRA/PRCD clear/normal
the gram
Our Ginkgo Pack with cameos by Barbet friends and stowaways #chihuahuawillow + Chihuahua Newt