Ginkgo Barbet
An Indianapolis, Indiana Barbet breeder dedicated to preserving the health, temperament, structure, of the Barbet, the French water dog.
A Breed Worth Preserving
Since 2004, Stacy and Walter have been devoted to the Barbet. What began as a love for this uncommon French water dog has grown into a lifelong commitment to the breed, its history, and its future.
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.
At Ginkgo, we believe preserving a breed means looking beyond the next litter. It means making thoughtful breeding decisions, being honest about about the breeds pros & cons, understanding pedigrees, and remaining committed to the dogs throughout their lives.
We don't breed for color or volume. Our goal is to produce one to two healthy, well-adjusted Barbet litters per year which represent the breed standard.
Experience, Involvement, & Responsibility
Our involvement with Barbet extends far beyond our Ginkgo program. Stacy and Walter have been a key part of the breed's development in the United States since 2004. Stacy submitted the breed to the AKC FSS program to get the ball rolling towards full AKC recognition, which was in 2020. The goal always has been to preserve the Barbet breed.
Stacy has served on the board of the Barbet Club of America almost continuously since she helped found it in 2009 and currently serves as Club President as well as is the club's first AKC Delegate. She is also involved in maintaining breed statistics and contributing pedigree information to PawPeds, helping preserve valuable breed history for future generations.
As AKC Breeders of Merit Silver, we believe experience carries responsibility. That responsibility includes continuing to learn, improve, support the breed community, share and educate about the breed, and remain accountable for the Barbet we bring into the world.
Thoughtful Beginnings. Lifelong Connections.
We take the placement of every Ginkgo Barbet seriously. Our puppies are raised with care and intention, and we take the time to get to know prospective families. Many families wait six months to a year for a Ginkgo puppy. We believe finding the right match is worth waiting for.
Our Barbets live throughout the country, from Alaska to New Hampshire. We want our puppies to have more than a good beginning. We want them to have a lifetime of care, companionship, training, and commitment.
We have 32 bred by Ginkgo Champions and 40+ have earned titles ranging from scent work, agility, therapy, rally, obedience, to lure coursing, and more.
Learn More + Connect
If you’re interested in learning more about the Barbet, our breeding philosophy, or a future Ginkgo litter, we welcome you to reach out by email or follow along on facebook or instagram.
Please keep in mind that Ginkgo is a passion and a hobby for us, not a full-time business. Between our work, family, dogs, showing, dog sports, and volunteer commitments with the Barbet Club of America, our days are full! Stacy also works as a full-time professional wedding photographer. When she isn't devoted to the dogs or the breed, she's busy capturing weddings. You can see her photography work at 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, clownish, 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, but they much prefer muddy marshes over dock diving.
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"
#BarbetMaeve
GCHS CH Ginkgo Cavan Sugarcane Apple FDC BCAR CGC ATT STR
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! Maeve's sire, Rio, was the first Barbet to earn a Best in Show for the breed!
Maeve is Breeder-Owner-Handled by co-breeders Susie Rohr and Stacy Able.
Maeve is the #1 AKC Female Barbet in 2025 and 2026
PRA-PRCD: Clear
Heart: NORMAL AUSC + ECG + ECHO
Height: 20 inches
Weight: 46 pounds
#Barbetepee
BISOH MRBISOH GCHB CH Ginkgo Epee Olympic Gold OHG FDC CA BCAT
This handsome lad was born during the Paris 2024 Olympics which became our Olympic themed litter. He caught our eye and the rest was history. Epee was the second Barbet to earn a Best Beginner Puppy in show at the Indy Winter classic in 2025. The next day, he earned his first major at 6 months of age!
He finished his championship entirely in the bred by classes at 9 months of age. At our 2025 Barbet National, he earned an Award of Merit at Morris and Essex. He is co-owned with Bekah + Caleb Krieg.
On December 12th, 2025, He won the Sporting Group at the AKC National Puppy & Junior Stakes in Orlando, Florida under Judge Peter Kubacz. A breed first!
He finished his Grand Championship at the 2026 Indy Winter Classic and is currently the #1 Barbet in Breed, All-breed, and OH!
He is entirely Owner-Handled by Caleb Krieg and Breeder Stacy Able
CHIC : Winter 2026
Hips: Winter 2026
Elbows: Winter 2026
Heart: NORMAL AUSC + ECG + ECHO
Eyes: Normal W/BO
PRA/PRCD: Clear
Height: 22.5 inches
Weight: 62 Pounds
the gram
Our Ginkgo Pack with cameos by Barbet friends and stowaways #chihuahuawillow + Chihuahua Newt