about us

The goal of “American Barbet”, now Ginkgo Barbet, is to share our heartfelt love for the Barbet.  They are our French water dog family.

Walter’s sister, Susan Able, imported Luna/Lola, one of the first few Barbet in the States, from Denmark in 2000. Lola had a litter of 8 Barbet puppies (the 3rd known Barbet litter born in America). Walter brought home Xela from that litter, who became his constant companion.

When we did Barbet research online in 2004, there were few websites in English. We began our American Barbet website to help those in North America find information about the breed. In 2007, we applied for recognition of the Barbet within the American Kennel Club (AKC) Foundation Stock Service (FSS) program. This is the first step in getting a rare breed, like the Barbet, full recognition in the American Kennel Club.

In conversations with Barbet owners in Europe, I was introduced to Cinna di Barbochos Reiau de Prouvenco, who became my heart dog. We traveled to France to bring him home. He was the third Barbet registered with the AKC, Xela being the first. While there, we competed with Cinna in the Bourg en Bresse dog show. It was my first time showing. Cinna earned “best male puppy”. His good nature lead himself to being our Ginkgo ambassador. He passed away in our arms in November 2021 at age 14.5. Although he had a long, happy life, he is missed everyday. This website is dedicated to him.

We were founding members, with the help of other Barbet owners, of the Barbet Fanciers Club of America, now the Barbet Club of America. The goal of the club is to adhere to the Barbet standard as well as promote the health and safety of this amazing breed. You can read about the club website at www.barbetclubofamerica.com. Stacy was President in 2009-2012, 2014-2016, Vice President in 2018-2022, and currently serving as President.

We chose our official AKC registered Barbet kennel name as “Ginkgo”. It was the first tree Walter taught me to identify.  We live in Indiana, have years of combined dog experience, yet always eager and humble to learn more. Walter worked with wolves while at Purdue at Wolf Park in Northern Indiana. Stacy is a professional wedding photographer at Stacy Able Photography.  In addition to our love of Barbet, and Chihuahuas, we devote our time to assisting Guatemalan women and children improve their lives with Seeds of Help Foundation, Inc. which began in 2000.

We have three Barbet in our home and one Chihuahua. We co-own Barbet with a few others, and our official AKC registered kennel name is Ginkgo:

• GCH CH Ginkgo de Zora Petra
• GCH CH Ethelred Good Karma De Ginkgo BCAT (Andi)
• CKC CH Kiki Von der Leibrucke (Allora)

Co-owned pack members:

• GCHB CH Ginkgo De Ellis Lexington CM2 BN RI CGC TKN (Harper): co-owned with Susie Rohr
• Ginkgo Cavan Sugarcane Apple CGC (Maeve): co-0wned with Susie Rohr
• Hickory Tavern & LTD High Water at Ginkgo (Luca): co-owned with Amanda Debusk
• CH Ginkgo de Ellis Nashville (Lyla): co-owned with Dr. Katz DVM
• GCH CH Ginkgo de Roseville BCAT (Roo): co-owned with Ariane Tate
• Gentiana Von Springbell RN CAA FCAT CGCA TKN (Mila): co-owned with Carol Newberry
• GCHS CH Bluespruce’s Blitzen De Ginkgo (Bash): co-owned with Will Zollman
• CH Hickory Tavern Coast to Coast de Ginkgo (Zella): co-owned with Will Zollman

Gone but not forgotten:

• CKC CH. Cinna Di Barbochos Reaiu De Prouvenco CM THDA CGC CGN
• CKC CH Ginkgo De Cleo Grantham Gaia THDA RI CGC TKN CGN BCAT
• Sabine de la fleur Xelaju (Xela)
• Poppenspäler’s Dynastie (Dyna)
• Ginkgo de Xelaju Amelia (Lia)
• Zora Biscay’s Fairest D’Ginkgo RN CGC TKN (Piper)