About Marlex

Canine Chronicle Article About Marlex  

• The human family: Armando, Lisa (daughter), Alex (son) & Xio (wife).

• Marlex Min Pins founded in 1986 in Florida. Home to multiple Best In Show and multiple National Specialty Winners as well as Top Ranked Min Pins & Hall of Fame Producers.

• First exposure to min pins was via Dr. Boshell’s book (Your Miniature Pinscher). 

• Acquired first min pin as a pet but proceeded to take a conformation class with my pet “Taffy”, entered a match where she went Best of Breed and Group II, and got the show bug!  That pet was shown to 7 points, but I promptly learned she was not of high quality, so she became a beloved pet, while I pursued the acquisition of our first show dog.  

• Long story short, this is where Ann Dutton of Sanbrook kennel came into the picture, becoming my mentor, and where I acquired my first show dog in 1986, Ch Sanbrook Silk Electric, who went on to become a top winning and top producing min pin. The rest is history…so we’ve been immersed in the wonderful world of min pins and showing ever since.

• Kennel name of Marlex is a combination of my name (ARmando), my wife’s & daughter’s (xioMARa and lisa MARa), and my son’s (aLEX).

• Foundation dog:  Ch Sanbrook Silk Electric (BISS, Hall of Fame Sire of 74 Chs).

• Foundation bitches:  Ch Sanbrook Swept Away (HOF Dam of 8 Chs) and first homebred Ch Marlex Electra Madness (HOF Dam of 10 Chs).

• Mentor: Ann Dutton (Sanbrook)

• MPCA Member since 1987, and MPCSF member since inception in 1989.

• Share friendships with many Min Pin breeder/exhibitors throughout the country & abroad, and particular kinship and warm friendship with the Florida contingency of min pin friends: Luis & Linda Colarte (Lulin), Marcia Tucker (Sunsprite), Pam Ruggie (Pevenseys), Rex & Lonnie Phillips (Dazl Reh), Sue & Dick Harig (Bits & Bytes), Vera Halpin Bistrim (Halrok).

Honors Received

• 2013 AKC Toy Breeder Of The Year.

• MPCA Gaines Award (Good Sportsmanship).

• MPCA Dog World Award (Contribution to Dogs).

• Best Owner-Handler, Dogs In Review 2011 Winkie Award.

• Judged 1^st MPCA Futurity in 1995. (click to see winners).

• Judged MPCA Top 20 Event.

• Retired the MPCA John McNamara Challenge Trophy (winning National Specialty 3 times)

• Retired the Empire NY Specialty Challenge Trophy (winning specialty 3 times)

Contributions to MPCA

• Introduced the MPCA Futurity in partnership with Shawn Brown, futurity chairman.

• Introduced the MPCA Junior Sweepstakes.

• Developed historical MPCA policy file (“bible”) calendar of events.

• Articles written for Pinscher Patter

• Modified the Top 20 Event in partnership with Pam Dziuk & Jane Heuer.

• MPCA Membership Education Coordinator for a number of years.

• Hosted educational panels at MPCA Nationals.

• MPCA Board of Directors & Vice President for a number of years.

• Min Pin Club of South Florida founding member & Treasurer.

Family Memories

Time flies!

Lisa Mara - Jr Handling Days

Back when she was 7 to 11 years old

Alex & Lisa

Our 2-Legged Kids All Grown Up

Marlex Min Pins At Play

Pups running, playing & getting into trouble!

In Memoriam Of Florida Min Pin Friends, Not Forgotten

Ann Dutton (Sanbrook), Lonnie Gordon (Burlon), Burt Gordon (Burlon), Charlie Blackwell (CharMax), Fred Bunn (Bunn's)