Armando Angelbello | Marlex Miniature Pinschers

Interview with Armando Angelbello, Breeder of Marlex Miniature Pinschers

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What are the hallmarks of your breed and why are they important for maintaining breed type?
3. In your opinion, are there enough puppy homes to support breeding a litter this year?
4. How have you implemented new technologies in science and communications as a breeder?
5. In your community, have you noticed a change in the public’s perception of purebred dogs?
6. Have you noticed any trends in the sport? Anything to be concerned about?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport in recent years?

Armando Angelbello

1. I am Armando Angelbello and I established Marlex Miniature Pinschers in 1987, with the help of my wife, XioMara, in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, area. Our dedication to the breed, the parent club, the MPCA (Miniature Pinscher Club of America), and the sport have brought years of enjoyment and recognition.

I have bred, owned, and/or handled over 150 champions, with numerous top-winning dogs and top-producing sires and dams. Of special note and pride at the Breed level, I have piloted our Min Pins to a record 15 annual MPCA National Specialty Best of Breed wins to date. At the all-breed level, our bitch “Classie” (GCHP Marlex Classic Red Glare) holds the record as the top-winning Min Pin of all time, and held the Top Toy Dog in history record for more than 11 years (with 133 Bests in Show). At the individual award level, I have been recognized as AKC (American Kennel Club) Toy Breeder of the Year (2013), Owner Handler and Breeder of the Year by Dogs in Review and Dog News/Purina Pro Plan annual awards, MPCA Dog World Award, and multiple Good Sportsmanship awards.

2. The Min Pin hallmarks are:

1. The “hackney-like” gait, which is clearly defined in the Breed Standard; the only breed that calls for this movement. In summary, it’s a high-stepping gait (lift with bend at the wrist), with reach and drive, while maintaining desired outline, head, and tail carried high. Ideally, sound on the down and back. If there is no lift and/or break, then the hallmark movement is lacking. If legs cross, paddle, or goose step (no bend) on the move, this also lacks the desired movement and soundness.
2. To have true type, the breed must be square (short-coupled, compact, slightly wedge-shaped). Bitches “may be” slightly longer as an acceptable deviation, but short-coupled is preferred. There is no deviation allowance for males.
3. The Min Pin should possess a chiseled head; parallel, flat planes of equal length, skull to muzzle, with slight drop to muzzle. Slightly oval-shaped, dark eyes. No to short, snipey, (and “Andy Gump”) muzzle. No to big, round, buggy eyes, and no to light eyes.
4. A highly spirited temperament is a hallmark, with a terrier-like, fearless, “King of Toys” attitude.

3. Before I embark on a breeding, I ask myself “are you prepared to keep all of them if the right homes don’t come along?” This way, I never feel obligated or pressured into placement in questionable show or companion homes. I have a wait list for vetted show homes as I don’t breed that often. Companion homes are a challenge for me in the vetting process. The popularity of Min Pins has diminished greatly, compared to their hey days of the 1980s and ‘90s. The animal rights activism has affected and influenced the general public, even more so for breeds that are cropped and docked

4. Just about everything is technology based and digital these days. I’ve embraced it to a point.

5. The public’s perception of purebreds has changed negatively in recent years. The animal rights agenda and “adopt, don’t shop” narrative has been winning the general public, along with the designer mutts. We (AKC and breeders) as a whole have failed to reverse this trend.

6. The number of shows keeps increasing week by week, diminishing competition and the number of entries per show, in many cases. I’m not a proponent of fewer shows, as one has the choice to attend or not. However, there should be a minimum entry expectation (e.g., a minimum 500-plus entries) in approving new shows on a probationary basis.

Apparently, AKC Judge’s Evaluation is more procedure-based than knowledge-based, post-approval. Once approved, it appears to be for life, regardless of the quality of judging. Not a new problem, but more visible to the fancy now. Personally, my participation in showing has diminished somewhat. I made a resolution a couple of years ago to be more discriminative with my entries.

7. The introduction of the NOHS (National Owner-Handled Series), Grand Championships, Select, Champion points for Group placements, etc., has proven to be popular and a financial success for revenues and increased participation. On the other hand, some of the initiatives have accentuated existing issues. For example, the NOHS competition has increased participation at shows, but it has also widened the divide between owner handlers and professional handlers. Personally, I do not participate in the NOHS.