Namtrah History

The Beginning: Summer 1998

It all started in the summer of 1998. Mary & I met and fell in love with my brother and sister-in-law's "Bingo"

Mary had always wanted another small dog, but I did not want a small and "yappy" one. It turns out Tibbies are not yappy but a small dog with a big dog attitude.

The summer of 1998 we went to a dog show and met Mallory Driskoll. We later realized she was one of the top Tibetan Spaniel breeders in the country who had started many current breeders with their first Tibbie. We fell in love with one of her puppies who was supposed to become our first show dog "Yoda".

Ambrier Force Is With Yoda (3/06/98 - 7/20/12) Yoda was a beautiful show dog but he was not destined for the show ring. Mallory told us she would replace him but we just could not part with him, and he has been with us ever since.

In the fall of 1998, Mary and our sister-in-law Melanie Hartman went to Wine Country. One afternoon they made a trip to see a Tibbie breeder, Cheryl Kelly, and a new litter of five boys. Cheryl told Mary she could not have her first pick as she was keeping Joker, so Mary picked the fifth boy. Of course, this was after our daughter Beth had commanded, " no new dogs before my wedding"

Dragonhold Party of Five "Owen" came to our house in Connecticut. Little did we know what was in store for Mary and Owen. He was the most amazing start in showing purebred dogs.

In February of 1999, Mallory gave us a call and said she had a Tibbie for us to replace Yoda. We met Mallory at the Westminster Dog Show in NYC and traveled home with our Jewel. (My Jewel - Harold).

Our start in Tibbies was complete. These were our Foundation dogs upon which we have built.

We joined with Melanie and Lewis Hartman to form MelMar, our first kennel name. 

1999

Owen's First Show, Win, & Point Owen first Best of Breed 1/30/1999 3/14/1999

Owen a New Champion 6/12/1999

Jewel's first Point 6/13/1999

Owen and Mary and Owen's first group placement (9/13/99)

Owen finished the year ranked 17th in Breed standings and 14th in All Breed. He had 7 Best of Breeds and a Group 4 all with Mary at the lead.

2000

Jewel's 2nd Major 3/4/2000 New Champion 3/11/2000

Owen and Mary's first Group 3 (8-14-2000)

Owen finished the year ranked 22nd in Breed and 21st in All Breed with 10 Best of Breeds and Group 3 with Mary at the lead.

Owen and Jewel's first litter of six born 9/21/2000 Four of these puppies are AKC Champions to give Jewel her ROM Ch MelMar Harry Potter, Ch MelMar All Spun Up, Ch MelMar Reeces Pieces Ch Melmar Cuddle Me Up and MelMar Diamonds are Forever 14 points & 4 majors (lost)

Actually two litters of 11 were born just five days apart. Click here to see there story.

2001

2001 was an exciting year in the show ring for Mary and I. Five puppies we bred in 2000 finished their championship.

Chubba a new Champion on 9/15/2001

Ch. MelMar Reeces Pieces "Chubba" Owner: Mary & Harold Hartman By Ch Dragonhold Party of Five - Ch Lorac Ambrier Crown Jewel Currently 17 points and 4 Majors

Kissy a New Champion on June 17, 2001

Ch MelMar All Spun Up "Kissy" Owners: Sally McGee & Mary Hartman By Ch Dragonhold Party of Five - Ch Lorac Ambrier Crown Jewel Finished at under nine months

Jake a new Champion on June 16,2001

Ch MelMars Blues Brothers Man "Jake" Owners: Sally McGee & Katherine Burke By Ch Dragonhold Party of Five - Jo'Jevon Witching Hour Finished at under nine months

Harry a new Champion on June 3, 2001

Ch MelMar Harry Potter "Harry" Owner: Mary & Harold Hartman By Ch Dragonhold Party of Five - Ch Lorac Ambrier Crown Jewel Finished at 8 1/2 months with 4 Majors

MelMar Diamonds Are Forever (Missing and presumed dead) "Sassy" Owner: Mary & Harold Hartman By Ch Dragonhold Party of Five - Ch Lorac Ambrier Crown Jewel 14 points and 4 Majors

CH MelMar Cuddle Me Up "Cuddles" Owners: Mary & Harold Hartman By Ch Dragonhold Party of Five - Ch Lorac Ambrier Crown Jewel Finished championship with three majors and two Best of Breeds in Jan. 2003. Owen's story was even more amazing. At the 2001 National Specialty, he became very upset with Mary. She kept taking his get into the ring, leaving him behind. Owen finished the year Number 1 in Breed, Number 1 in All Breed and tied for #1 Pedigree Top Producer with 6 champions. In 107 shows Owen had 85 Best of Breeds, One Best In Show, 3 Group 1's, 6 Group 2's, 9 Group 3's and 11 Group 4's.

2002