About Us

Von Roth Dobermanns is a small breeding kennel located 80 kms north west of Melbourne, Australia. We breed exclusively from European bloodlines and our aim is to preserve the true working ability of the Dobermann.

Our dogs are selectively chosen for their sound nerves, working instinct, health and conformation. Von Roth Dobermanns are suitable for sport/schutzhund, personal protection/security, obedience and family guardians.

Von Roth Dobermanns is owned by Paul and Melissa Henson. We have over fifty years of combined experience in the breeding, training and working of dogs in law enforcement, detection work, dog sport and obedience.

Paul Henson

Paul bought his first Dobermann in 1985, where he actively became involved with obedience trialing and later on, instructing at the Dobermann Club of South Australia and so began Von Roth Dobermanns.

Pauls extensive involvement with working dogs has been listed below:

Training Director and Helper - Northern Adelaide Sporting Dog Club.
Training Director and Helper - Sport Dog Club of South Australia.
Past training director and helper of Total Canine Sporting Dog Club (Vic).
Licensed Security Dog Handler.
Director/Head Trainer- Multi Purpose K-9 (Training Security, Personal Protection, General Obedience, Behavioural Modification).
Agitator/Helper - Numerous times for Dobermann Club of SA and VIC Working Aptitude Certificate.
Co-Director of International Canine Events (Organiser and Host of International Guest Speakers on Canine Law Enforcement and Sport Dog Seminars).
Training and Breeding Director- Von Forell Kennels Australia (6 years).
Travelled through Europe/USA/Canada liaising and training with the world’s foremost trainers and breeders of working Dobermanns and German Shepherds. Paul has trained with:
- Dr Helmut Raiser (3x BSP Champion).
- Norbett Schmidts of Weyermühle Dobermann Kennels.
- Gene England (World Champion Competitor in Schutzhund).
- Gary and Pam Hanrahan: both World Championship Competitors and USA National Winners in Schutzhund.
- Sgt II Donn Yarnall (Former head trainer of LAPD Dog Squad- 28 years).
- Lance Collins (Canadian Champion and World Competitor in Schutzhund).
- Belgian Schutzhund Club under Frans Hannes (His club has won 5 World Championships).
- Belgian helper and world competitor Jan Kokx.
- 2 x World Champion Jack Schumanns.
- Koos Hassing: Police Dog Handler and Breeder of world famous Tiekerhook kennels (German Shepherds) in the Netherlands.
Attended countless seminars on canine law enforcement and dog sport.
Training with Willem Gepken (Famed Royal Netherlands Police Dog Trainer, helper and competitor in KNPV).
Training with Harry van der Most (Famed Royal Netherlands Police Dog Trainer, helper and competitor in KNPV).
Training with Dr Stewart Hilliard (Lackland Airforce Base Military Working Dog Program).
Director of Intercept Detection Canines Pty Ltd (Breeders and Trainers of Detector Dogs).
Attendee of 2005 International Working Dog Breeders Conference.
Paul's interest in temperament has driven him to devote the past 30 years working and testing not only Dobermanns, but also many known serviceable breeds including the Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Labrador and the Malinois.

Melissa Henson BSc. (Hons)

Melissa's involvement with dogs began with obedience classes at her local dog club with her German Shepherd Dog. She started competition obedience trailing and gained her CD title at the same time as winning the 1998 ACT State Obedience Titles. Shortly after, she became an instructor for the ACT Companion Dog Club, the first dog club in Australia to adopt a purely motivational training syllabus. She is currently employed as a detector dog handler with the Commonwealth Government.

Melissa's involvement in working dogs is listed below:

Certified Government Accredited Detection Dog Handler.
Past member of Total Canine Sporting Dog Club.
Director of Detectalab Australia (Breeders and Trainers of Detector Dogs).
Attendee of 2005 International Working Dog Breeders Conference.
Attended numerous seminars for Canine Law Enforcement and Dog Sport including:
- Ivan Balabanov (USA Champion and World Competitor in Schutzhund).
- Sgt II Donn Yarnall (Former head trainer of LAPD Dog Squad- 28 years).
- Lance Collins (Canadian Champion and World Competitor in Schutzhund).
- Dr Stewart Hilliard (Lackland Airforce Base Military Working Dog Program).
- Bernhard Flinks (German Police Dog Trainer and World Competitor in Schutzhund).
- Gerrit Fris (German Police Dog Trainer and Director of International Police Dog Support - Holland).
- Willem Gepken (Famed Royal Netherlands Police Dog Trainer, helper and competitor in KNPV).