About

Established in 2000 we are situated approximately 1 hour south of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and are dedicated to the Malinois & Laekenois varieties of the Belgian Shepherd Dog.  Our dogs enjoy living on a large rural acreage property, swimming in the dams with plenty of room to run and play. I was born in England and immigrated to New Zealand at the age of 10 with my parents. In my late 20’s I came to live in Australia all my family still residing in New Zealand or the UK.  I work in the IT Industry for a large Agricultural University and have a long association working with and training animals.  Prior to my involvement with dogs I came from an equestrian background.  My partner Maurice works in the Mining industry as a Blast Hole Driller - many thanks must go to Maurice for his support and encouragement with regards to the dogs.

Maurice & Amanda Camiller Vanuatu November 2008

CH Vanrusselhof Oliver Twist HT Minoir in Show VIC Specialty 2008 Judge Mon Yves Dambrain (BLG)

I am not a commercial kennel I work full time so do not expect my dogs to make my living they are my hobby and my passion.  I try to keep my kennel small so that I am able to devote enough time to providing all of my dogs with the training and attention that they deserve. For this reason not all of the dogs you see on this web site live with me.  Some are placed in homes elsewhere.  I have a great love for this fabulous breed and am devoted to being a positive force in its improvement, continuation and promotion.  I saw my first Malinois on video at a Schutzhund seminar.  There was an instant spark and I was sold on the breed straight away. I searched Australia and eventually purchased my first working Malinois but did not find the quality I had hoped for, hence my investment in the importation of dogs and semen.  I have imported girls, imported stud dogs, and imported frozen semen for artificial insemination litters from the finest bloodlines in the world with no expense spared. I have been breeding Malinois for nearly 10 years now and I have produced Malinois, both in Australia and all around the world, that are successful in a wide range of pursuits such as Police Service, Military work (Air Force), Security, Search and Rescue, Scent Detection, Personal Protection, Schutzhund, Conformation Show, Competition Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Lure Coursing and last but not least loving Family Companions.

I am the only Malinois & Laekenois breeder in Australia to have participated in such a wide range of activities as Protection training, Schutzhund training, Competitive Obedience, Agility, Herding, Endurance and Conformation Showing. I have also attended multiple Schutzhund/Protection seminars by some of the top dog trainers in the world further increasing my knowledge in the area of protection. My specialty is Competitive Obedience where I have achieved the top level of Obedience Champion and titled numerous Belgians both my own and on a professional basis for other breeders. This has given me an exceptional all-round knowledge and understanding of the breed with regards to working ability, temperament, breed type and conformation.

Vanrusselhof Kai Military Working Dog  Royal Australian Airforce

AUST/DKBR/DK CH Bryan Vom Haus Mecki IPO3 SchH3 2 X AUSC Grand National Schutzhund Champion

I breed on a limited basis - usually one to two litters per year both Working and Show bloodlines.  I take my breeding program very seriously. Where possible all dogs have hip, elbow and eye clearances before breeding.  Additionally nearly all of the dogs we use for breeding are titled in conformation and at least one other working pursuit such as schutzhund, obedience, agility or herding.  These titles are proof that our dogs not only have a high standard of breed type, structure and beauty but a sound temperament with some working ability too.

The list of accomplishments at Vanrusselhof are very long and can be seen in full detail on our Achievements page, a few highlights are; The first and only Australian Malinois kennel to own a duel Sch3, IPO3 & conformation show champion titled Malinois. Owner of the first and only Malinois (and dog of any breed) to win the Australian United Schutzhund Clubs Grand National championship title twice. The first Australian Malinois kennel to title any Malinois in the field of ANKC competitive herding. The first and only Australian Bred Best in Group 5 winning Malinois Malinois Specialty Show Winners   QLD Specialty - Best Exhibit in Show 2010, Best of Breed 2007 2008 2009 2010 NSW Specialty - Best of Breed 2002 2007 2008#1, Illawarra Specialty - Reserve exhibit in Show Illawarra 2008, Best of Breed  2007 2008 Victoria Specialty - Best of Breed and Best Australian Bred in Show 2009 Laekenois Specialty Show Winners  QLD Specialty - Best of Breed 2008 2009 2010 Best of Breed at Queensland’s premier dog show the Brisbane Royal Malinois 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 Laekenois 2008 Best of Breed at Sydney’s premier dog show the Sydney Royal Malinois 2010 Best of Breed at Melbourne’s premier dog show the Melbourne Royal Malinois 2009 Best of Breed at Canberra’s premier dog show the Canberrae Royal Malinois 2007, 2009 Dogzonline Malinois pointscore winner 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Dogzonline Best Malinois Breeder 2009. The first Australian Malinois kennel to produce puppies from imported frozen semen. With a tally of 116 we believe to date we have achieved more titles in competitive fields than any other Australian Belgian Shepherd Kennel! How did we achieve these fantastic results and our excellent reputation - we earned it the good old fashioned way by hard work & dedication.

Laekenois - Vanrusselhof Alicia (AI)

More recently we took on a new project in the form of the Laekenois Variety.  The Laekenois are the rough curly coated variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog.  I am very taken with this variety and we have some exciting plans in the pipeline for the future!  Our puppies have been exported to both overseas countries and interstate within Australia.  We are happy to take care of all export requirements and arrange for National or International freight for your puppy. Whether your goal is to own a top working dog, show dog, an obedience dog, an agility dog, or just that special loving family companion, Vanrusselhof may have exactly the Malinois or Laekenois that you are looking for.  All enquiries are most welcome. Amanda Camiller