Brief History of The Dobermann Club of WA (excerpts, as printed in Souvenir catalogue)
Late in 1968, under the presidency of Mr. H. Heynen, The Dobermann Club of WA came into existence.
A recess of several months followed by the sterilisation-legislation scare of 1970 brought Dobermann owners form near and far to prevent discriminatory action similar to that meted out to German Shepherds.
Mr. Heynen continued as President and the first application was made to the Canine Association of WA (Inc.) for affiliation. Several successful functions established the name of the Club in the dog world and interest in club training sessions increased. Mr. R. McMillan served as President for a short period during 1971 and was succeeded by Mr Roger Foot, who was subsequently re-elected for the 1971-1972 Club year.
A revision of rules and an upsurge in Club activities preceded the second application for affiliation which was granted early in 1972. Immediately after affiliation several show and trial dates were applied for and the club's inaugural Show was scheduled for 3rd September 1972.
Current membership stands at approximately 180 and a healthy trend is indicated from the increasing volume of membership applications.

(1973, excerpts from 2nd September 1973 Champsionship Show Catalogue)
The 1972 Annual General Meeting saw the re-election of Roger Foot as President and the introduction of honorariums for the Secretary and the Treasurer. What was to be an intermittent newsletter appeared early in 1971 as "The Tailess Times". Far from decreasing in circulation this unique WA publication entered Volume II in 1973 with PMG registration and advertiser support. Current circulation level is at a minimum of 1200 issues per annum. 1973 saw an upsurge in showing and training activity; the successful first Obedience Trial and the first-ever "Dobermann of the Year" scheme. With membership at approximately 250 the Club, on the day of this inaugural Championship Show, is poised for greater activity on behalf of the Dobermann and enters the 1973-74 year confident of the full support of its members.

The Dobermann
(as printed from the Souvenir Catalogue of the Inaugural Show in 1972)
The Dobermann can truly be described as the aristocrat among dogs. Bred to a standard which demands a perfect balance of elegance, power and sound structure, he represents the ideal picture of a thoroughbred.
The modern Dobermann is a good medium size – large enough to deman respect and to show off his elegant lines but not too large to be out of place in the home or car.
His coat is short and glossy, requiring a minimum of grooming. The predominating colour is black with well-defined tan markings on lower legs, chest and muzzle. The Red Dobermann is gaining in popularity throughout the world.
The most outstanding quality of the dobermann is his versatility.
His reliability of temperament, devotion to his master and family, make him a wonderful family pet. His highly developed guard instinct makes him a grand guard dog equally effective in home, factory or farm.
His remarkably keen senses of sight and scent enable him to show great ability in tracking and hunting.
All of these characteristics together with his intelligence, trainability, courage, speed and power are utilised in Europe and America in service with the police and military forces. The Dobermann was adopted by the United States Marine Corps as its official dog and served with distinction in the Pacific Islands during World War II.
In America many Dobermanns are being successfully used as Guide dogs for the Blind. Western Australia had the first Dobermann Guide dog in Australia.
The Dobermann originated in Germany. Herr Louis Dobermann, a town dog catcher and night patrolman, started selectively breeding the best of locally available dogs with a view to producing a sharp, fearless watch dog capable of performing many duties and yet appearing as a proud, noble animal.
The old German Shepherd dog (not the modern Alsatian), Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Great Dane, and others provided the basic stock for this breeding and the Manchester Terrier and Greyhound were used later.
Another breeder, Otto Goeller, was attracted to the breed and through his efforts the Dobermann Pinscher was recognised in 1899. The word “pinscher”, meaning terrier, was dropped in 1959.
The Dobermann was introduced into Australia about twenty years ago and there have been importations from England, the USA and Germany.
The quality of the breeding stock in Australia is representative of the best available in the world today, although the intelligent selection and breeding practised by the early Dobermann enthusiasts must again be encouraged if the breed is to prosper. ……