About Royvon

It all started with a love of German Shepherds

This special dog breed became a passion for Roy and in 1959 he and his wife Yvonne pursued a dream by purchasing a small site in Merthyr Tydfil to create the Royvon business.

Starting with showing and breeding German Shepherds, the pair expanded the size of the site, launched into boarding and training kennels, and grew their family too.

Long before Royvon co-owner Darren James took on the business, his grandfather Will John taught Darren's father Roy how to care for German Shepherds. It is this continuous love of dogs that has built Royvon into the business it is today.

Meet Merry

Roy and Yvonne's son Darren grew up around the dogs at Royvon in Merthyr, and it turned out Darren was a dog person just like his parents.

On Christmas Day at ten years old, Darren met Merry, the fabulous German Shepherd puppy his parents had selected, who would become his best friend. With excellent heritage and Darren's love and dedicated training, Merry went on to win top honours in show ring and obedience competitions.

The two were inseparable only separated by school. Who was to know that these events were the foundation for Darren's lifetime career in dog training.

Our Values

Love like a Labrador

Genuine care for every dog that comes through our doors. Not a business first a love of dogs first. Everything else follows from that.

Committed like a Collie

The work doesn't stop when the session ends. We stay committed to every dog and owner through follow-up, support and genuine accountability.

Respect like a Retriever

Every dog deserves to be understood on their own terms. We listen, we observe, and we adapt our approach to what each individual dog needs.

Developing Board & Train

As a teenager growing up at Royvon, Darren started practising his dog training skills on the dogs that came to stay for boarding. He took over the family business at 16, developing the kennel services into a Board and Train programme that would enable dogs of all breeds and personalities to make huge leaps in their training progress.

Today, Royvon is owned and run by the James family: Darren and Hannah with their children Felix and Honey, who are growing up immersed in Royvon life and a happy appreciation of the joy dogs can bring.

Positive training techniques

The programme today is based on the latest scientific research, using force-free techniques that bring together vast experience, a deep understanding of dogs and a realistic approach to each dog family's capacity to dedicate to training.

Our dog training programme is focused on movement and fun to motivate your dog and help to build a strong relationship between you, for life.

With a range of options from remote puppy training to the flagship residential training programme particularly helping dogs with behaviour issues Royvon is committed to helping as many dogs as possible to live a fulfilling life alongside their owners.

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