Membership Guidelines for The Poodle Club
of America, Inc.
These guidelines are well detailed by the Board of Directors
and at the present are outlined as follows:
A. Applicants must have been actively breeding and/or exhibiting Poodles for at least eight (8) years immediately preceding submission of their application. B. Applicants must have bred at least four (4) litters of
Poodles out of which at least three (3) Poodles have finished
their American championships. Serious obedience participants
will also be given consideration. C. Applicants must have been active members of their local
Affiliate Club (if any), otherwise a local all breed club
for at least four (4) years immediately preceding submission
of their application. D. The applicant's breeding program must be characterized
as being quality oriented as opposed to quantity oriented.
Those whose livelihood depends on puppy sales shall not be
considered for membership.
E. The applicant must demonstrate a desire to follow the
Breeder's Guidelines as established by The Poodle club of
America, Inc., including an active concern in their breeding
program for inherited genetic anomalies of the Breed. They
must demonstrate reasonable care in eliminating those anomalies
from their breeding program and the Breed.
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F. The applicant must be generally characterized as:
- ethical in their business dealings with other persons
- providing proper care for their dogs and the dogs of others who are under their care
- setting a good example as a leader and mentor to those less experienced in the breed
- exhibiting good sportsmanship and conduct
It is possible that an isolated incident may have occurred which brings one
of the above four into question. An isolated or sporadic incident should not be weighed too heavily against an applicant.
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G. Hobby breeders who have established their own distinct
line shall be preferred. Those whose livelihood primarily
depends on grooming, handling or judging will also be considered
so long as all other requirements are met.
H. The most important objective for membership is to admit
applicants who have acquired the expertise, knowledge of the
Breed Standard and commitment to the Breed in order to make
important Club decisions and lend future direction to The
Poodle Club of America, Inc.
I. Applicants elected to membership are expected to be active
in PCA by meeting one or more of the following criteria on
an ongoing basis:
1. Owning a Poodle entered at a PCA National or Regional
Show
2. Attending a function sponsored by PCA or the PCA Foundation
3. Serving on a committee, on the Board of Directors or
as an Officer of PCA or the PCA Foundation Advertising in
a PCA catalog, or donation to PCA, the PCA Foundation, the
PCA trophy fund, or to some other function sponsored by
PCA.
The question often
asked is why so stringent on membership requirements. The first response is there are at least
47 affiliate clubs through out America and the general feeling
is that individuals should gain the knowledge about the breed
and participation at the local level before moving on to the
national club. It is at the local level that breeders and
exhibitors can prove their knowledge and value to the breed.
The philosophy of The Poodle Club of America, Inc. is "what
can you do for the breed or club?" rather than what the
club can do for you.
The Membership also votes on the breed standard.
By having a knowledgeable membership we believe we can protect
the breed standards. The Poodle has survived the experience
of being the most popular breed in America for a number of
years and they retained the characteristics that they are
known for -the breed did not succumb to the problems so often
associated becoming America's most popular dog.
The Board of Directors wants a knowledgeable,
active membership that is interested in the betterment of
the breed -not personal self-promoting individuals. Individuals
that prove themselves in the "trenches" make better
national breed club members.
Helen
Tomb-Taylor
Corresponding Secretary
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