How Welcoming Is Your Parent Club?

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148 – July, 2026

By Caroline Coile

“Join now! It’s easy to apply!” That’s on the Golden Retriever Club of America website, and I can practically see a Golden Retriever wagging its tail and inviting me in for a cup of coffee as a new member.

But not every parent club is as welcoming to prospective members. I visited every website for every AKC recognized breed to see just how easy it is to join, and found requirements ranged from a couple of clicks and a credit card number to a years-long sojourn through the gauntlet of club rein-holders.

Overall, clubs fall into two distinct categories: Those that want every new owner (or prospective owner) and those that want only select experienced owners. The former usually has a “JOIN” button prominently displayed on their home page, with a section touting the benefits of membership.

For example, the Golden Retriever Club of America lists these benefits:

• GRCA Members receive the Golden Retriever News, a bimonthly, color magazine rich with educational content, photos, news & events, and member accomplishments (only available to GRCA members).

• Use of a special GRCA Member Emblem for your personal website.

• RCA WC/WCX Video on Field Tests and how you can get involved.

• Members’ entries are drawn first at CCA events held at GRCA Regional and National Specialties.

• Eligible to compete for GRCA Challenge & Perpetual Trophies & Awards.

• Access to GRCA’s Golden Retriever Title & Award online database.

• Access and listing in the online Kennel Prefix List.

• Weekly Hot Topics email – a summary of Board discussions and resolutions before they are voted on so you have a voice in your club. It’s also filled with announcements from AKC, the Golden Retriever Foundation, and other organizations.

• You join a special community–where you can develop friendships with those that proudly share your passion for the breed.

I don’t own a Golden but I already want to join! And it turns out, I could; owning a Golden is not a prerequisite. By the way, the club has more than 4,000 members. No wonder they can donate so much to research and other worthy canine causes!

Of course, Goldens have a huge population compared to most breeds. No matter how welcoming, you’re not going to get more than 100 members in most rare breeds. But in my survey, it didn’t seem to matter how popular a breed is; there isn’t a lot of correlation between breed numbers and ease of application.

“Ask Not What Your Club Can do For You…”

Click here to read the complete article
148 – July, 2026

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Posted by AnthonyA on Jul 17 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.