Join the PWDCA - Membership Information


The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc. (PWDCA) is the only organization recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the national club of the Portuguese Water Dog.

With nearly 1600 members worldwide, and 18 local clubs, you will surely find your place in the PWD world to share your passion for this fabulous breed. As an active member, you’ll join a community who shares your passion, one where you can stay up-to-date on the health and well-being of your PWD, become involved through volunteer opportunities, and help to preserve our breed and improve our organization!

We have several membership options listed below.  To apply, click on the option that best suits your interests.

All memberships are available to individuals who are in good standing with the AKC and adhere to the objectives of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc.

Our bylaws dictate that all membership applications be approved by our Board of Directors.  Please allow at least twelve weeks for your membership application to be processed. 

For membership specific questions, please contact the Membership Committee.

We look forward to receiving your application! 

Membership Information

Associate membership is open to adults who are residents of the United States. 

Benefits of Associate Membership

  • Receive our exclusive publication, The Courier, a multiple award-winning, full-color magazine which is published four times a year.
  • Participate in a rich variety of general member and breeder programs
  • Share information with PWDCA members on a private email list, the PWDCA-L
  • Access Members-Only webpages for exclusive information about the club, titles, and breed
  • Access the online Membership Directory
  • Eligible to serve on committees

 

To apply online:

  

To apply via mail:

Foreign membership is open to adults who are residents outside the United States. The application requires the sponsorship of one PWDCA member in good standing and an upload of the sponsor's written answer to the following: "How long have you known the applicant, and in what manner are you acquainted?" It must also include the sponsor's name, email address, and phone number.

Benefits of Foreign Membership

Receives all the benefits of an Associate member:

  • Receive our exclusive publication, The Couriera multiple award-winning, full-color magazine which is published four times a year.
  • Participate in a rich variety of general member and breeder programs
  • Share information with PWDCA members on a private email list, the PWDCA-L
  • Access Members-Only webpages for exclusive information about the club, titles, and breed
  • Access the online Membership Directory
  • Eligible to serve on committees

To apply online: 



Apply via mail:

Junior membership is open to children who are between 8 and 18 years of age. Junior membership is available to both United States and Foreign residents. Junior members typically join the PWDCA with an Associate or Foreign member.

Benefits of Junior Membership

  • Participate in a variety of general member programs
  • May serve on committees

Junior members who wish to join the club without a parent or guardian may complete a Junior Member Application. Juniors who join the club without a parent or guardian are eligible to receive their own copy of The Courier. Please contact the Membership Committee for more information.

 

Apply via mail:

Honorary membership is bestowed by the PWDCA Board to individuals in recognition of special services to the PWDCA, Inc. An Honorary member receives all the benefits of an Associate member.
Voting membership is open to all Associate members who have demonstrated commitment to the breed and club and have been a member for at least two consecutive years. To apply for Voting Membership, you must be sponsored by two Voting members in good standing with the PWDCA.

 

Benefits of Voting Membership

  • Receives all the aforementioned benefits of an Associate member
  • May participate in the Breeder Referral Program
  • May vote on PWDCA business
  • May serve on the Nominating Committee
  • May hold an elected position on the PWDCA Board

Via mail or email:

Membership in the PWDCA, Inc. follows the calendar year from January through December and dues are non-refundable. Members who join between May and August are eligible for prorated dues. Members who join between September and December pay prorated dues for the current membership year as well as membership dues for the following year.




Joining In (months)



First
Member


Each Add’l Household Member



Junior
Member*

 

January - April

$65.00

$20.00

Free

 

May - August

$45.00

$13.33

Free

 

September - December

$85.00

$26.67

Free

 

All members have online access to The Courier, and a print subscription sent by Bulk Mail to U.S. addresses is included in membership. Members who live in Canada or Mexico can purchase a print subscription for $60 per year, and members who live outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico can purchase a print subscription for $80 per year. Members in the U.S. may opt to upgrade the postage for their subscription to First Class Mail for an additional $45 per year.

Membership in the PWDCA, Inc. is on a calendar year basis. Renewal begins in December. Current memberships expire December 31 of each year, and there is a 30-day grace period. Per the Bylaws, privileges are suspended if dues are unpaid as of January 31, and membership is terminated if dues are unpaid as of March 1. Members can renew online in the Member Center or by mailing the renewal form with payment. Renewal is available only to current members. We welcome former members to reapply, using the Associate or Foreign application above.

 

You may download the fillable PDF here.

 

Additional information regarding membership may be found in Article I in the PWDCA Bylaws.