The purposes of The Poodle Club of America, Inc., are to create, foster and promote interest in Poodles by encouraging their breeding in accordance with the Standard of the ideal Poodle. To this end, to endeavor to make the Standard of the ideal Poodle better known so the best interests of the breed may be advanced. Also, to encourage the exhibition of Poodles at all-breed and Specialty Shows and at Obedience Trials.

Membership Requirements

The requirements for individual membership in the Club are that the applicant:
(a) be in agreement with the purposes for which the club was formed
(b) be in good standing with the American Kennel Club
(c) be twenty-one or more years of age
(d) has bred, exhibited or judged any variety of Poodles within the previous two years

A breeder who wishes to join PCA must have two members of the Club who have known him/her for sometime propose him/her for membership by letters to the Corresponding Secretary. Each of these members will be sent a sponsor form. When these forms are completed and returned to the secretary, the Applicant will be sent an application to be filled out and returned, along with a recent photograph. All applications, which have been completed at least 30 days prior to the meeting, will be presented by the Corresponding Secretary at the next Board of Governor's Meeting. After this, it will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Membership Committee. After study and deliberation, the Membership Committee will submit its recommendation to the Board of Governors of the Club for final action. If sponsor forms and applications are not returned to the Corresponding Secretary within a two-year period, that application is dropped and the entire process may be started again at a later date.

Members of the Poodle Club of America are, in general, veteran breeders, exhibitors and judges. They have, through years of experience, gained extensive knowledge about Poodles. It is their function, as members of the Parent Club, to define and preserve the Standard of the Ideal Poodle and to advance the general welfare of the breed. PCA has, at present, two business meetings a year preceded by specialty shows. It is the deliberative and policymaking group for Poodle Activities.

Across the country there are area, or local, Poodle Clubs, many of which are Affiliate Clubs of PCA. Area Poodle Clubs must first qualify with the American Kennel Club to hold point shows before applying for PCA Affiliate Club status. Each Affiliate Club is entitled to be represented by a delegate at PCA membership meetings. The Affiliate Club Council, chaired by the Second Vice President of PCA, meets twice a year. Its emphasis is placed on education, helping members to breed more wisely, to groom, show and to care for their dogs more effectively. Many of the local clubs hold handling classes, matches and one or two specialty shows a year. In addition, many provide educational meetings, symposiums, lectures, news bulletins, breeder's aids and social activities. Most of the members of PCA are, or have been, members of Affiliate Poodle Clubs.

Peggy McDill
Corresponding Secretary (2006-2010)