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Membership

Membership Application

Applications are open from the 1st – 15th of each month or until we receive 15 applications, whichever comes first.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Doberman Pinscher Club of America.

The DPCA exists to support both the Doberman and the club’s members.

The members of the DPCA see something special in Dobermans and want to preserve those qualities that make it unique.

Therefore, DPCA members band together to uphold the breed standard and to educate and assist other interested Doberman owners. Thank you for your interest in joining us in our ongoing mission.

It is recommended anyone applying for membership already be a member of a local chapter club. Chapter clubs are a very important aspect of the DPCA. If you are not a member of your local chapter club and you would like information on the closest one to you, please visit the “Find a chapter club” tab on this page: https://dpca.org/club/chapter-clubs/ or contact the DPCA 2nd VP/Chapter Club secretary at DPCASecondVicePresident@dpca.org.

Our club thrives on the active participation of its members. Volunteering is not just encouraged—it’s an essential part of membership. We rely on dedicated members who are willing to contribute in various ways, and we hope you’ll get involved!

To ensure important emails are properly delivered and not sent to spam, we recommend you add DPCAMembershipSecretary@dpca.org to your email’s safe sender list.

The process for applying for membership is derived from the Bylaws (Article I, MEMBERSHIP), where the DPCA Board is charged with the responsibility for providing the form used to apply for membership.

Before you begin the application process, please ensure that you and your sponsors meet the following requirements:

  1. You are in good standing with the American Kennel Club (AKC).
  2. You currently own or have previously owned Doberman(s).
  3. You were/are active in the dog community, as demonstrated by one or more of the following:
    1. Club membership
    2. Actively showed/showing Dobermans
    3. Bred/Breeding titled AKC Dobermans
  4. You are not currently under investigation by the AKC or any animal welfare agency.
  5. Each sponsor must:
    1. Be a DPCA member in good standing for at least the past five (5) consecutive years
    2. Not reside in your household
    3. Not be part of the same household as the other sponsor
    4. Have sponsored no more than two (2) applicants in the current calendar year
    5. Have known you personally for at least one (1) year and be willing to sponsor your membership
    6. Complete and sign their individual Sponsor Form within 30 days
  6. Home visit requirement (within the last 6 months):
    1. Option 1: At least one sponsor must have conducted an in-person visit to your current home where your Doberman(s) reside
    2. OR Option 2: Both sponsors must have completed a real-time virtual home visit via video call to assess the living environment and care of your Doberman(s)
  7. You must provide the correct email addresses for both sponsors

If all the above requirements are met, you may proceed by clicking the application link below.

Please note: the application must be completed in one sitting — it cannot be saved and resumed later.

Apply for Membership
View Application as PDF (do NOT use to apply)

Junior Membership Application

Applications are open from the 1st – 15th of each month or until we receive 15 applications, whichever comes first.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Doberman Pinscher Club of America as a Junior member.

The DPCA exists to support both the Doberman and the club’s members.

The members of the DPCA see something special in Dobermans and want to preserve those qualities that make it unique.

Therefore, DPCA members band together to uphold the breed standard and to educate and assist other interested Doberman owners. Thank you for your interest in joining us in our ongoing mission.

It is recommended anyone applying for membership already be a member of a local chapter club. Chapter clubs are a very important aspect of the DPCA. If you are not a member of your local chapter club and you would like information on the closest one to you, please visit the “Find a chapter club” tab on this page: https://dpca.org/club/chapter-clubs/ or contact the DPCA 2nd VP/Chapter Club secretary at DPCASecondVicePresident@dpca.org.

Our club thrives on the active participation of its members. Volunteering is not just encouraged—it’s an essential part of membership. We rely on dedicated members who are willing to contribute in various ways, and we hope you’ll get involved!

To ensure important emails are properly delivered and not sent to spam, we recommend you add DPCAMembershipSecretary@dpca.org to your email’s safe sender list.

The process for applying for membership is derived from the Bylaws (Article I, MEMBERSHIP), where the DPCA Board is charged with the responsibility for providing the form used to apply for membership.

Before you start the application process, please be sure you and your sponsors meet the application requirements:

  1. You are between the ages of 10 and 18
  2. You are in good standing with the American Kennel Club
  3. You have a valid email address and are willing to provide it to the DPCA
  4. Both sponsors are a DPCA active member in good standing for at least the previous five (5) consecutive years
  5. Neither sponsor may be member of your household
  6. Neither sponsor is a member of the same household
  7. Both sponsors know you and are in agreement to sponsor you
  8. Both sponsors must complete and sign their individual Sponsor Form within 30 days for the application to be complete
  9. You have the correct email address for each sponsor

If you and your sponsors meet all of the above requirements, you can apply for membership by clicking this link. Please be aware that you will need to complete the application in one sitting – you will not be able to save and come back later.

Click Here to Apply

Interested in Joining the DPCA? Here’s How to Start Building Connections!

Our membership application process requires two sponsors who have known you well for at least a year. A common question we receive is: “How can I meet people to sponsor me?” Don’t worry! Here are some great ways to connect with DPCA members and fellow Doberman enthusiasts:

  1. Attend Dog Shows and Events
    Check out AKC events like conformation shows, agility trials, scent work, or obedience competitions in your area. These events often draw DPCA members from various locations, giving you a chance to meet them in person and start building relationships.
  2. Join Online Communities
    Explore DPCA-related forums, Facebook groups, or breed-specific online events. Many Doberman enthusiasts and DPCA members are active online and are happy to connect, share advice, and mentor newcomers.
  3. Reach Out to Chapter Clubs
    Contact leaders or members of regional DPCA chapter clubs—even if they’re not close by. They might help you connect with members near your area or provide details about events where you can meet others.
  4. Engage in Local Doberman Activities
    If there’s no DPCA chapter club nearby, try organizing or attending informal meetups with other Doberman owners. Building local connections can sometimes lead to introductions to DPCA members.
  5. Attend Our National Show and Convention
    Visit our National webpage or the “DPCA National” Facebook page to learn about upcoming Nationals. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet Doberman lovers, network, and immerse yourself in the breed community!

We’re excited about your interest in the DPCA and look forward to welcoming you into our Doberman community!

Fallon. Photo courtesy of T. Steely