Membership

BECOMING A GSMDCA MEMBER

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

  • Published SENNtinel & E-SENNtinel. The SENN is the official publication of the GSMDCA with the purpose of disseminating information on official club business, activities and other matters that relate specifically to the best interest of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the general membership of the club.
  • Eligibility for consideration for member nominated annual club awards
  • Recognition at annual Awards Banquet for achievements in conformation, performance, working, companion events, and stud dog and brood bitch production
  • Access for breeders to be listed on GSMDCA Breeder Classified Directory
  • Eligibility for participation in puppy futurity and maturity program
  • Working event programs to demonstrate breed heritage (Draft, Pack, Weight Pull, Versatility)
  • Steward of the breed and built-in breed community
  • Platform for organized events focusing on breed health through GSMD specific efforts and initiatives of the Canine Health Foundation
  • Ability to participate in a variety of committees focused on the betterment and preservation of the breed
  • Vote for GSMDCA annual National Specialty judges selection*
  • Participation in biannual GSMDCA elections*

*voting membership required

Effective 1/1/2021

Yearly “full” membership fees are $30.00 for Individual Members or $45.00 for the dual Household Membership (two members in one household). Owning a Swissy and being a U.S. citizen and/or resident over 18 years old are prerequisites for “full” membership status. Applications must be sponsored by two full members of the GSMDCA.

Those not eligible for full membership who wish to join the Club to learn more about the GSMD, may join as an Associate Member at the cost of $30.00 per year. Associate International Memberships (Canada) are $55.00 [$45.00/year plus a $10.00 yearly postage assessment]. Associate International Memberships (All Other Countries) are $70.00 [$45.00/year plus a $25.00 yearly postage assessment]. Associate and International Members do not need sponsors nor are they eligible to vote or hold office in the GSMDCA.

All Individual and Family Membership Applications must be supported by two sponsors who are currently members in good standing in the GSMDCA. Sponsorship is not necessary for Associate Membership.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Printable New Membership Application

QUESTIONS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP? 
E-mail contact: gsmdcamembership@gmail.com

MEMBER GUIDELINES

  1. Whether at home or away, members shall conduct themselves as good ambassadors of the Club and of the breed by displaying good sportsmanship and safe, sensible behavior. Members shall:

a.) Be diligent in properly handling their appropriately restrained GSMD/s to minimize being a nuisance, causing a risk of trauma, or placing any person or animal in danger.

b.) Protect the name and reputation of the breed.

c.) Respect members and ensure that publicly shared assessments (including, but not limited to, social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, websites and the like) of a member’s GSMD are constructive, refraining from destructive criticism of another’s dog and personal attacks upon fellow members.

e.) Represent the breed with honesty when promoting the breed. Education involves both good and bad. f.) Educate themselves and others by seeking the advice and assistance of others and offer advice, support, and cooperation to fellow members.

 

  1. All GSMDs owned or in the care of members shall be given a healthy environment, good nutrition, veterinary care, and proper training which include regular contact with people and the outside world.

a.) No member’s GSMD may be treated in an inhumane manner, abused, or subjected to any conditions that endanger the animal’s life.

b.) No member shall have more GSMDs than their facilities adequately hold.

c.) Members placing a dog in another home should have reasonable assurance that each individual receiving a dog will provide a home with appropriate shelter, restraint, control and responsible care.

d.) Members shall not sell, supply, donate or surrender any GSMD/s for raffle prize purposes, or to any dog wholesalers, pet shops, other retailers, catalogue house, Humane Society or Shelter, or any live dog to a research laboratory.

e.) If members become aware of the maltreatment, misuse, or need to relocate any GSMD, they will notify any or all of the following for resolution of the problem: the breeder, GSMD Rescue Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors, or the appropriate authorities in their area.

  1. Members are encouraged to track the health of puppies/dogs owned/sold and participate in club health surveys. In the event of a GSMD death of unknown cause, it is suggested a necropsy be performed.
  2. Members who breed a litter are encouraged to follow the GSMDCA Breeding Guidelines as a means of promoting high standards for breeding.
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