Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in DFW to become a member of the GDCGD?

No. We have active members who live in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, California, and all across Texas. They are known as Non-Regular Members. They still pay club dues, support club activities, are eligible for club awards, but do not attend meetings regularly and do not have voting privileges.

Where and how do i begin to apply for membership in the gdcgd?

The best place to begin is to attend a meeting or a dog show and meet our active members. We are happy to help you with questions about membership in the GDCGD, as well as the Great Dane breed. You can send an email to any one of our active club members by clicking on the Membership link above.

am i required to show my great dane once I become a member, or to remain a member?

Not necessarily, however, as a club, we support the future of the Great Dane breed through the exhibition of our dogs in conformation shows and their adjudication by certified and licensed AKC judges in regards to the Official Breed Standard. Loving your Great Dane is the most important quality, but through competition in all manner of shows, trials, events, and activities, are we able showcase the true abilities of this magnificent breed.

What exactly is a Dog Show?

The official term for dog shows is conformation — as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the written standard of their particular breed. Why? Because the closer a dog’s appearance is to the breed’s standard, the better that dog’s ability will be to produce puppies that meet the standard. It’s also the reason why mixed breeds and spayed or neutered purebreds are ineligible to compete in conformation.
(source: https://www.akc.org/sports/conformation/)

In what sort of activities do GDCGD members participate?

Our members participate in a wide range of activities aside from simply showing our danes. We host monthly meetings to discuss service projects, educational forums for both our members and the public, assisting with local animal and dog charities/rescues/welfare groups, judging seminars, presentations regarding canine health and medical treatments, local parades and community celebrations, etc. Beside conformation shows, our members and their danes participate in agility trials, lure coursing & Fast CAT trials, perform therapy dog work, compete in Rally and Companion Dog obedience trails, Barn Hunt trials, Dock Diving competitions, scent work, Great Dane rescue, and much much more. There are limitless opportunities to serve the community, promote the welfare of the Great Dane breed, and educate the public to the joys of this magnificent breed.

I've never attended a dog show before. What do I need to know?

Not to worry. Dog shows, trials, and competitions are excellent opportunities to learn more about specific breeds, dog sports, showing, and simply adding a dog to your family. However, dog shows, trials, and competitions do have very specific rules that all persons must adhere to (for the safety of the dog and the operation of the show/trial). CLICK HERE for a list of do's and don'ts at dog shows.

Are club members required to breed litters?

No. Though we encourage breeders to use the best practices in their breeding programs, to be highly ethical in their reasons for breeding, and to have support in their breeding efforts, we do not have a policy of breeding as a requirement for membership.