Join The Berks County Kennel Club
Are you 18 or older and love purebred dogs? Do you enjoy learning, helping out, and meeting others who share your passion? If so, the Berks County Kennel Club (BCKC) would love to have you as a member!
Here’s what you need to know:
• Membership is open to anyone 18 or older who is in good standing with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and supports the goals of our club.
• You don’t have to live in Berks County to join—we welcome dog lovers from all over!
• Dues are $20 per year per member.
To apply, you’ll need to:
• Attend two general membership meetings, or one meeting and one club event (like our point or match shows).
• Fill out a membership form (link below).
• Get two current BCKC members to sponsor you.
New to the club? If you don’t know any members yet, that’s okay! You can apply with two letters of recommendation—one from your vet and one from a reputable breeder or member of another dog club.
Member Benefits:
• A free awards dinner and personalized awards if you earn enough points by attending meetings and volunteering at club events (point schedule linked below).
• Discounts on club-sponsored seminars.
• Our digital newsletter, BARKS FROM BERKS, sent to your inbox about 6 times a year.
If you’re interested in learning more about purebred dogs, building your skills, and being part of a fun and active community, we’d love to hear from you!
Contact BCKC Membership Chairperson Christy Ahrens at christineeahrens@gmail.com to get started.
Code of Ethics
CODE OF ETHICS:
1. I/we will become familiar with, and will abide by the rules of the American Kennel Club and the AKC standard of my breed (s), also the constitution and by-laws of the Berks County Kennel Club.
2. I/we shall not engage in the wholesaling of litters or the selling of stock to such places as pet dealers, catalogue houses, auctions or other commercial sources of distribution. Nor shall I/we engage in the over-breeding of my own bitches for profit with no regard to quality.
3. I/we will keep breeding and pedigree records accurate, complete and up-to-date according to AKC regulations.
4. I/we will Provide proper registration applications to the buyers, unless other individual agreements have been made between the buyer and the seller
5. I/we will seek to do selective breeding by using studs or matrons so as to reduce faults to a minimum and to secure in the puppies a better type and quality. Dogs offered at public stud shall be used only on purebred registered bitches.
6. All puppies and adults shall be sold in a clean and healthy condition and shall be old enough to make the necessary adjustment to a new home safely, as per the Pennsylvania Dog Law. No adult or puppy shall be sold without adequate protection against disease.
7. I/we will gauge my/our actions on the basis of the interests of the club and of the dog fancy for the present and future.
8. In the event of a complaint lodged against me/us with the Berks County Kennel Club, I/we agree to extend my/our cooperation in the resolution of said complaint.
1. I/we will become familiar with, and will abide by the rules of the American Kennel Club and the AKC standard of my breed (s), also the constitution and by-laws of the Berks County Kennel Club.
2. I/we shall not engage in the wholesaling of litters or the selling of stock to such places as pet dealers, catalogue houses, auctions or other commercial sources of distribution. Nor shall I/we engage in the over-breeding of my own bitches for profit with no regard to quality.
3. I/we will keep breeding and pedigree records accurate, complete and up-to-date according to AKC regulations.
4. I/we will Provide proper registration applications to the buyers, unless other individual agreements have been made between the buyer and the seller
5. I/we will seek to do selective breeding by using studs or matrons so as to reduce faults to a minimum and to secure in the puppies a better type and quality. Dogs offered at public stud shall be used only on purebred registered bitches.
6. All puppies and adults shall be sold in a clean and healthy condition and shall be old enough to make the necessary adjustment to a new home safely, as per the Pennsylvania Dog Law. No adult or puppy shall be sold without adequate protection against disease.
7. I/we will gauge my/our actions on the basis of the interests of the club and of the dog fancy for the present and future.
8. In the event of a complaint lodged against me/us with the Berks County Kennel Club, I/we agree to extend my/our cooperation in the resolution of said complaint.
Meeting Time & Location
BCKC Point Schedule