BECOME A MEMBER OF BHCA

Membership in the Basset Hound Club of America is open to anyone with an interest in promoting the welfare of this wonderful breed.  You must agree to follow all practices outlined in the Code of Ethical Conduct. Applicants must be in good standing with the American Kennel Club and all, except Associate Members, must have two current members provide written recommendations that attest to their character, their intent in joining, and experience with our breed.

As a member of BHCA, you will receive a subscription to Tally-Ho the Club's highly-esteemed bimonthly magazine, which contains articles dealing with all aspects of the breed, club news, information about upcoming competition events, and many color photographs.

Membership Categories

Individual Membership

Open to all persons 18 years of age and older.  Individual members enjoy all the privileges of the Club, including the right to vote and hold office. Requires a completed application for membership, signed Code of Ethical Conduct and recommendation from two current Club members in good standing.  Annual dues of $55 and, for non-US residents, optional postage for mailing Tally-Ho, must accompany the application.

Household Membership

Open to two persons 18 years of age and older who reside in the same residence.  Both persons enjoy all the privileges of the Club, including the right to hold office, but will share one vote.  Requires a completed application for membership, signed Code of Ethical Conduct by both individuals, and recommendation from two current Club members in good standing.  Annual dues of $55 and, for non-US residents, optional postage for mailing Tally-Ho, must accompany the application.

Junior Membership

Open to persons 17 years of age and under.  Junior members are not entitled to vote or hold office but are entitled to certain other privileges of the Club, as determined by the Board of Directors.  Upon reaching his/her 18th birthday, a Junior member must convert to a Single or Family Membership, if he/she wishes to remain in the Club.  Requires a completed application for membership indicating date of birth, signed Code of Ethical Conduct, and recommendation from two current Club members in good standing.  There is NO fee for Junior members unless they request their own copy of the Tally Ho, in which case annual dues are $18 and, for non-US residents, optional postage for mailing Tally-Ho. Any applicable fees must accompany the application.

Associate Membership

Associate members do not require sponsors at the time of application but will receive special consideration if they have experience with local clubs, AKC dog sports, or breed rescue.  Associate members enjoy all the benefits of individual membership except they cannot vote in elections or hold office.  Associate membership is a great way to start out in the Club, allowing you to learn more about the breed and become acquainted with Club members.  Annual dues of $55 and, for non-US residents, optional postage for mailing Tally-Ho, must accompany the application. Please note: You must submit an application — and inform the BHCA Corresponding Secretary — when joining as an Associate Member. Paying dues alone will not make you a member.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORMS

You can complete your membership application online here. This link will take you to a page containing the membership application form.

  • If you are applying for a membership category that requires BHCA member sponsors, they can find the sponsor form online here.

If you prefer to mail in a paper application, click here to download a PDF of the paper application form. (PDF will open in a new window.)

  • If your sponsors prefer to apply using a paper form, they can print the form out here. (PDF will open in a new window.)

Application Fees

You may pay your application fee by check or online on the BHCA website. The application fee covers your dues for the year in which you apply for membership. Dues are renewed annually and are due no later than August 31st. Fees are as follows:

  • $55 - Single, Household or Associate membership
  • $0 - Junior membership with no Tally Ho
  • $18 - Junior membership receiving their own Tally Ho

Additional optional payments

The Tally Ho club newsletter is delivered within the United States via USPS periodical rate. Receipt via bulk mail is free.  You may receive expedited or out-of-country delivery for additional fees as follows.

  • $0 - Periodical rate Tally Ho Postage
  • $30 - Priority mail Tally Ho postage
  • $20 - Canada & Mexico Tally Ho postage
  • $50 - All other countries Tally Ho postage

You may include with your application fee additional contributions to the AKC Basset Hound Donor Advised Fund at the AKC Canine Health Foundation, or to the BHCA Foundation, which funds projects that further the welfare of the breed. If paying online, you may include these contributions with your application fee. If paying by check, these contributions should be made by separate checks.

Submitting payment

You may either:

  • Pay the application fee and optional fees online here, or
  • Send a check for the dues amount, and separate checks for any optional fees, to the Corresponding Secretary at:
    Marianne Lovejoy, PO Box 1415, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693-1415

Application Process 

Once your application is received:

  • Notice of the application will be posted on the BHCA website and you start to receive the BHCA Tally Ho newsletter with its next publication date.
  • Members have 60 days after publication to comment on the application.
  • Following the end of the comment period, the Board will review and vote on the application.
  • Once the Board votes, new members will receive a welcome packet.

Quick Links to forms needed (pages open in new windows):

Questions?

If you have questions about your application, or about the application process, please contact the Corresponding Secretary.