Our Mission & History
Dog Writers Association of America is the most recognized professional writing association devoted to dogs.
Dog Writers Association of America encompasses all aspects of the world of dogs – showing, performance, behavior, training, health, and the human animal bond. We recognize many kinds of media besides journalism. Artists and photographers have joined our ranks and we include mystery and fiction writers, poets, historians and veterinarians. We have members who host national radio shows and others who appear on TV programs. Blogging, website production, social networking, and videography are among the professional activities of other members.
For publishers and editors, we can recommend professional writers, help with topics for articles, and suggest sources and interview subjects.
For our members, we can share ideas for articles, help with interviews, discuss fees and contracts, and otherwise support you as you advance your career.
Our newsletter, “Ruff Drafts,” is published quarterly. It includes articles and artwork by our professionals as well as columns by the officers.
History of the Dog Writers Association of America
The Dog Writers Association was created on February 13th, 1935 at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. A group of editors and publishers were invited to the Westminster Kennel Club’s meeting room of the old Madison Square Garden, then located on Eighth Avenue and Fiftieth Street.
All that survives of the first meeting is a crumbling, yellow sheet of note paper “DUES PAID AT FIRST MEETING” listing the names of eight people. These early meeting minutes set dues and decided that an annual meeting would be held in New York City every year immediately before the Westminster Kennel Club show.
From those eight founding members, DWAA has grown to a thriving membership of over 500.
From its very beginning, the DWAA objective has been to secure courtesies and amenities at dog shows so necessary for dog writers to do their jobs properly. Press facilities with laptop computers, tables, show results, catalogs and judging programs are now the established rule for dog shows around the country.
The best known feature of the DWAA is the annual writing contest, which encourages excellence in writing about dogs in all aspects of communication. The competition is open to all writers, photographers, editors and publishers — with no distinction between amateurs and professionals.
The annual awards program has traditionally been held the day before the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show to present the awards to the winners of the writing competition. The results are published around the world.
In Memoriam of Mordecai Siegal
1935-2010Most of my colleagues are fellow dog writers who belong to the organization nearest and dearest to my heart, the Dog Writers Association of America. If you have a passion for dogs, write a lot, a little, for the love it, or for the hell of it, I invite you to join us at the DWAA. Sometimes we’re good company and sometimes we are irritating beyond belief, but we are always interesting. At DWAA there is friendship to be found, networking to take advantage of, and at important times, a helping hand.”
