The Great Dane Club of Raritan Valley is the only Breed Club of its kind in the State of New Jersey. It was founded in June of 1969 under the name of the 'Great Dane Club of New Jersey' and many of its original organizers (though they have moved from the area) maintain their membership to this day.
     The Club's name change took place in 1977 when it became an affiliate of the Great Dane Club of America. Under its new name, it held its first American Kennel Club Sanctioned Specialty Match Show in 1978 and joined with the Plainfield Kennel Club to hold its first Specialty in conjunction with their Point Show ... an association which lasted for over twenty years. In May of 1994, the Club held its very first Independent Specialty and Sweep stakes and has held one every year since and hopes to do so for many years to come.
     Through the years, the GDCRV has supported the entry at the Palisades Kennel Club, Trenton Kennel Club and Morris-Essex Kennel Club Shows and is now hosting a Specialty and Tailgate Party at the Somerset Hills Kennel Club Show in early September.
     As a Club, we pride ourselves in our efforts to make as much educational information as possible available to all spectators and exhibitors at each of our shows. We also financially support all Great Dane Rescue Organizations and assist them with their placement of homeless dogs.
     Although the Club has a very active Show agenda, its primary interest is in educating the public and introducing them to the Breed. It is first and foremost concerned with promoting the health and welfare of the 'Gentle Giants' that it loves so very much.