In July 2003, four Rhodesian Ridgeback fanciers who had been long-time friends agreed it was time to start the process of forming a breed club sanctioned by both the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US and the AKC.

 

Mickey Maynard, Jamie McKinney, Phyl Scalf, and Jerri Webb submitted documentation to both RRCUS and the AKC in September 2003. RRCUS promptly sanctioned the club on September 3, 2003. The AKC process started in early 2004.

 

The club was required to hold A & B ‘fun’ matches and education sessions as a way to demonstrate commitment. These events were held in 2007, and on May 10, 2008, the club officially filed for AKC accreditation.

 

ARRC hosted its first AKC point show in February 2008 at the Fiesta Cluster. The first specialty was held April 3, 2009, in Glendale and had 41 entries judged by Mr. N. L. Patton.

 

ARRC then hosted annual shows until joining the Heart of the Desert Classic, where we began having two specialties on one day.

 

Thanks to a dedicated group of members interested in canine performance activities, the first AKC Lure Coursing Test and Trial events were held February 12, 2017, in Mayer. In March 2024, the club sponsored the first CAT event in Tonopah.

 

The Arizona Rhodesian Ridgeback Club continues to thrive. The year 2023 marked ARRC’s 20th anniversary. Thanks to a strong group of members willing to hold officer positions and volunteer at conformation and performance events, we look forward to the 25th anniversary in 2028.