Midlands and Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club
The First Rhodesian Ridgeback Club to Gain Championship Status in the UK
The First Rhodesian Ridgeback Club to Gain Championship Status in the UK
The Midlands & Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club was founded in 1964, with the inaugural meeting taking place at The Albert Hotel, Nottingham.
Founder members were:
| Mrs E R Baily | Mr & Mrs A Burgoin | Mr & Mrs R Danford |
| Mr & Mrs E Davies | Mr L F Hemstock | Mrs C Johnson |
| Mrs J A C Lilley | Mr & Mrs J A Lovegrove | Mr & Mrs K Martin |
| Mr & Mrs G W Matthews | Mr & Mrs D Peck | Miss D Peck |
| Mr M G Robb | Mr & Mrs J Selby | Mr F R Twiggs |
| Mr & Mrs W Webster | Mr E Wilson |
In 1965 Dr Stephen Young F.R.C.S. J.P., accepted the post of Club President; at that time he was Chairman of the Scottish Kennel Club and also on the General Committee of the English Kennel Club. After the death of Dr Young, the late Marquess of Bath became President. Mr Jack Selby retired as Club Secretary in 1990 after 25 years service and as a gesture of appreciation members nominated him as Club President.
The first show (a Sanction Show), judged by Mr Frank Twiggs, was held in Mansfield during 1965 and for several years after, until numbers of exhibitors became too many for the venue, shows were held at the Annesley Miners Welfare Hall, Annesley, Nottinghamshire. The Midlands & Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club was the First Rhodesian Ridgeback Club to gain Championship Status in the United Kingdom and it was on the 12th of August 1972 that we held our first Championship show. A Benched 12 Class Show held at Annesley Miners Welfare, it was held outside with the Benches in a Marquee on the edge of the playing fields. Judge was the late celebrated Hound Specialist, Mrs Joan Beck. Joan, of the well known engineering family, spent every winter in South Africa where she had been associated with Ridgebacks from her early years. The show attracted an entry of 58 dogs, which in those days must have been a record entry (at the Hound Show the following year 27 dogs made up the entry). It is interesting to note that Puppy, Junior, and Maiden were dog or bitch classes, it was not until novice that they were separated.
1992 brought the Rhodesian Ridgeback World Congress to the U.K. A comprehensive agenda was addressed over this two day event; it was considered a great success by all delegates. The Congress, held every four years in a different country, gives the opportunity for Rhodesian Ridgeback enthusiasts worldwide to exchange views and topics concerning our magnificent breed. Hospitality and lasting friendships have become key features of these get-togethers.
On 19 August 1994 The Club wrote to all R R Clubs in Great Britain and Eire suggesting the time was right to form a Breed Council in order to discuss important breed matters, also any representation to the Kennel Club could be made with greater effect. In April 1998 the Kennel Club granted the four mainland clubs Breed Council Status. Although the R R Club of Ireland cannot be a member due to red tape, their club is not a member of the G B Kennel Club, they are to be involved and any items they wish discussed will be put forward by the member clubs.
In 1994 with Mr Sammy Wallace, President of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club "The Parent Club", Zimbabwe, officiated over a huge entry of 172 Ridgebacks at the Club's 22nd Championship Show. In 1995 the Club invited all the British based Rhodesian Ridgeback Clubs to participate in an Interclub Grand Challenge Match. Now to be held every three years it is intended to be a light hearted social event promoting interclub liaison, with the winning club hosting the next Match. The Kennel Club granted permission for the first Interclub Grand Challenge Match in April 1997. Miss Orit Nevo from Israel accepted our invitation to be Judge and the event turned out to be a great social success. Another notable year was 1996 when Mrs Barbara Sawyer Brown, of the well known Kwetu Kennel in the USA, to judged 185 exhibits at the Club Championship Show.
For many years the Spring Open Show and the Championship Show were both held at Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Showground, however in 2005 we moved the Open Show to mypetstop Pet Resort, Denton, Manchester which has an arena for dog showing and is much warmer. Then in 2007 moved to the mypetstop at Tingley, Wakefield (just off the M62) where we hope to stay for the foreseeable future. In 2008 we held another Open Show in aid of our Club Rescue Fund. This was a huge success and raised £800 for the fund due to the generosity of the exhibitors and donators of the beautiful raffle prizes. It will now be held annually in the autumn with the proceeds going to the Rescue Fund. In 2009 we moved our Championship Show in the new purpose built Kennel Club Building at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
Each year at the Annual General Meeting, Annual Points Trophies are presented. We also hold Educational Events, addressed by people in their respective fields of expertise, to improve Club Members understanding of the breed and related canine matters. Questionnaires and evaluation forms sent to members requested the club put on Seminars with the possibility of discussions on the Breed Standard, Construction, Conformation and Health Issues..
Our Club Members receive informal newsletters with club information and articles of interest and all are encouraged to contribute to these newsletters.
The Club has adopted a specific Code of Ethics, the primary role of which is to serve the welfare and interests of Rhodesian Ridgebacks; all members are required to adhere to its principles. Members are made aware of the importance of checking for hereditary defects such as Dermoid Sinus and use of the Kennel Club BVA Hip Dysplasia scheme is also encouraged.
The objective of the club is to help novice exhibitors, and to establish further interest in the breed. It is for the benefit of and further education of members in the management, training, showing, breeding and in every aspect pertaining to canines, also to promote Rhodesian Ridgebacks in a responsible way.
Committee Members are always available for help and advice.