National Specialty · Topeka, Kansas

Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States National Specialty 2026

October 10–17, 2026 — eight days of Ridgebacks: sweepstakes, breed judging, Junior Showmanship, obedience, rally, lure coursing, agility, Fast CATs, scentwork, and the Top 25 at the Hotel Topeka at City Center in Topeka, Kansas

Approved Premium published
01

Weekend at a glance

Verified 2026 Premium published Registration closed

The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States hosts its 94th National Specialty October 10–17, 2026, at the Hotel Topeka at City Center in Topeka, Kansas — a full week that opens with the board meeting and Fast CATs and runs through breed judging, sweepstakes, Junior Showmanship, obedience and rally, the Best Ridge competition, the Top 25, and Saturday's AKC lure coursing trial.

Dates

October 10–17, 2026
Saturday through Saturday

Venue

Hotel Topeka at City Center
1717 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, KS 66612

Host club

Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, Inc.
AKC parent club for the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Superintendent

Rau Dog Shows
Diana Komarek, Event Secretary · 2509 SW Chauncy Dr, Topeka, KS 66614

Entries

Registration closed
Closed Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT · all events unbenched and indoors

Format

94th National Specialty week
Breed judging, sweepstakes, Juniors, obedience, rally, lure coursing, agility, Fast CATs, scentwork, Endurance Trial, Top 25

Enter the national

Entry services
Rau Dog Shows — conformation, obedience, and rally entries via Rau Entry Services (raudogshows.com)
Closing
Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT
Conformation first entry
$37.00
Conformation 2nd entry, same dog
$32.00
Puppy (up to 12 months) & Bred by Exhibitor
$32.00
Sweepstakes (puppy, junior & veteran)
$28.00
4–6 Month Puppy
$15.00
Junior Showmanship
No entry fee
Obedience first entry
$37.00
Obedience 2nd entry, same dog
$32.00
Rally first entry
$37.00
Rally 2nd entry, same dog
$32.00
Scentwork
$40.00
Fast CAT
$25.00 pre-entry / $30.00 day-of
Best Ridge Competition
$20.00
Canine Good Citizen
$25.00
Endurance Trial
$25.00
Triathlon
$15.00
Parade of Rescues
No entry fee
Dates, venue, judges, fees & closing verified via the club's official info packet

Lure coursing, agility, scentwork, and Fast CAT have separate entry forms, fees, and event secretaries — their own premiums are at the end of the info packet with their own closing dates.

02

The days

The tentative day-by-day schedule for the national specialty week. Verified 2026

DayWhat’s on
Saturday, October 10RRCUS Board Meeting (9A–4P); Fast CATs 1 & 2 (8A–3P, on site)
Sunday, October 11Agility (8A–5P, Blue Springs, MO); Fast CATs 3 & 4 (8A–3P, on site); welcome check-in (10A–3P); rally/obedience practice (3P–5P); crating and vendor set-up (4P–7P)
Monday, October 12Obedience (8A); CGC/CGCA/Trick Dog (8A); Breeder & Veterans Celebration (5P–6P); Veteran Sweepstakes (6P)
Tuesday, October 13Endurance Trial (6A, Shawnee Lake); Rally (8A); Sweepstakes and Juniors Sweepstakes (8A); Scentwork (8A–5P); Chuck a Duck (noon); 4 to 6 Month Puppy and Triathlon Conformation (to follow); Awards Dinner (6P) and Awards Ceremony (7P)
Wednesday, October 14Breed Judging — Dogs (8A); Health & Genetics Survey Results (noon); Veteran Dog, Non-Regular Dog, Stud Dog, and Brace classes (to follow); Breeder's Education Seminar and Junior's Handling Seminar (4P); Annual Meeting Dinner (6P) and Annual Meeting (7P)
Thursday, October 15Breed Judging — Bitches (8A); Judges Education / Ringside Mentoring (8A); Best Ridge (noon); Veteran Bitch, Non-Regular Bitch, and Brood Bitch classes (to follow); Judge's Hands-on (4P); Parade of ET & Parade of Rescues (6P); Top 25 Event (7P)
Friday, October 16Junior Showmanship Judging (8A); Breed Judging — Best of Breed (8:30A); Best Veteran, Best Bred By, Best Puppy, Best NOHS (to follow)
Saturday, October 17AKC Lure Coursing (7A, Jacomo State Park)

The club marks this schedule tentative. Verified 2026

03

Today’s Ring Card

Your show-day schedule, saved by date.

Judging program not yet published

No ring times or ring assignments have been verified yet. Ring cards will be built from the official program as soon as it’s out.

04

Breed Judge Finder

The verified judging slate for the 2026 national specialty week. Verified 2026

Breed classes
Mrs. Denise Flaim
Sweepstakes (puppy, junior & veteran), stud dog, brood bitch & brace
Mrs. Tammy Lynch
Junior Showmanship
Mrs. Ann Meyer
4–6 Month Puppy
Dr. Ryan Buzard
Obedience & rally
Mr. Russell Hornfisher
Triathlon conformation
Ms. Sally Fineburg
Best Ridge — dog
Ms. Erin Prendergast
Best Ridge — bitch
Mrs. Annette Ernst
Best Overall Ridge in Show
Mrs. Jane Gentzen
Agility
Mrs. Karen Winter
Lure coursing
Ms. Sabrina Hiller · Mr. Tom Golcher
Scentwork
Ms. Kathy Echols · Ms. Laura Stoltzfus

Judges announced in the club's official 2026 national specialty info packet. Verified 2026

05

Juniors

Junior Showmanship judging runs Friday morning, with juniors sweepstakes earlier in the week. Verified 2026

Junior Showmanship (Friday, October 16)
Mrs. Ann Meyer — no entry fee
Juniors Sweepstakes (Tuesday, October 13)
Mrs. Tammy Lynch
4 to 6 Month Puppy (Tuesday, October 13)
Dr. Ryan Buzard

The Junior's Handling Seminar runs Wednesday at 4P.

06

Specialties & supported entries

The specialty spotlight for this event.

Event
Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States National Specialty 2026
Breed
Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hound Group)
Type
94th National Specialty
Host club
Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, Inc.
Dates
October 10–17, 2026 — Topeka, Kansas

Special attractions include the Endurance Trial, Triathlon, Scentwork, the Best Ridge competition, the Top 25 event, Best Veteran, Best Bred By, Best Puppy, and Best NOHS. Verified 2026

07

Plan your visit

Host hotel

The show's home base is the Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, KS 66612 — local (785) 431-7200. All events are unbenched and indoors; show hours are 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Agility hotel block (Blue Springs, MO)
Sonesta Essential Hotel and Suites, 3120 NW Jefferson, Blue Springs, MO — 816-224-1122 — Rhodesian Ridgeback Agility block, Group ID G1072, $99/night with a flat $25 pet fee and up to 4 dogs per room; block released September 25, 2026

The info packet doesn't list a room rate or room-block details for the main week in Topeka. Pending

Show veterinarian

On call (daytime)
University Veterinary Care Center — 2619 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604 — (785) 233-3185 (Mon–Fri 8A–6P, Sat 8A–noon)
After hours
Emergency Animal Clinic of Topeka — 5501 SW 29th St, Suite 3 — (785) 272-2926
08

Documents

Official documents for the national specialty week. Verified 2026

Sources

  • Official2026 national specialty info packet (PDF) — dates, venue, judges, fees
  • OfficialAKC National Specialties inventory (apps.akc.org) — dates and city cross-check