The club was founded in 1967. The original committee of interested dog enthusiast that formed this club consisted of Mrs. Earl Baird, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Wilkinson, Mrs. John Jonas, Mr. Teresa Miller, Mr. George Lyon, Mr. Charles Smith and Mrs. John Wranek. Some of the earlier meeting places included the Conference Room at Pittman Plaza, CVCC and Lynchburg General Hospital.
The Club’s first American Kennel Club Licensed Show was held on September 21, 1974 at the grounds of the Yellow Branch Elementary School in Campbell County.
In September, 1988, James River Kennel Club, Inc. became a member club of the American Kennel Club.
The club has held AKC Licensed Tracking Test Events, sponsored numerous educational seminars and promoted many breed specific Supported Entries at our shows.