Hello dear readers, here we are back on track and as promised previously I have results and information from America on The Morris and Essex Dog Show.
Geraldine R Dodge was the youngest daughter of William Avery Rockerfeller Jnr and when she married Marcellus Dodge, they we considered the wealthiest newlywed couple in the country. She was already well known in the Canine world as an exhibitor and breeder and her Giralda Kennels, Maddison, New Jersey had a number of pure breeds but was best known for German Shepherds and English Cocker Spaniels. In their new home she also set up a rescue shelter that still operates today. She had a vision of a dog show that was different from the benched shows with a separate Judge for each breed and being held outdoors. In 1927 she founded the Morris and Essex Kennel Club, named after two of the counties in New Jersey. Her grand outdoor shows, held on her estate, were not only the highlight of the dogs show world but the New York Social World, with exhibitors and spectators dressed to the nines. It was the place to be seen from 1927 until it ended in 1957 as Mrs Geraldine R Dodge was no longer able to put the show on.
In 1996 the Morris and Essex archives were discovered by Wayne Ferguson, another well known dog world philanthropist, when attending a board meeting at St.Huberts Giralda (the rescue shelter). He was so enchanted by the 30-year span of the dog show that together with a number of other enthusiasts the revival of the Morris and Essex Dog show was born and is held every 5 years from 2000. Attention to detail and the dress code goes to make it once again – a place to be seen.
Due to Covid and the restrictions in place, 2020 show was delayed to 2021. The results this year were as follows with Judge Linda Clark at Colonial Park, near to the original site in New Jersey on the 6th of October.
Puppy 6-9months Dog – 1. Revelation Aharon Aviv, owned by Richard & Marianne Vargas.
Puppy 9-12 months Dog – 1. Relic the Power of Repetition, owned by Amy Preston.
Bred by Exh Dogs – 1. Relic I am Kanaan, owned by Amy Preston.
Puppy 6-9 months Bitch – 1. Revelation Adiva Aviv of Samara, owned by Phillip Vulliet. 2. Revelation Liluri Avi, owned by David Golden & Cynthia Dodson.
American Bred Bitches – 1. Mofet’s Denali Faultline at Graymatter TKN TT CGC, owned by Dorey Harman and April Gray.
Open Bitch – 1. Golden Light of Relic, owned by Amy Preston.
BEST OF BREED – 1. GCHP Pleasant Hill Avram of Carters Creek CA FCAT, owned by Cynthia Dodson and David Golden. 2. GCH River Rock Unanimous Decision FCAT TKN, owned by Christina Miller. 3. GCHS Pleasant Hill Anni Aharona of Carters Creek ATT, owned by David Golden and Cynthia Dodson. 4. GCH CH Pleasant Hill Regal Ladonna of Eastland, owned by Keith and Cheryl Shank. 5. CH River Rock Turn It Up Loud for Graymatter CGC TKP RN, owned by April Gray.
Exhibition only – 1. CH Jaykay Fearless Defender at Bandersnatch Rosendogs TKN, owned by Amanda Pough & Judy March Rosenthal. 2. GCH CH River Rock Talk Without Speaking Bandersnatch Rsndg TKN, owned by Amanda Pough & Judy March Rosenthal.
It must be a wonderful sight to see so many dogs and their owners in such a setting. There are also photo opportunities with cars from the era. Well done to all and we are especially proud of our Ruth’s (River Rock Underway to Nizzana Imp USA) litter brother on his reserve best dog win. The Best of Breed also made history, Avi (GCHP Pleasant Hill Avram of Carters
Creek CA FCAT) is the only Canaan Dog to have won two consecutive Best of Breeds at this show. Super well done to him, his breeder, owner and handler. That’s all for this week – back to the UK next week, stay safe.
Alison Byrne