There are dog shows, and then there is Morris & Essex. Held only once every five years, currently on the grounds of Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey, this event is more than a show; it is a gathering that bridges history, tradition, and community in a way no other canine exhibition can. For exhibitors, breeders, judges, and dog lovers alike, Morris & Essex is not just another date on the calendar. It’s a destination, an experience, and a must-attend event.
The Morris & Essex Kennel Club was founded in the 1920s by Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, one of the most influential women in American dogdom and daughter of William Rockefeller and niece of John D. Rockefeller. With her vision and resources, the show quickly became legendary. In its heyday, Morris & Essex drew entries of over 4,000 dogs—staggering numbers that made it the largest show of its kind in the United States. Recent entries are back up to those numbers, but beyond a count, it was and is the atmosphere that sets it apart. Imagine elegantly dressed spectators, immaculately presented dogs, and an aura of refinement that reflected Mrs. Dodge’s passion for dogs and her desire to elevate the sport.
“I wanted to make the dog show something beautiful, something people would remember—not just a competition, but a celebration of dogs and of life.”
— Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, founder of the Morris & Essex Kennel Club
(quoted in The New York Times, 1939)
The original run of the show lasted from 1927 until 1957; even Sports Illustrated covered the show in 1956 (they called it, “The Dog’s Dog Show”). After Mrs. Dodge’s passing, Morris & Essex faded into memory; a golden era of dog showing seemingly lost to history. Yet the legend endured, whispered about in breed circles, remembered in sepia-toned photos and oral histories passed down from mentors to protégés.
Then came the revival. In 2000, M&E President and Show Chair Wayne Ferguson, along with a dedicated group of bona fide dog people, brought Morris & Essex back to life. Since then, the show has been held once every five years (with a slight time readjustment because of COVID), capturing the essence of Mrs. Dodge’s original vision while embracing the modern dog world.
Being a one-day show, with everyone essentially arriving at once, it can be a bit of a challenge just getting to your ring. Arriving at the show can often mean another hour (or more) before you can get to your parking or grooming setup. But once you are there, and take it all in, you are struck by the beauty, organization, and elegance. In fact, the M&E club invests quite a bit in-between the shows, helping to maintain the grounds, and it takes almost a week to set everything up for the one-day event.
Flowers abound, and they are extravagant. The blue and orange club colors appear in the Best in Show ribbon as well as on banners throughout the show. The silver and pewter trophies in their own tent—exact replicas of those from the early days— are breathtaking. Classic cars are on display as well as historical pieces of shows from yesteryear. In 2010, an Art Show competition was launched.
At noon a bell sounds, just as it did in Mrs. Dodge’s day, signaling a break in exhibiting and for the luncheon. That’s right, everyone is served a “box lunch.”
And everywhere you look, exhibitors, judges, and spectators are dressed to the nines, typically highlighting the 1930s through ‘50s eras. Especially hats! Top hats, bowlers, fascinators, pillbox, whatever suits your fancy. Just make sure to join in and get as stylish as you’d like!
My first foray was in 2005. I was told I “must” go, so I did, and I have not missed one M&E since. That was the year that “Rufus,” American, Canadian, Mexican, Of The Americas CH Rocky Tops Sundance Kid CGC TDI TDIA, the red-colored Bull Terrier, was quite competitive. Being my breed, that was extra incentive to attend.
I remember arriving, and Barbara Bishop, Rufus’ owner and a good friend, said, “You need a hat!” She brought me over to her grooming set-up where there was a huge box about the size of a dishwasher—but even roomier. It was filled with hats. Barbara explained that they all belonged to Rufus’ benefactor, Dorothy Cherry. She told me to pick one out for the day.
Now, I have always been a hat person, and this was heaven. I was a kid in a candy store and tried on several. I chose a hat that had been custom made for Dorothy in Italy. It was black and cream, the finest sinamay, gossamer, delicate, stupendous. I put it on. Now I was ready.
My son, Freeman, and I had entries in White and Colored Bull Terriers, and my son won Variety with his white female, Winsors Hope Springs Eternal ROM, aka “Hope,” under judge David C. Merriam, who governed the ring in his formal suit and hat. Freeman was just 15 years old at the time. He would show in the Terrier Group alongside Rufus, who won the Group, and then on to Best in Show. This was a bucket list adventure.
I will never forget that 2005 Best in Show. Our work was done; now it was all about being there to support Rufus, his handler Kathy Kirk, and his team. It was dark. The floodlights were turned on. I think Dorothy Cherry was on her third outfit of the day (shades of purple, of course), dressing the part. Judge Michele Billings awarded Rufus Best in Show, and us BT folks went wild. I am getting goosebumps just writing about it.
What makes Morris & Essex unique is not just its history, but how it is celebrated in the present. The show is as much about community as it is about competition. Exhibitors arrive knowing they are part of something larger than themselves. From the distinctive orange-and-blue color scheme to the complimentary boxed lunches, everything about the event feels special.
Handlers, breeders, owners, and spectators mingle on the lush fields, greeting old friends and making new ones. It is not unusual to see three generations of breeders gathered ringside, sharing stories and watching their breed represented with pride. The 2025 show has 61 Specialties participating and 83 Supported Entries. For many, Morris & Essex is not just a dog show but a reunion; a moment when the dog fancy pauses to honor its history while also celebrating its future.
One of the most powerful aspects of Morris & Essex is how it brings the community together. In an age when so many shows can feel like routine weekends on the circuit, this event stands apart as a reminder of why we fell in love with dog shows in the first place.
Volunteers come from across the country to help set up, steward, and keep the tradition alive. Breeders coordinate meet-ups to celebrate breed milestones. Judges take special pride in officiating, knowing the historical weight of the event. Even spectators, many of whom travel great distances, come not just to see dogs but to be part of the pageantry and the fellowship that Morris & Essex creates.
The show also gives the broader public a chance to see the very best of our sport. The setting, the scale, and the attention to detail all serve to highlight purebred dogs in the most positive light, showcasing their beauty, purpose, and preservation. In a time when the dog fancy faces challenges, Morris & Essex shines as a beacon of unity and pride.
To attend Morris & Essex is to step into history; to look across rows of brilliantly pitched tents and see hundreds of breeds represented in all their diversity. M&E is to experience a show that is not only about winning ribbons but about being part of something that transcends competition.
For newcomers, it is an education; a chance to see the dog fancy at its most vibrant. For veterans, it is a renewal; a reminder of why we dedicate so much time, energy, and heart to this world of purebred dogs.
The show’s essence is “for the love of dogs, and the fellowship of dog people.” That is what makes Morris & Essex a must-attend event. It honors the past, enriches the present, and inspires the future.
In the end, Morris & Essex is not just a dog show. It is a legacy. It is Mrs. Dodge’s vision reborn every five years, reminding us that our community is strongest when it comes together to celebrate our dogs and each other.
Mark your calendar for the latest Morris & Essex (October 1, 2025). Walk the fields. Share the tradition. Feel the history under your feet and the spirit of the fancy all around you. Because M&E is more than a show; it’s an experience you will carry with you forever. And wear a hat!
