The State Of The Sport – Historical Highs And Trending Lows

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86 – November/December, 2025

By Wayne Cavanaugh

Morris and Essex did something profound. It provided a storied bridge into the past–a lesson in how to respect the sport, its history, and the people who came before us. It was a celebration of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge’s immense contributions to the sport of dogs in America. And it was a rousing success.

For those who hadn’t yet become involved during the golden era of the sport, Morris and Essex was a living, breathing example of how top-flight dog shows used to be. The large breed-entries, and the overall sense and sensibility of the era was on full display. It was a step back in time that offered the rare opportunity to see and compare the best dogs in the country going head-to-head at one of the sport’s most spectacular venues. It brought alive the stories of the past that people new to the sport only could imagine.

Of course, the setting was idyllic, and the weather was precisely dialed in for a dog show. Every detail was executed to perfection by a committee chock full of experience, business skills, and dedication. President and Show Chair Wayne Ferguson’s superb leadership and vision were apparent at every turn. Here’s one of many examples of that vision. When you turn into the site, the gorgeous park and showgrounds you see appear to be recently manicured for the big day. It didn’t get that way with luck and good wishes–Morris and Essex actually pays to maintain those grounds for the five years between shows. Yes, it is undeniable that Mr. Ferguson has carried on the legacy of Mrs. Dodge with efficiency, aplomb, and style.

Capping Morris and Essex’s entry at 4,455 may seem like a random number, but it is yet another choice of respect. They chose to set the limit one dog shy of 4,456, the largest entry of Morris and Essex in history which was held in 1938. Accordingly, Mrs. Dodge’s record shall be left intact in perpetuity.

Click here to read the complete article
86 – November/December, 2025

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Posted by AnthonyA on Nov 12 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.