Morris and Essex 1946 – The Return of the Private Party!

By Amy Fernandez

Ch. Benbow’s Beau

“Every dog has his day” that saying entered the realm of annoying advice about a million years ago. But once in a while it turns out to be true and we are way overdue for one of those “days” in this sport. But that’s also what everyone was thinking back in 1946 when dog shows really did seem to be down for the count.

The Morris and Essex Kennel Club show had been the centerpiece of AKC competition for two preceding decades. That fact alone was a bit weird, and it would never ever happen today. A private show…well AKC didn’t love the idea, but they couldn’t do a thing about it, especially since the whole thing came courtesy of Remington/Rockefeller money.

Anyway, Mrs. Dodge basically ran her show like a private party. It was exclusive, limited to breeds she decided to include. And that list was very personal and very arbitrary. Some super popular breeds as well as many that no one –back then at least-ever heard about. Either way, each breed was treated like royalty with dazzling prizes and handpicked expert judges.

On top of that was the show experience …well there was a reason why spectators arrived from every part of the country and every corner of the globe.

Thanks to the money and political clout underwriting the venture, M & E took off like a rocket and it just got bigger and bigger. The 1941 show featured 91 breeds, 34 specialties, almost 4000 entries and over 30,000 spectators. At the time, it was widely considered the greatest dog show ever staged. Good thing because that was the last one for quite a while. As the 1946 Gazette report said, “Five years ago when the world’s coffee pot was rapidly coming to a boil, Giralda Farms, the estate of Mrs. Geraldine Dodge, at Madison, New Jersey, was the scene of the 15^th Morris and Essex Kennel Club show-a show that was undoubtedly the finest in the happy succession.”

That year, with a record-breaking entry and attendance, the big prize had gone to the legendary Ch. Nornay Saddler. It was his 55^th Best. Along with spectators from around the globe, every major new outlet covered Saddler’s win. Looking back now it’s hard to believe that dog shows had ever achieved that kind of broad popular support.

Of course, Saddler was a fabulous dog. Smooths hadn’t done that kind of winning for decades. It was overdue. Then there was the unbelievable personal drama of that win, which still seems a bit fascinating. Nornay Saddler, owned by Mr. James Austin and his daughter Madeline, faced off in the big ring in direct contention with an equally big winner from the Toy Group, Ch. Che Le of Matson’s Catawba, owned by the third member of that family. No, you cannot make that stuff up. And that spicy detail earned a lot of news coverage for the show.

Like much of dog world, M & E was on hold for the duration of WWII. And there was plenty of speculation about if or when it would be back. As Jones happily wrote in his 1946 overview “This year, with banners again flying gaily, markers and platforms and buildings freshly enameled, Morris and Essex returned, not as an all-breed event, but with the entry limited to thirty breeds.” That 1946 show drew 25,000 spectators and most of them stayed for BIS, which reveals how much the paying public truly was captivated by dog shows back then.

Possibly it was intended as a consolation prize, or maybe just cunning PR, but Mrs. James Austin was the BIS judge that year. “Needless to say, Mrs. Austin did a grand job-as well she might, having owned, bred, and exhibited probably more different breeds than anyone else in the U. S.”

Black Cockers were enjoying their moment in the sun thanks to My Own Brucie. Austin’s choice of Benbow’s Beau was a raucous crowd pleaser. It was his eighth BIS that year and the twelfth of his career, very decent winning for such a young dog. And his competition was formidable. Due to the entry restrictions, the Toy Group consisted of a Min Pin, a Pom, and a Peke, Ch. Jai Son Fu of Orchard Hill, also that year’s Westminster group winner.

Terriers went to the multi-BIS Scottie, Ch. Regalf Rebel Leader and Non-Sporting to one of the Lowmont Standard Poodles, Lady Luck, handled by Howard Tyler. Even though the 1946 entry was restricted, the quality was phenomenal. Sirrah Crest Boxers, Noranda Collies, Maralac Airedales, every group lineup was packed with kennels that remain iconic in their respective breeds to this day. Several Westminster group winners walked out of those groups.

All in all, that little walk-through history proves the true resilience of our sport.  M & E 2021 is right around the corner and don’t be surprised if history repeats itself.

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Posted by Jane Alston-Myers on Oct 4 2021. 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.