Question of the Week
Did you attend the Morris & Essex Kennel Club dog show? What are your thoughts and observations?
Karen Wilson
Sperryville, VA
What a grand day for a dog show!
M&E was fabulous - a super entry, wonderful dogs, many happy exhibitors, a lot of spectators, and most of all, the weather was perfect.
Congratulations to Wayne Ferguson and all of the Members of M&E that helped put on this very special event. It is too bad we have to wait another 5 Years for the next one.
Gay Kuehnel-Hisatake
Trenton, NJ
I did attend as well as enter Morris and Essex. The show itself is an absolutely glorious event, and so well run. The grounds and tenting were beautiful. Exhibitors were fascinating to watch in their vintage garments. It seemed to bring out the best in everyone, with smiles and compliments dominating the day. This show gave us an opportunity to see some of the best purebred dogs in the world in an atmosphere that cannot be recreated anywhere else except at this unique once in 5 year dog show. I want to extend my congratulations and sincere thanks to all who contributed in making this day so special and one to remember.
Peggy Kenney
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
As a first time exhibitor at M&E, it has now been checked off my bucket list. Wonderful experience - FABULOUS Weather for a dog show (Thank you God). And if the saints allow my ability to continue showing - it will be on my agenda in 2030. That said, the planners REALLY need HELP with "vehicle traffic control." Exhibitors are accustomed to "hauling" our equipment - but those that were prevented from doing an unload- really faced a challenge hauling from the directed parking area. Pre-show - it was a KNOWN issue - and it does not appear that the organizers improved it from prior years. Staff undoubtedly worked hard - but volume made getting a vehicle parked the only flaw of the show. Better - clearer maps - and way better signage at the show site. Having a sign at shoulder level identifying exhibitor tents - ie Breakfast or lunch - are tough to locate when trying to reconnoiter the great width and breadth of the vast territory. Ring signage was fine - just the "other" necessary tents were difficult to locate. Studying the provided map and then synching that to the reality of the tents and working around the wonderful huge trees could be a challenge. Giving us a full size map along with our Judging Program would have helped.
As a first time exhibitor at M&E, it has now been checked off my bucket list. Wonderful experience - FABULOUS Weather for a dog show (Thank you God). And if the saints allow my ability to continue showing - it will be on my agenda in 2030. That said, the planners REALLY need HELP with "vehicle traffic control." Exhibitors are accustomed to "hauling" our equipment - but those that were prevented from doing an unload- really faced a challenge hauling from the directed parking area. Pre-show - it was a KNOWN issue - and it does not appear that the organizers improved it from prior years. Staff undoubtedly worked hard - but volume made getting a vehicle parked the only flaw of the show. Better - clearer maps - and way better signage at the show site. Having a sign at shoulder level identifying exhibitor tents - ie Breakfast or lunch - are tough to locate when trying to reconnoiter the great width and breadth of the vast territory. Ring signage was fine - just the "other" necessary tents were difficult to locate. Studying the provided map and then synching that to the reality of the tents and working around the wonderful huge trees could be a challenge. Giving us a full size map along with our Judging Program would have helped.
All of the negatives were very minor compared to the joyous vibes of the show spirit and enthusiasm of the day. The creativity and attention to detail in the attire was OUTSTANDING. Many shows have themes - this one was embraced and celebrated by all the participants - all in all a delightful day.
Linda Augustine
Lakeport, New York
I attended the M&E show. Parking and exiting was awful. There should’ve been multiple signs with arrows showing how to exit. It was also very dangerous for spectators to be walking around in the roads while people were trying to look for parking spaces. I could see where it was possible to have a disastrous situation.
I saw so many elderly people using walkers and canes trying to get to the show site from the parking area and remember saying to my friend there is no way she is going to make it to the rings!
They should’ve had more shuttles.
The rings and vending tents should have been set up in a circular pattern instead of lengthwise, as it was just too difficult for the elderly and disabled to walk the entire length to see the different breeds show.
The antique cars offering opportunities for photos was a fantastic idea, but there should’ve been more of them as the lines to get your picture taken with them was just too long.
On a positive note the smiles on everyone’s faces were endless.
Will I come back? Honestly I don’t think so. If it were more days, maybe.
Annette Agostine
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
It was fabulous! One thing I would suggest is to open the grounds sooner.
Robin Gates
Newberrytown, Pennsylvania
For a show of this size, I thought it was very well orchestrated considering all of the people and dogs, they have to move around. The show grounds map was easy to follow and the rings were well marked.
We were able to get in quickly and get parked but that was only because we missed our turn and came in the back way. Having better signage with multiple entrances would be a lot easier to get everyone in quickly.
Starting late and then catching up throughout the day made it confusing for a lot of exhibitors.
A show of this size should have had a small rosette for all placements and offered awards of merit dependent on the entry size. This is a very prestigious event and having a commemorative rosette, rather than a flat ribbon would have made it all the more special.
Overall it was an amazing experience and I will continue to attend as long as I am able.
Sally Felix
Ewing, New Jersey
I did attend M and E. Getting in and out was a nightmare. Vehicles were parked so they blocked the various driving/fire lanes. The show itself was fine and made for great people watching. Hopefully in five years they can find a site with more access points and allow for better parking.
Sue Bauman
Allentown, Pennsylvania
I attended Morris and Essex for the first time my two dogs were entered. The grounds where the rings were could have been marked better so that they could be found when arriving in the dark early in the morning. The Site Control people were very helpful and friendly to everyone guiding them to appropriate parking/unloading areas. The people in the yellow vests were not very helpful or friendly. I know of several exhibitors who were treated rudely by them as they were trying to get to handicap parking and shuttles were not stopping to pick up people. The judges and stewards were great, especially since the start was delayed 30 minutes due to delays getting into the park and parking. The club needs to ensure the clubs with specialties or supported entries get all required information and rules as a club official rudely told the showchair for a supported entry that there are no raffles allowed due to park rules, yet Take the Lead held a raffle. No information was sent to that club or showchair and the rudeness of that person was unacceptable. The box lunch was disappointing it looked terrible, a dry club roll a few chunks of dry grilled chicken one slice of tomato, a tablespoon of potato salad and pieces of a cookie. It was a beautiful day and seeing all the people in all the beautiful outfits was amazing and I hope to come back again.
I attended Morris and Essex for the first time my two dogs were entered. The grounds where the rings were could have been marked better so that they could be found when arriving in the dark early in the morning. The Site Control people were very helpful and friendly to everyone guiding them to appropriate parking/unloading areas. The people in the yellow vests were not very helpful or friendly. I know of several exhibitors who were treated rudely by them as they were trying to get to handicap parking and shuttles were not stopping to pick up people. The judges and stewards were great, especially since the start was delayed 30 minutes due to delays getting into the park and parking. The club needs to ensure the clubs with specialties or supported entries get all required information and rules as a club official rudely told the showchair for a supported entry that there are no raffles allowed due to park rules, yet Take the Lead held a raffle. No information was sent to that club or showchair and the rudeness of that person was unacceptable. The box lunch was disappointing it looked terrible, a dry club roll a few chunks of dry grilled chicken one slice of tomato, a tablespoon of potato salad and pieces of a cookie. It was a beautiful day and seeing all the people in all the beautiful outfits was amazing and I hope to come back again.
Lindy Barrow
Hillsburgh, Ontario, Canada
The most amazing dog event to attend. The club does an amazing job to preserve the history and make this show very special. The entry contained some incredible quality dogs
Ann Moore Schultz
Joppa, Maryland
My first time attending the prestigious Morris & Essex show. I entered a 6-9 month Biewer Terrier puppy bitch. My goal was just to win Winners Bitch to gain the 3 points that she would need for her Championship title. She did win, Winners Bitch and gained 5 points and her Championship title. Only disappointment was there were no New Champion ribbons. Shuttles, box lunches, etc. went better than my expectations. Only comment, there is a lot of walking, so if you have a handicap, maybe reconsider!
Avis Prior
Boston, Massachusetts
I did not. My dog was entered but due to the early ring time, 8:30 AM, and the time it took to drive there from Massachusetts, it was not feasible to try to get there and be there for ring time. Very disappointing.
Maura Ptacek
Huntington Station, New York
Morris & Essex 2025 in the books.
LOVE doing this show BUT if they are going to continue with an entry topping 4000....
PLEASE consider splitting into TWO days! Just like that other BIG show!
It surely would make arriving and unloading easier for all. ESPECIALLY as many of us arriving Wednesday at 5:30 AM got to our ring about an hour to an hour and 1/2 later - TO FIND NO SPACE UNDER THE TENTS!
A bit difficult especially as I was trophy chairman for my breed. We were blessed that the weather was perfect, but with rain most of those crated outside the tents would be drenched!
And a two-day event would allow for folks showing in multiple rings or just wanting to spectate to actually make it to the ring on time.
I thank Morris & Essex for all their efforts - nothing is perfect. BUT we exhibitors need: (1) BIGGER TENTS, or (2) a setup (under the tent) for JUST crates and table - no chairs, no setting up several tables with one crate to "save a space."
Hope I'm there in 2030!
Holly H. Forbes
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
It was an amazing show once you got there. The logistics to get the crowd in caused horrible anxiety! It was a mess on Tuesday night to unload and Wednesday morning to get into the show. And the space for the exhibitors under their assigned tent ring areas was not large enough. However, it was still a day to be enjoyed.