Von Stephanitz in 1930

Captain Max Von Stephanitz, known as the “Father of the Breed” in Germany, is pictured judging the Kennel Show, “Morris and Essex” which was established by Mrs. Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge.

The year is 1930. Captain Von Stephanitz critiqued each dog and bitch despite the large entry. In fact there were so many entries Captain Von Stephanitz judged all males the day before so that two judges would not be needed.

Von Stephanitz was invited to judge by Mrs. Dodge and she saw to it that the Captain was entertained while in America.

The polo fields where Morris and Essex was held was located on the grounds of Mrs. Dodge’s estate in New Jersey.

The Morris and Essex was not held in the years from 1941 through 1945 due to World War II. The site was used for top secret meetings during the war.

Mr. Dodge was owner and President of Remington Arms Company which supplied the majority of the arms and ammunition used by the US during the war. General Eisenhower met there with his War Department staff and ultimately became a close friend of Mr. Dodge.