The GSD in America -1930 - Page 1

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.

Mrs. Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge

 

 

Mrs Dodge had a specially built Cadillac which had 8 doors and could accommodate 12 dogs. She was frequently seen arriving at dog shows with the Cadillac filled with dogs, grooming equipment, and her kennel staff.

 

 

 

Mrs. Dodge is pictured here with CH (US) Giralda's Iso von Doernerhof ScH at the first Morris and Essex Kennel Club Show.

Iso was said to have influenced the breed during that era

Morris & Essex in 1927

This picture was taken at Morris and Essex in the year 1927. There were a total of 595 entries , one of the largest entries of any breed at the show.

The dogs and handlers are identified left to right:

• ISO VON DOERNERHOG AND MR. SIMPSON
• STATAN OF WPG AND MR. J.A. REYNOLDS
• ISO OF ANTHRACITE AND MR. R.A. FARLEY
• INKES OF ROMONT WITH MRS CHARLES BAITER
• SCHATZ OF KITTATINNING AND MR. M.R. NAUSE
• ALEX OF GLENCREST WITH UNIDENTIFIED HANDLER
• ISO OF BERGHALO WITH THE WELL KNOW BREEDER AND IMPORTER MISS MARIE LEARY

The GSDCA will celebrate it's 100th anniversary in Oct.

http://www.germanshepherd100years.com/about-the-centennial

Fascinating stuff Blitzen, thenk you for sharing.

Margaret N-J

 I showed  under Loeb a few times, he was a very stern judge who barked his instructions like a drill instructor. He scared most of us newbies half to death  .

Yes, Leary was Colsalta and she preferred solid blacks.

It's interesting to see the photos of the foundation dogs that were imported by Loeb et al. Comparing their type to today's AKC dogs is a testimony to the power of selective breeding.

Awesome Blitzen!!! Look at those GSD's.
That pic of them lined up is incredible.
Look at those backs. Perfect. Thank you so much for posting them. Take care

I liked the photos of Dodge's retrofitted limo . When Winnie Strickland was alive she used to show up at shows in her Mercedes convertible, top down,  with 3 GSD's, 2 seated in the back seat, one up front in the passenger's seat. I thought that was the ultimate GSD transporation until I saw Dodge's vehicle. Jane Firestone used a private jet to transport Manhattan and Moses to and from shows.  I drove a VW bus to the shows .