Farm Shepherds Illustrated -

Lure Coursing with English Shepherds

April 6, 2021April 4, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

I recently purchased a commercial lure coursing system from Lucky Dogs Lure Coursing. The quality of the equipment was apparent from the moment I opened the box. This system is built to last. Here’s a video of two of my English Shepherd dogs enjoying the system.

Sherling’s Stone Cold Vixen

March 25, 2021March 18, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

My girl Vixen (UKC P969-673 Sherling’s Stone Cold Vixen) got her Embark DNA lab work back today. Vixen was found to be free of the breed-relevant conditions tested for by Embark. Xen’s dam is Sherling’s Meg (UKC P858-816). On her bottom line, she goes back through Meg to Raulston’s Roxie Foley, Foley’s Dixie Bell Patton, … Read more

Liberty on the Goats

March 16, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

It was Liberty’s turn to tend the goats with me this morning. I feel like he’s coming along nicely for a boy his age.

Sugar Holds the Gate

March 14, 2021March 14, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

Sometimes when we’re putting the goats back into their pen I’ll ask Sugar to hold the gate while I round up a stray. Here she keeps three bucks in while I retrieve a stubborn nanny from the brush line.

The Daily Goat Dog Routine

March 10, 2021March 10, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

Here on Roanoke Creek Ranch, there are usually three opportunities per day for goat dog training. The early morning feeding Mid-morning open range rumination Late afternoon open range rumination Generally, the youngest member of the goat dog team comes along for early morning feeding. The interaction is safe, and the pup/young dog gets face time … Read more

3-Tool Goat Dog

March 8, 2021March 8, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

Sugar is the most valuable tool on my ranch. She is what I’ve come to call a three tool goat dog. I’ve spoken previously about Sugar’s ability to help me move my goats from pasture to pasture. I’ve also written about Sugar’s ability to hold a goat while we’re in the catch pen so we … Read more

3rd Annual English Shepherd Roundup

March 3, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

…..Okay all English Shepherd owners it is time to think about and make reservations for the 3rd annual English Shepherd Roundup held at Four Paws Kingdom (new owners) in Rutherfordton North Carolina. https://4pawskingdom.com/ It will be the last weekend in October. The 29th, 30th, and 31st. It fills up very quickly so make your reservations … Read more

Liberty Makes the A Team

March 1, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

The orchard grass in the goat pasture was getting nibbled down a bit low. I felt it best to let the goats out of their confinement to ruminate freely around the ranch. With Sugar in season, it fell to Liberty to help me manage the herd for a few hours today while they were out. … Read more

Middle Tree Farms 2021 Puppy Reunion will be Saturday June 5th

February 26, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

From Caroline Betts, proprietor of MTF – “I am so happy to welcome all the new puppy owners to our Middle Tree family. You are always welcome to bring the puppy for a visit or join us in our classes or just for playing in the fields. The farm gate is always open and please … Read more

Horace Curtis

February 23, 2021February 23, 2021 by A.L. Bierman

It is hard to put a finger on how many Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherds were bred by John and Pauline Blankenship of Rutherford County, Tennessee. Considering that the couple bred dogs for the better part of four decades, I think it is safe to say the number probably clears a thousand. But the … Read more