Horace Curtis

Black and Tan English Shepherd

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

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Tony Bierman, "Horace Curtis," OBTESA, Accessed January 11, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Use of English Shepherds in World War I

This article states that English Shepherds were used in World War I “in large numbers.” All dogs’ jobs were ranked in order: Sentinels’ assistant Patrol dog Courier Drafting Guard dogs Ratters When Dogs Go To War Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio) · 7 Apr 1918, Sun · Page 30

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Tony Bierman, "Use of English Shepherds in World War I," OBTESA, Accessed January 11, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Effective Conservation of an Important Foundational Strain

Black and Tan English Shepherd

The Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd is an important foundational strain of the English Shepherd landrace. In accordance with best practice for effective landrace management, the Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd merits deliberate and carefully crafted intentional conservation that will benefit the landrace as a whole. Background “Landrace” refers to populations of animals … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Effective Conservation of an Important Foundational Strain," OBTESA, Accessed January 11, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Subscribe to the Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Newsletter

Black and Tan English Shepherd

The 2021 first quarter newsletter from the Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Association was mailed earlier this week. It was just 2 pages, in a simple format. The 2nd quarter’s issues will be 6 pages, full color. Here’s an sneak-peak, early draft of the cover page for the 2nd quarter issue, due out in … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Subscribe to the Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Newsletter," OBTESA, Accessed January 11, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Responsible Landrace Management – Preserving Foundational Strains

Black and Tan English Shepherd

By definition, a landrace consists of composite strains built atop foundational strains. Textbook best practices call for the preservation and sustainment of those foundational strains so that every dog in the landrace always has a true outcross available. Responsible breed management organizations pursue best practices for carefully identifying and nurturing foundational strains. See figure 1. … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Responsible Landrace Management – Preserving Foundational Strains," OBTESA, Accessed January 11, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

My First, Best Friend

Black and Tan English Shepherd

When I was a boy, my family operated a small general store. Part of my duties was to deliver goods to nearby homesteads and settlements. By far, my favorite delivery was to Mr. Bridges’ place. The Bridges’ lived on Factor’s Fork, where the old Natchez Road crosses Shoal Creek. Mr. Bridges himself was an older … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "My First, Best Friend," OBTESA, Accessed January 11, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.