Black and Tan English Shepherds
Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Association
This category addresses the day-to-day care and management of dogs, including topics such as grooming, housing, feeding, and exercise. It also covers essential dog care skills and tips for maintaining a happy, healthy canine companion.
Abstract This article provides a comprehensive overview of various household and farm toxins and other environmental hazards that pose a risk to dogs. It highlights the potential dangers associated with common foods, household cleaning products, medications, insecticides, pesticides, automotive products, plants, farm products, toys, and miscellaneous items. The article emphasizes the importance of pet owners … Read more
Abstract As older dogs face vision loss due to various factors such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal degeneration, their quality of life and ability to navigate their environment may be compromised. This article provides practical strategies for dog owners to manage their pets’ blindness, focusing on creating a consistent environment, utilizing scent and sound cues, … Read more
Abstract As dogs age, they may experience hearing loss, which can affect their behavior, safety, and overall quality of life. This paper presents a comprehensive set of strategies for dealing with age-related deafness in older dogs, including the use of visual and tactile cues, environmental enrichment, leash training, and controlled socialization. By implementing these strategies, … Read more
Abstract Farm dogs, bred for specific tasks in agricultural settings, possess unique anatomical features that enhance their abilities to perform tasks such as herding, guarding, and tracking. This article provides an overview of the key anatomical adaptations in farm dogs, including their skeletal system, muscular system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, nervous system, coat … Read more
I didn’t write the Canine Bill of Rights, but I believe in it and strive to adhere to it.
The best way to lift the condition of a litter is to reward excellence in all puppies, while providing pathways of opportunity for the least advantaged ones. The least advantaged puppies will ultimately benefit most. This is the promise of litter enrichment – the notion that a rising tide raises all ships. Advanced breeders are … Read more
Recently read, can recommend: Ha, J.C., and T.L. Campion. 2018. Dog Behavior: Modern Science and Our Canine Companions. Elsevier Science. https://books.google.com/books?id=HWM8ugEACAAJ. Scott, J.P., and John L. Fuller. 1974. Genetics and the Social Behaviour of the Dog. A Phoenix Book, P570. University of Chicago Press. https://books.google.com/books?id=ajPrMYi6a2kC. Aloff, B. 2005. Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide : Interpreting … Read more
High-volume breeding is a qualitative, not quantitative label. It is not about the number of puppies being produced, although that is usually a factor. High-volume is qualitative because it means a breeder does not have the knowledge, time or decency to give puppies the appropriate care during some or all of the critical development periods … Read more
A successful breeder or handler understands the critical developmental phases of our canine companions. Neonatal Period Transition Period Awareness Period Socialization Period Juvenile Period Inhibition Period
The problem [with High Volume Breeding] is the accelerated loss of genetic diversity. When you have a high volume breeder using short generation times that loss stands the potential of having a dramatic impact on the breed as a whole – if you’ve seen ICB’s “extinction vortex”, the combination of high volume breeding at short … Read more
Vixen’s Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd puppies are 26 days old today. This morning each puppy received a prophylactic dose of Toltrazuril 5% to stave off potential coccidiosis. This preventative dosing is a standard part of my process. Click a photo to zoom.
Vixen’s Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd puppies began to spend daytime hours outside yesterday. That was a big step, so we didn’t throw much more than that at them. Today, when we went back outside, we started exposing them to the rural sounds of the farm. At first, these sounds are introduced from a … Read more
After about 4 sessions over a 24-hour period, our smart and determined puppies have learned to scale the barrier. The nuance of this seemingly small feat should not be overlooked. This is the biggest challenge these pups have ever faced. Every time they scale the barrier, they build coordination and confidence. Puppy enrichment is progressive, … Read more
Today we introduced barrier training to the whelping box. I like this rolled plastic fence as a barrier because it is soft, scalable and safe. The barrier provides both physical stimulation and requires problem solving for mental stimulation. Click an image to zoom.
In this brief essay, I will describe the genetic organization of a landrace breed, and I will compare it to the closed nucleus system used by most standardized breeds. I will touch on the surface of four possible conservation strategies for a landrace breed, and finally, I will conclude with my personal experience in breeding … Read more