Dawson’s Dog

Black and Tan English Shepherd

Dear Mr. Dawson, With a heavy heart, I am writing to inform you that your son Lewis was killed by a bear.  I was his companion and his friend. Some of us were hunting and a few others cooking, and a couple of men had gone off picking some grapes.  Suddenly, a gun was fired … Read more

Gravitas and Grit

Black and Tan English Shepherd

Many of Shep’s and Sally’s ancestors[1]Shep and Sally are by Sallee’s Rustie Jr. out of Sherling’s Jill were drover’s dogs used by farmers and ranchers of the Southeast U.S. to drive stock through thick woods and over narrow mountain paths.[2]Walter Oglivie, “Pete The Mountain Dog,” English Shepherd Club of America’s Who’s Who Breeder Manual, pg … Read more

Virgil Grinder’s Adventures with My Dogs

Black and Tan English Shepherd

Born during the mid-nineteenth century, Virgil Grinder lived an eventful life during a dangerous and violent period in the United States’ history. Starting with his youth in war-torn Appalachia, every step of Virgil Grinder’s lifelong fight for survival was aided by his gritty, loyal black and tan English Shepherd dogs. In the chapters of “Virgil … Read more

Catching Butterflies

Black and Tan English Shepherd

There are a lot rural families here in the Southeast who breed unregistered black and tans. Through my ads in farm magazines, I personally know and have spoken with 8-10 such breeders. Every once in awhile, a club breeder will “discover” an unregistered line of dogs from here. Kind of the way Columbus “discovered” America … Read more

The Barnes’ Family Dogs

Black and Tan English Shepherd

Mr. Charles Barnes of Virginia recently traveled to Alabama to pick-up a puppy by Sallee’s Rustie Jr. out of Sherling’s Princess.  The Barnes family has kept Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherds for two generations, dating back to IESR and UKC dogs from the 60s. The Barnes’ dogs included Barnes’ Lady by Blankenship’s Buster out … Read more

The End of My Childhood

Black and Tan English Shepherd

My family settled near Wartburg, Tennessee in 1845. I was born a short three years later in October of 1848. I grew up during a troubled time in the history of our country. Up until the time I left home, I expect that I ran into about as much trouble as any other boy in … Read more

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