Black and Tan English Shepherds
Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Association
The Black and Tan English Shepherd is a line of working dogs native to the United States. Considered one of the most versatile of all farm dogs, ESBT can hunt and track wild game, protect persons and property, and manage small, medium, or large livestock.
The English Shepherd is a true working dog that was developed in the United States as a farm dog to help with various tasks. Its ancestry traces back to British herding dogs brought to America by early settlers. Over time, the breed has evolved to be well-suited for the diverse needs of American farms.
Some of the breed’s key characteristics include:
Overall, the English Shepherd is a versatile and hardworking breed that excels in various tasks on the farm. Their intelligence, adaptability, and strong work ethic make them a valuable asset for farmers and ranchers alike.
When I think of beauty, and when I think of the history of our great nation, these dogs are what I see in my mind’s eye. My father and my grandfathers shed blood in this nation’s wars so I could pursue liberty and happiness. As did my own wife, who along with my father are … Read more
OBTESA became a Tennessee Nonprofit Corporation on August 10, 2021. The initial board of directors was John Sherling, Larry Raulston and Tony Bierman. The mission of the Old-fashioned Black & Tan English Shepherd Association is to assist and promote the breeding, registration, training, and use of the Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd bloodline. OBTESA … Read more
For a century or more, a culture and tradition has existed around the Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd dog. John Blankenship’s father rode into town on an old gray mare with a black and tan at his side to drive home the livestock he purchased. Walter Oglivie followed on horseback while a pair of … Read more
I grew up the son of a preacher. I can remember a time during my childhood when dad was in-between churches. During that period, we spent about eighteen months living on the northside of Memphis in a neighborhood called Frayser. Times were tight without dad working. To make some extra money for the family, we … Read more
By the time I found grandpa, I had cried myself out of tears. As I recall, I was about eight years old at the time. Ever since I could remember, our dog Old Shep had been by my side. He was my constant companion, and my keeper. But at breakfast that morning, dad told me … Read more
Natchez Trace Liberty[1]Biographical and Husbandry Details for Natchez Trace Liberty from front and both sides at eight months and twenty-nine days old. References[+] References ↑1 Biographical and Husbandry Details for Natchez Trace Liberty
Back as a kid on the farm in the 1940’s and 1950’s, dad always had at least one English shepherd to help him with the stock. I don’t remember exactly where we got those dogs, but I seem to recall somewhere down around Mufreesboro. Those dogs we had were black, with a tan spot above … Read more
Sugar[1]Biographical and Husbandry Details for Natchez Trace Famous Shoes and Vixen[2]Biographical and Husbandry Details for Sherling’s Stone Cold Vixen love the creek. Especially Vixen, who swims like a fish. References[+] References ↑1 Biographical and Husbandry Details for Natchez Trace Famous Shoes ↑2 Biographical and Husbandry Details for Sherling’s Stone Cold Vixen
In the summer of my twenty-fourth year, I earned my living by working as camp tender on a Montana sheep ranch. The great western ranges, unlike other sheep countries of the time, were devoid of sheep fence. As a result, we herded sheep every day of the year except during the winter when we kept … Read more
As a pup, Liberty was put through advanced enrichment training. He and his siblings began their training as neonates, at 3 days old. Over a period of ten weeks, Liberty and his siblings were put through a detailed course that started with Early Neurological Stimulation. They were exposed to Startle Recovery Training. To Ambient Noise … Read more
A year ago last January, I spent my mornings and evenings moving a herd of seventy-five yearling steers. I over-nighted the herd in my barn lot. But each morning, I would move them about a half-mile to a crimson clover pasture. Those steers would liked to have run me and my horse half to death. … Read more
I grew up on a farm in Appalachia. We were a small community that was still isolated even when I was growing up in the seventies. I cannot imagine they ever used dog breeders there. At least not as we know them now. I recall so many dogs in the area that looked pretty much … Read more
Twelve years ago this past March, my husband Arlo came home with a six-week-old puppy. He had stopped off at a dairy farm in Liberty, North Carolina to make a delivery for work. There he found a litter of puppies who reminded him of the farm dogs his family had owned growing up in Tennessee. … Read more
