Vixen at five and a half months
My female pup Vixen has become old enough to spend about half the day in the large day run. Here’s a photo of her. Vixen is out of Sherling’s Meg and Sherling’s Jack.
Black and Tan English Shepherd Bloodline
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:
- Intelligence: English Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs, making them easy to train and capable of learning a wide range of tasks. This intelligence allows them to assess situations and make decisions independently, which is crucial for effective herding and livestock management.
- Adaptability: The breed is known for its adaptability, enabling it to work in various environments and weather conditions. This adaptability is a result of generations of selective breeding to create a dog that can thrive in different settings and perform a variety of tasks.
- Strong work ethic: English Shepherds have a strong work ethic and drive, always eager to work and please their handlers. This quality makes them excellent working dogs, as they are dedicated to their tasks and can be relied upon to complete them efficiently.
- Herding abilities: Unlike many standardized herding breeds, English Shepherds are able to work with a wide range of livestock, including sheep, cattle, and poultry. This versatility makes them invaluable assets on farms with diverse types of animals.
- Guarding instincts: In addition to herding, English Shepherds have natural guarding instincts, making them effective protectors of both livestock and property. They are known to be loyal to their families and can be wary of strangers, which contributes to their role as guardians.
- Hunting skills: Although primarily bred for herding and guarding, English Shepherds are also skilled hunters. Their keen sense of smell, agility, and endurance make them useful for tracking and hunting various types of game, from rodents to larger prey.
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.
Sherling’s Stone Cold Vixen
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
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
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.
3-Tool Goat Dog
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
Liberty Makes the A Team
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
Horace Curtis
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
Responsible Landrace Management – Preserving Foundational Strains
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
My First, Best Friend
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
James Maynard’s Males
Let’s take a quick look at James Maynard’s males. According to records, Mr. Maynard owned 5 males. Males Sire Strain Maynard’s King I Smith’s King ? (no male progeny) Maynard’s Duke Maynard’s King III A1a H1a.48 Maynard’s King III Oney’s Smoke A1a H1a.48 Maynard’s Prince Sallee’s Okla Boo A1a H1a.48 Maynard’s King Bob Maynard’s Prince … Read more
Janice Sallee’s Males
Let’s take a quick look at Janice Sallee’s males. According to records, Mrs. Sallee and her husband together owned 12 males. Males Sire Strain Sallee’s Okla Boo Smokey Ruff A1a H1a.48 Sallee’s Hub Cap Sallee’s Smoky Bear ? (no recorded progeny) Sallee’s Sambo Wheelbarger’s Ebony A1a H1a.29 Sallee’s Billy Bob Sallee’s Sambo A1a H1a.29 Sallee’s … Read more
Mitchell Oney’s Males
Let’s take a quick look at Mitchell Oney’s males. According to records, Mr. Oney owned 8 males. Males Sire Strain Oney’s Ruff Yoder’s Fritz Duke A1a H1a.29 Duke (sire of Oney’s Butch) Williams’ Bob A1a H1a.48 Oney’s Ziggy Oney’s Butch A1a H1a.48 Oney’s Toby Nick (Stodghill) (?) Oney’s Butch Duke A1a H1a.48 Oney’s Sam Bruce … Read more
Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Male Puppy Available
This Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd puppy is available for adoption. Other dogs from this line are used in hunting, vermin eradication, property protection, and livestock management activities. These are medium-sized, strongly built and active dogs. With intelligence, alertness, and companionship, this dog will fit well in an urban home, a rural home, or … Read more