Bred by Early Settlers

Black and Tan English Shepherd

English Shepherds are a type of dog that developed in the rural areas of the Appalachian and Ozark regions of the United States. They were bred by early settlers for their versatility and ability to perform a wide variety of tasks on the farm, including herding livestock, guarding the property, and providing companionship. English Shepherds … Read more

Our Purpose

Black and Tan English Shepherd

Through effort and expenditure, we know the genetic signatures for several of the Blankenships’ dogs.  By testing our current dogs, we can determine their congruency to the ancestral line bred by the Blankenships and their co-breeders.  In our effort to preserve the genetics of those dogs, we emphasize the objective over the subjective.  We do … Read more

Black and Tan: The Real Thing

Black and Tan English Shepherd

The Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Association strides to preserve a specific type of dog. We use three investigations as determining factors. Our first investigation is appearance and behavior (phenotype). We use the Blankenship Bloodline Standard as the barometer for this investigation. This same standard of the Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd has … Read more

Planting Little Trees

Black and Tan English Shepherd

Tom D. Stodghill of Quinlan, Texas, and John and Pauline Blankenship of Murfreesboro, TN ran two of the most commercially successful breeding operations in the history of our English Shepherd breed. Stodghill famously bragged in one article about how he had shipped dogs to “All Fifty States.” And I’m confident that the Blankenship’s equaled his … Read more

State of the Bloodline Issue

Black and Tan English Shepherd

American Farm Shepherds Illustrated 2022 June Vol. 2, Issue 2 Contents This issue of American Farm Shepherds Illustrated addresses the state of the Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd bloodline. Breeder Incubator Program Status update on our Breeder Incubator Program. Canceled Canines An interview with an experienced ES breeder about the historical impact of the … Read more

Bloodline stewardship; maximize sibling contribution

Over the course of my professional career, I have learned the value of engaging with subject matter experts when it comes to situations which require critical decision making. To succeed, one cannot be afraid to ask for help and advice. With this lesson in hand, I elected to engage with a conservancy organization on behalf … Read more