English Shepherd as Poultry Guardian

[dan26552]

I assume you had containment issues with the goats?

No, not at all

 

[dekel18042]

Just for the hell of it...these are 'classic' pure English Shepherds. Not bastardized or watered down with any other "herding stock'' that could make them very difficult to brake off chickens...Sheep are just a bit tougher than chickens.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Just saying...... My family owned English Shepherds, before me, going back at least 70+ years. We've had black and white before me and my childhood. I thought they were border collies except my parents called them "farm collies" and my cousins and uncle used them for hunting. Never knew a border collie who was good at that. We've had mahogheny and sable and white. Knowing the history I wouldn't willingly choose a black and tan but a good dog can't be a bad color.
During, I believe it was the 1950's Tom Stodghill wanted the English Shepherd to be recognized by AKC and toward that end he worked. He felt the breed would have a better chance if they became cookie cutter dogs, more alike, including appearance, rather than the brilliant dogs they are that can do a myriad of jobs. He wanted one color and one color only. (Shudderiing)
Most died in the wool ES lovers thank their lucky stars he didn't succeed, and to this day the ES remains unrecognized by AKC. Many ES owners, when asked what their dogs are will say Farm Collie, or farm shepherd or herding dog.
There are several organizations the ES can be registered in, but some people are pulling their UKC registrations because they don't want their dogs shown and UKC seems to be pushing for that.
A great breed that has remained unspoiled over the years and with an interesting history.

 

[dan26552]

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Just saying...... My family owned English Shepherds, before me, going back at least 70+ years. We've had black and white before me and my childhood. I thought they were border collies except my parents called them "farm collies" and my cousins and uncle used them for hunting. Never knew a border collie who was good at that. We've had mahogheny and sable and white. Knowing the history I wouldn't willingly choose a black and tan but a good dog can't be a bad color.
During, I believe it was the 1950's Tom Stodghill wanted the English Shepherd to be recognized by AKC and toward that end he worked. He felt the breed would have a better chance if they became cookie cutter dogs, more alike, including appearance, rather than the brilliant dogs they are that can do a myriad of jobs. He wanted one color and done color only. (Shudderiing)
Most died in the wool ES lovers thank their lucky stars he didn't succeed, and to this day the ES remains unrecognized by AKC. Many ES owners, when asked what their dogs are will say Farm Collie, or farm shepherd or herding dog.
There are several organizations the ES can be registered in, but some people are pulling their UKC registrations because they don't want their dogs shown and UKC seems to be pushing for that.
A great breed that has remained unspoiled over the years and with an interesting history.

 

[TalkALittle]

Personally, I like the look of the tri-colored and sable ES. The black and white always make me think "border collie" but the conformation is obviously different, not to mention they have no eye when working stock.

 

[centrarchid]

If my understanding is correct, then the English Shepherd figures heavily in the background of the Border Collie.

Since my ES is brindle over sable lacking white (not pied), I can see why many dogs, especially those that might be used with livestock would have lots of white on them. It makes the dogs easier to see under all conditions which can be important when giving more than one dog commands and distinguishing the dogs from those that should not be out there. The pied pattern also makes easier to see direction dog is oriented in. My dog is down right hard to see when working in brush and when light levels are low.

The picture of the black and tans above look interesting, especially the dog on the right. It looks heavy as in quite a bit heavier than mine where Ben appears to be maturing on the upper size range of ES. Feet of that dog also look heavy relative to body. Would be nice to see original picture especially with respect to rear legs. I would like to count toes. My original concern with ES is they would be too gracile to deal with challenges we have here. As such I was looking for ES crossed with one of the LGD breeds and did find a couple but could not acquire. As adults the crosses where heavy set like the heavier black and tan above. It appears Ben will have backup to be able to handle his job here just fine despite maturing at around 65 to 70 lbs.

 

[dan26552]

If my understanding is correct, then the English Shepherd figures heavily in the background of the Border Collie.

Since my ES is brindle over sable lacking white (not pied), I can see why many dogs, especially those that might be used with livestock would have lots of white on them. It makes the dogs easier to see under all conditions which can be important when giving more than one dog commands and distinguishing the dogs from those that should not be out there. The pied pattern also makes easier to see direction dog is oriented in. My dog is down right hard to see when working in brush and when light levels are low.

The picture of the black and tans above look interesting, especially the dog on the right. It looks heavy as in quite a bit heavier than mine where Ben appears to be maturing on the upper size range of ES. Feet of that dog also look heavy relative to body. Would be nice to see original picture especially with respect to rear legs. I would like to count toes. My original concern with ES is they would be too gracile to deal with challenges we have here. As such I was looking for ES crossed with one of the LGD breeds and did find a couple but could not acquire. As adults the crosses where heavy set like the heavier black and tan above. It appears Ben will have backup to be able to handle his job here just fine despite maturing at around 65 to 70 lbs.

And they have short tails

 

[centrarchid]

I cannot see tail length clearly.

 

[dan26552]

I cannot see tail length clearly.

They're kinda weird looking to me

 

[aart]

Quote: Wonder if they clipped tails...not unusual for working dogs with feathered tails.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

Wonder if they clipped tails...not unusual for working dogs with feathered tails.

Yes, they dub the tails, though my dog is dubbed much shorter then that.