We're getting an English Shepherd puppy! PUPPY PICS ADDED

[lceh]

The litter was born on March 31, and we'll hopefully be bringing our pup home in mid-June. This will be our first ES, and we're really excited about the breed and Old Time Farm Collies generally. I've owned other herding breeds (collie, corgi), but the ES seems truly unique in its versatility and temperament. How fun to have a puppy again! June seems a long way away.

Any advice from current ES owners out there?

 

[pardygwyn]

Congratulations! So who did you end up getting a pup from?

My advice, if you're not already there, is to join the Yahoogroup for the AWFA. It's a top-rate place for training questions related to the distinctive personalities and working drives of the ES and FC. The Farmcollie list on UVM is helpful, too, but gets less traffic.

 

[lceh]

Hi pardygwyn,
Based largely on some of the great information you gave me (many thanks!), I decided on an ES from Green Mountain English Shepherds (Jana Wilson, http://s2.webstarts.com/GreenMountainShepherds/). I'm hoping these pups will have a fairly mellow temperament compared to some other lines. We've picked out a tricolor male, although as his personality develops the breeder will be watching to make sure his temperament matches what we need. I hope he turns out to be an attentive, bright, but somewhat laid-back boy.

Thanks for the great advice about the Yahoo group. I'm definitely in information-gathering mode and want to learn all I can about the right way to train this breed.

 

[pardygwyn]

Sounds like you have a great rapport with the breeder and they've put some GREAT hips into that pairing!! Definitely an important thing to consider when getting an ES, and I'm jealous (my collies tend to fall into OFA Fair or Good, despite the breed reputation). With parents like those, I'm sure you'll be able to find a puppy that fits your needs, even if this little guy doesn't quite work out.

See you on the Yahoo list!

 

[lceh]

Here he is! We picked him up on Saturday and promptly fell in love. The kids named him "Captain". He's 9 weeks old and quite a charmer. I can already see those ES characteristics -- loves the kids, friendly to strangers we welcome but wary of those we don't, already very much bonded to me, pretty mellow (for a pup), and very aware of his territory. He also REALLY likes the chickens, probably a little too much. Good thing he was on the other side of the hardware cloth, the 6 week old birds sound just like squeaky toys. We'll have to work on that.

Look at that face!

 

[lorieMN]

he is adorable !!! you will love him,they are great dogs

 

[chick4chicks]

Congrats, Captain sure is a handsome little fellow.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Captain is downright adorable! I love tricolored dogs.

I'll bet he's going to be stunning when he grows up. Congratulations on your new family member!