English Shepherd Dogs: America’s Original Farm Dog

English Shepherd Dogs have been part of our family for more than 20 years and we have been members of the English Shepherd Club for many years. We cannot imagine our lives without one of these dogs. This breed is the original farm dog that our grandparents and great grandparents remember as the all round farmer’s companion. The English Shepherd dog was developed by American pioneers from British herding dog breeds because farmers needed a versatile working farm dog as well as a protector of home and family.

English Shepherd dogs are still raised today for their unique abilities. They are not obsessive about herding and have the ability to handle the responsibilities of herding and managing all types of livestock, protecting the farm from predators, guarding the home and watching over small children. They make an ideal partner for the small farmer or rancher. They are bred for intelligence, stable temperament, and versatility and are totally devoted to their families. These qualities are transferable to other canine activities such as search and rescue, obedience trials, fly ball and agility…all sports in which English Shepherds excel because of their athleticism, intelligence and desire to please their owners.

English Shepherd Dogs may be black and white, sable and white, black and tan or tri-color. They are a medium size breed with a coat that is easy to care for. They are an active breed, but also are quiet in the house, preferring to lie quietly by their “person”. They are a breed that requires basic obedience training and owners who are committed to being the “pack leader”. Due to their intelligence and energy, left on their own in a kennel or backyard they will develop bad habits. They need human leadership and companionship which will be returned by the English Shepherd many times over.

Our current dogs which are descendents of our original English Shepherds are Benson, registered as Moore’s Benson, a sable and white natural bob tail young male. Benson was bred by Dee Butcher in Oklahoma and comes from a long line of cattle herding dogs. Our female is Moore’s Camilla of Creekview, otherwise known as Cami. Cami is a tri- color and was bred by Sue Boice of Xenia, Ohio. Both are double registered with the United Kennel Club and the English Shepherd Club Registry. Both dogs show strong herding instincts and will start their livestock training in summer of 2008. Both dogs will be x-rayed and cleared for good hips prior to breeding. We are anticipating having puppies late in 2008 or early 2009.