Specializing in Purpose-bred Chore Dogs
We’ve been loving this breed
since 1993 when we got our first English Shepherd from a local farmer. Our dogs
are purpose bred and great assets on our small farm. They are great chore dogs;
watching gates, returning escaped animals and serving as my right hand. They
help move sheep and ducks from pasture to paddock, round up an errant pig,
eradicate vermin and keep predators at bay. Always on the job, they serve as
watchful protectors of home and farm and are unequaled as family companions. We
are not a kennel. Our three English Shepherds are valued as much for their
companionship as they are for the practical help and protection they give us.
Our Mission
Before the decline of the family farm, English Shepherds were America’s
farm dog. With the resurgence of small farms, we’d like to see them reign once
again on Michigan farms and homesteads. We place pups each year on Michigan
farmsteads. Some pups take their places as cherished companions in non-farm
homes. Because of our commitment to reestablishing the breed in our home state
and our willingness to take a dog back that isn’t working out, we only place
our pups in Michigan homes.
Our breeding dogs have been selected from old-fashioned lines that have been maintained by farmers and are under-represented in the breed population. | Our Philosophy on Health Issues and Nutrition
We strive to provide a species appropriate diet to each animal in our
care for their good health and in an effort to avoid the illnesses and diseases
common to livestock and domestic pets. Some grains and preservatives common in
commercial dog food can cause allergies and illness. We used to feed a prey
model diet of raw meat and organs but now add in cooked vegetables, eggs, brown
rice and Mega C Plus. Our dogs seemed starved for carbohydrates on the prey
model diet and the addition of brown rice and mixed vegetables keeps them from
balanced. The Mega C Plus provides vitamins and minerals to make their diets
complete.
Few diseases plague the English Shepherd breed. One problem English Shepherds have in common with many breeds is incidences of hip dysplasia. We have been back and for the on the idea of hip x-rays as a selection tool to prevent passing on hip problems. Annie and Tucker have had their hips screened and Shane has not. Dr. Wendell Belfield’s research and commonsense approach convinced us that dysplasia is caused by improper collagen production and can be corrected with proper nutrition. Rather than pay close to $400 to find out the status of a dog’s hips, we’ve decided to supplement our pups so that they develop properly. Following Dr. Belfield’s recommendation, each pup receives its first Mega C drops within the first two hours of life and continues receiving the supplement as long as they remain here. We highly recommend that Mega C Plus remains a part of their everyday diet when they move to their new homes. |
Chore Dogs
How Our Dogs Help Us Each Day
Shane and I have a daily routine that varies somewhat with the seasons
and how many and what species animals we have. He has experience with goats,
sheep and poultry. We haven’t had pigs for a couple of years, but will be
getting them once again. Annie and Tucker have worked goats, sheep, hogs and
poultry. The example of an average day is working with an adult dog. Leaving
pups alone with livestock is not a good idea. Puppies can be rough with poultry
and young animals. Large animals can hurt them. It is best to bring young dogs on
chores so they can learn the appropriate behavior around livestock.
Sheep Chores
Shane goes ahead of me and moves the ewes out of my way so I can easily
walk to the pasture gate. The Buckeye hens tag along. At the same time, he
keeps an eye out for Mr. Meany Pants, the Buckeye rooster. If he gets too close
to Shane or me, Shane drives him away.
Shane drops back a little as I approach the gate. While I undo the latch, Shane sees to it that the sheep don’t get close to me. I open the gate wide and Shane moves to the rear and drives the sheep through the gate.
The rams now need to be let out to their grazing area. We enter their nighttime pen and Shane drives them to the gate. This takes some finesse during breeding season because the rams are high-strung. The adult ram sometimes makes a surprise move and veers directly toward me. Whether he is coming at me in a friendly way (doubtful) or in a challenging manner (probably), his advances are unwelcome. Shane checks my position and theirs as he moves them to be sure they are holding the correct direction. He then moves them into the next pasture. He waits for me to catch up so I can close the gate.
Shane drops back a little as I approach the gate. While I undo the latch, Shane sees to it that the sheep don’t get close to me. I open the gate wide and Shane moves to the rear and drives the sheep through the gate.
The rams now need to be let out to their grazing area. We enter their nighttime pen and Shane drives them to the gate. This takes some finesse during breeding season because the rams are high-strung. The adult ram sometimes makes a surprise move and veers directly toward me. Whether he is coming at me in a friendly way (doubtful) or in a challenging manner (probably), his advances are unwelcome. Shane checks my position and theirs as he moves them to be sure they are holding the correct direction. He then moves them into the next pasture. He waits for me to catch up so I can close the gate.
Poultry
I feed the chickens and Shane keeps Mr. Meany in his place.
We now must move the ducks from the barn to their daytime area. He always stands beside the door and waits for them to exit on their own. He peers in to see if what they are doing. If he thinks they need a little incentive, he goes in and drives them out. He wears behind them until he maneuvers them through the gate to the large winter pen.
We reverse the process at the end of the day when all animals are returned to predator-safe places to spend the night.
We now must move the ducks from the barn to their daytime area. He always stands beside the door and waits for them to exit on their own. He peers in to see if what they are doing. If he thinks they need a little incentive, he goes in and drives them out. He wears behind them until he maneuvers them through the gate to the large winter pen.
We reverse the process at the end of the day when all animals are returned to predator-safe places to spend the night.
Feeding
I hate being pressed on all sides by large, hungry animals. It makes it
impossible to pour feed into their tubs. Shane accompanies me from feed tub to
feed tub and keeps the hungry critters back. Winter feeding consists of
dragging a sled full of hay onto clean snow. Without the dog, the sheep quickly
mob the sled and stop all forward progress. During breeding season the ram is
in the flock and can dangerous. All this is happening on snow and ice where
footing is tenuous. If the animals are outside the pen, Shane puts them in and
holds them while I distribute the hay. If the sheep are in the enclosure, Shane
keeps them back off the gate, so I can safely open it and step out of the way.
Sometimes animals are shut in the barn and are not allowed out. Without a dog, I have to keep opening and closing the door each time I make a trip in and out with feed and water. I can position Shane near the open door. When a curious animal attempts to come out, I shoo it in. That gives Shane the cue that they are not to come out. He will keep them in while I walk in and out delivering food and water.
Sometimes animals are shut in the barn and are not allowed out. Without a dog, I have to keep opening and closing the door each time I make a trip in and out with feed and water. I can position Shane near the open door. When a curious animal attempts to come out, I shoo it in. That gives Shane the cue that they are not to come out. He will keep them in while I walk in and out delivering food and water.
Tending
Sometimes I allow the sheep to graze in the backyard. I don’t want them
to “trim” the lilacs or mock orange bushes. They are also not allowed on the
verandah. I shoo them away from those places and Shane takes over after that.
There are times when chickens are allowed access to the backyard. The porch is off limits for poultry and the mess they leave behind.
Annie and Tucker will do all of these jobs, too. Annie does not see the rams as threats so she is not my choice when I have to deal with them. Annie is a superb tending dog.
There are times when chickens are allowed access to the backyard. The porch is off limits for poultry and the mess they leave behind.
Annie and Tucker will do all of these jobs, too. Annie does not see the rams as threats so she is not my choice when I have to deal with them. Annie is a superb tending dog.
Shane putting the sheep in the barn and holding them there
