Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Association

A Tennessee non-profit public benefit corporation

Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Association

To find a Black and Tan English Shepherd Puppy

Visit the Black and Tan English Shepherd Breeder Collaborative

History

The UKC began accepting registrations for English Shepherds in 1927.

O.O. Grant, in Willow Springs, Missouri, with a breeding program founded on a black and tan stud dog named Old Mike, was notably among the first breeders to register their English Shepherds with the UKC (Grant, “SEMYKENNEL Advertisement”; Woodring).

The English Shepherd Club of America was founded in 1950, by Tom D. Stodghill, with Frederick Preston Search, Professor Joseph Fox, and Major J. Ursery on a foundation of black and tan farm dogs, some of which came from rural counties in middle Tennessee (“Some Farm Dogs Said True English Shepherds”; Stodghill, “All Fifty States”). Through published correspondence, we know that Stodghill also incorporated at least one dog from Grant’s Semykennel line into his breeding program (Grant, “English Shepherd News July-August 1959”). The English Shepherd Club of America Standard was published by Stodghill in the April 1954 Standards Issue of Dog World Magazine. Eventually, Stodghill, his colleagues, and prolific breeders John and Pauline Blankenship of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, would ship English Shepherds across the continent (Stodghill, “All Fifty States”; Blankenship). At the mid-point of the twentieth century, black and tan English Shepherds were participating in herding trials on Stodghill’s Texas Ranch and those of Walter Oglivie and the Blankenships were entertaining rodeo spectators in Franklin, Tennessee (Oglivie), while working English Shepherds were managing livestock and performing other chores on farms across the United States.

Through letters to the editor, article submissions, professional journalism, and amateur self-publication, many articles about English shepherd dogs were published in the United States in the mid twentieth century (c. 1938 – 1971). The common threads woven through the tapestry of these articles provide us with insights into the historical, cultural, and practical significance of these dogs, illustrating the enduring impact of English Shepherds on American rural life. The authors of these articles placed emphasis on the efforts to maintain the distinct characteristics of the English Shepherd. Through dedicated breeding and registry practices, there was a clear commitment to keeping the dogs’ unique qualities intact for future generations.

References & Further Reading

  1. Bend, Cynthia. “First Trial Dog.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, pp. 35–36.
  2. Blankenship, John. “The Blankenships’ Best Friend.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950.
  3. Curtis, Horace. “A Match for Man or Beast.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, p. 22.
  4. Emanuel, E. G. “The Latch String Is Out.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, p. 37.
  5. Filer, Lea. “No Other Breed Will Do.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, p. 33.
  6. Grant, O. O. “English Shepherd News July-August 1959.” UKC Bloodlines, Aug. 1959.
  7. ---. “SEMYKENNEL Advertisement.” UKC Bloodlines, Dec. 1945.
  8. ---. “Strike Heelers.” UKC Bloodlines, Nov. 1938.
  9. ---. “Training Your English Shepherd.” UKC Bloodlines, June 1943.
  10. Heselton, Lee. “Our English Shepherds.” UKC Bloodlines, Feb. 1959.
  11. Lewis, Karen. “Animal Research Foundation Clock-Wise Breeding.” Animal Research Magazine, Summer-Fall 1973.
  12. Murphey, Josephine. “Sold on Shepherds.” The Nashville Tennessean Magazine, 23 May 1953.
  13. Oglivie, Walter. “Pete The Mountain Dog.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, pp. 25–27.
  14. “Some Farm Dogs Said True English Shepherds.” The Rutherford Courier, 23 Jan. 1953.
  15. Stodghill, Tom D. “A Shining Future.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, p. 6.
  16. ---. “All Fifty States.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, p. 15.
  17. ---. “Breeding a Registered Female.” Animal Research Magazine, Fall 1966.
  18. ---. “History of the English Shepherd Dog.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, pp. 7–12.
  19. ---. “Raising a Black and Tan English Shepherd to Keep Wolves off Sheep and Goats.” Training Cowdogs The Right Way, c 1950.
  20. ---. “The Truth About the Registries.” Animal Research Magazine, Spring-Summer 1971.
  21. ---. “The White Ring Neck Shepherd.” Animal Research Magazine, Fall 1966.
  22. Ursery, Major Jesse. “Goat Dogs.” English Shepherd Club of America Who’s Who Breeder Manual, c 1950, pp. 29–30.
  23. Woodring, Dr. F. H. “Old Time English Shepherd.” UKC Bloodlines, June 1961.

Typical Characteristics of Black and Tan English Shepherds

Here’s a general overview of where Black and Tan English Shepherds typically fall on the territorial/reactive/aggressive spectrum.

Territorial Behavior: These dogs are often naturally protective and may exhibit territorial behaviors, especially when it comes to their home and family. This trait makes them excellent watchdogs. However, they typically don’t extend this behavior to unwarranted aggression towards visitors or strangers, especially if they have been properly socialized.

Reaction to Strangers: Black and Tan English Shepherds are generally amiable towards strangers. While they may initially be alert or cautious, they usually warm up quickly once they assess that there’s no threat. This is reflective of their balanced temperament, where they are neither overly aggressive nor excessively timid.

Response to Noises and Sudden Movements: These dogs are often quite steady and not prone to overreacting to unexpected stimuli. Their history as working dogs means they’re typically used to various sounds and movements in a farm setting, which contributes to their overall bombproof nature.

Interactions with Other Dogs: Black and Tan English Shepherds are generally sociable with other dogs, especially if they’ve been well-socialized from a young age. As with any bloodline, individual dogs may have their own quirks, and some might display same-sex aggression or reactiveness, but these are not traits generally characteristic of the bloodline.

Aggression: Aggressive behavior towards people is not typical in well-bred Black and Tan English Shepherds. They are known for their loyalty and affection towards their family, including children. Training and socialization play a critical role in shaping these behaviors.

Ideally, your personal experiences with Black and Tan English Shepherds will align well with the general temperament traits of the bloodline. But it’s important to remember that while bloodline tendencies are a good guideline, individual personality, training, socialization, and environment also play significant roles in shaping a dog’s behavior.

The Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd Association is a Tennessee non-profit public benefit corporation. We operate solely for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We work to preserve the unique qualities, integrity, and longevity of the bloodline.