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The article “Sold On Shepherds,” goes a long way towards telling us what John and Pauline Blankenship had in mind when selecting and breeding their black and tan English Shepherds.  They had been breeding ESBT for more than nine years when Murphey’s article was published, and they would continue to do so into the 1970s. 

Two of the eight dogs on the Blankenship farm were cherished pets, belonging to the Blankenship children.  One of these companion animals was trained to pull the children around the farm in a cart.  This fact highlights the breed's dual nature as both working dogs and loving family companions. This ability to seamlessly integrate into family life while still excelling in their working roles is a testament to the careful breeding and training practices likely employed by the Blankenships. Such anecdotes are invaluable in understanding the temperament and capabilities of the breed. They not only provide practical insights into the breed's behavior and training potential but also offer a glimpse into the heartwarming interactions between these dogs and their human families.

Mrs. Blankenship is quoted as saying, “Working stock comes naturally to English shepherds.”  She goes on to say that a puppy’s training as a stock dog should begin at about three or four months old.  By the time he’s one year old, he should be working stock like a veteran.  Mr. Blankenship agrees, “If they won’t do it by then, they never will.”

Mrs. Blankenship's observation about the natural inclination of English Shepherds towards working with stock aligns with the breed's known characteristics. English Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence, agility, and instinctive herding abilities. Starting training at a young age, around three to four months, capitalizes on these innate traits, setting a solid foundation for their future as working dogs. Her expectation that a puppy should be working stock like a veteran by the age of one year underscores the breed's quick learning capability and the effectiveness of early, consistent training. This rapid development from a young puppy to a proficient working dog within a year is a testament to the breed's intelligence and adaptability. Mr. Blankenship's comment adds a practical perspective to breeding and training English Shepherds. It suggests a pragmatic approach to evaluating the dogs' abilities and potential as working animals. His belief that if a dog doesn't exhibit its working capabilities by one year, it likely never will, reflects a deep understanding of the breed's traits and sets a clear benchmark for assessing the dogs' aptitude for herding and farm work. These insights from the Blankenships provide valuable guidance for breeders and owners, emphasizing the importance of early training and the ability to recognize a dog's inherent capabilities. This approach ensures that each dog's potential is maximized, whether as a working animal on a farm or as a companion.

The article goes on to state that properly trained black and tan English shepherds will herd cattle from pasture to barn, bring in sheep, catch and hold hogs, and load livestock into chutes.  Their ability to perform a wide range of herding tasks demonstrates the breed's intelligence, obedience, and adaptability. Each task mentioned requires not only physical ability but also a high level of understanding and cooperation with human handlers. Herding cattle from pasture to barn and bringing in sheep are classic herding tasks, showcasing the breed's ability to guide and control larger groups of animals in an organized manner. This requires not only physical agility and stamina but also a keen sense of intuition and responsiveness to the herder's commands. Catching and holding hogs is a particularly challenging task, as hogs can be unpredictable and difficult to manage. The fact that black and tan English Shepherds are trained for this task speaks to their courage and tenacity, as well as their capacity to adapt to different types of livestock and herding situations. Loading livestock into chutes is another critical task, especially in farm operations where transporting animals is routine. This activity requires patience, precision, and a gentle but assertive approach to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals being handled. These abilities highlight the English Shepherd's role as an indispensable asset on a farm, capable of handling a variety of complex herding tasks. Such skills are the result of careful breeding and training, emphasizing the importance of the Blankenship's breeding standards and practices in preserving and enhancing these qualities in their bloodline.

Finally, the article closes by mentioning how the Blankenship dogs excel at varmint control.  They will eradicate opossums, raccoons, groundhogs, skunks, rats, and other small animals that can be considered a nuisance in a farming environment.  This aspect of their skill set underscores the English Shepherd's role as a natural protector and guardian of the farm. Their instincts and training enable them to identify and address potential threats from various small animals that can harm crops, livestock, or property. This ability is crucial in maintaining the balance and safety of a farm ecosystem. Moreover, the fact that these dogs excel in varmint control without specific training for each type of animal reflects their intelligence and adaptability. They are able to assess situations, understand the behavior of different pests, and take appropriate action, which is a testament to their innate abilities as working dogs.

The Blankenship dogs' proficiency in herding, livestock management, and varmint control paints a picture of an all-around farm dog, capable of adapting to a wide range of tasks and environments. Their skills go beyond simple obedience or agility; they are deeply ingrained traits honed through generations of selective breeding and careful training. These dogs are not just pets or working animals; they are integral parts of the farm's daily operations and contribute significantly to its overall success and efficiency.