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"The King of the Cattle Dogs", the Gold Nugget Strain of Black and Tan English Shepherds, is associated in the minds of Tennesseans with progressive farming. Both are fast becoming associated with the name of John Blankenship. To us, the history of these superior dogs parallels the history of our families, and it is the history of our best friend.

Trotting beside my father, Charles B. Blankenship, as he rode to town on the old gray mare in Wilson County, Tennessee, some seventy years ago, the Black and Tan family pet was on hand to drive home cattle, sheep or other livestock purchased. When father went to the field to work, the faithful dog was there beside him, his "right hand man."

Mother, too, recalls mention of the Shepherd dogs that her father and her grandfather used to help in rounding up the stock. My Wife's people migrated to Cannon County, Tennessee, from Virginia and North Carolina. Both of her parents, Altte Simmons Wilson and Aubrey H. Wilson, (childhood sweethearts) were raised on the farmlands near Woodbury, Tennesssee. Her father's helper in capturing the wild hogs that roamed the woods was "Jack", a sturdy Shepherd. After service in World War I and further schooling at Tennessee State Normal, Mr. Wilson taught school for several years and later became a merchant.

It would follow naturally that when my wife and I set up housekeeping on Dad’s farm in '41, we would include some of these dogs on the list of necessary stock. Hard work paid off during the years that ensued. And we saw real progress both in farming and in dog breeding. In '46, we added our first registered English Shepherd - "Stodghill’s Mary Ann", whom we nicknamed "Tex" because of her Texas origin.

"Tex" felt it her mission in life to serve as companion and guardian to our two children. Henry and Mary Ann never needed to fear a sow, a horse, or even a registered Jersey bull - old “Tex” kept them all away. We needed a working dog, too, and the next year we bought a pair of Black and Tan pups to help herd the dairy and beef cattle, the sheep and hogs. The male was christened "Captain Ned", in memory of the Ned my father once owned. Like his ancestor in color and type, the new Ned began in our hearts where the other left off.

Thus, began our career in English Shepherd breeding. Today ten choice dams and three stud dogs supply the fast-growing demand for these puppies. Last year alone more than 100 puppies were sold. They have gone out to become farmers’ assistants, children’s guardians, seeing-eye guides for the blind, affectionate relaxation for a busy doctor in a hospital, and even serves as mascot for the Murfreesboro Fire Department!

"Captain Ned" and his little mate began to show their colors when they were still pups five and four months old, respectively. A Jersey bull had rough-housed in his shed until it was nearly demolished; then prevented its repair by his antics. The pups were summoned, and soon had the situation well in hand: the offender was headed into the pond and kept there by them until it was time for him to emerge.

High on our list of proven matrons of working stock dogs is "Old Shep", a low-heeling expert with cows and hogs. One night when a stray dog got into the flock of sheep in the barn lot, "Old Shep" waded in after him and brought him out, preventing the possible slaughter of some lambs.

Another good worker is "Duchess of Windsor", a perfect-marked Black and Tan matron sired by Falla. The ancestry of his mother, "Queen", can be traced back 100 years through a line of purebreds in Tennessee. When Duchess was about grown it became her well-performed duty to keep rats away from the baby chicks in the brooder-house. "Lassie", another select dam, excels in keeping the farm rid of skunks, o'possums and other rodents.

Mechanical farming has replaced the horse and mule age. With the shortage of farm labor, the Shepherd dog is taking the place of farm hands in bringing up the cows, loading stock from a chute, and herding the sheep. He is also your companion and night watchman. Small wonder he is called "The world’s best all-purpose dog."

Today our Gold Nugget Strain of Black and Tan English Shepherd is classed "tops". My high corn yield of 167.7 bushels per acre proves man’s knowledge and ability to work brings forth fruit in due season. Equaling my farm goal of 200 bushels of corn per acre this year, is the goal of an unrelated dog to any member of the English Shepherd Club of America.

Enjoyment in this work comes not only from the lovable qualities of the dog, but also from the pleasant contacts made as we engage in buying and selling the dogs. As the fuzzy little pets have gone to twenty-two states this year, happy letters of appreciation from their new owners have become cherished mementos. We've found dog lovers are universal, and it's been our privilege to meet them and to know many of them as friends as we pursue our enjoyable hobby.