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Almost 10 years ago, while working on a dairy in Virginia, I impulsively decided to ride with a friend to a farm in West VA and purchase a Black and Tan English Shepherd puppy. I never even looked into the breed and had no idea what I was getting in to. All of these years later, on our own dairy farm in GA, I am never alone as I go about my farm work. My ESs are right there with me.

On our farm, I don’t need a lot of help herding on a daily basis (but don’t tell them that!). My small herd of dairy cows are incredibly easy to manage and they know the drill. However, I do rely heavily on my dogs’ discernment. They are always there, always watching, and always ready to help me. Sometimes this is help herding, but many times it’s not. My male knows when the bull is going to act up before he does and will position himself between the bull and me. I call my female in to gently encourage a down cow to get up. They comfort my sick animals until I can tend to them. They find the new calf hidden in the tall grass. I never worry about leaving them unattended with my chickens. They won’t chase them… but they do enforce the rule that chickens are not allowed on the porch.

I value their intelligence, discernment, and eagerness to do what I need… to be my right hand. Even if that’s just to escort me to the barn at night to turn off the lights

(Photo: Poppy comforting a heifer calf with pneumonia)