My 4 ES are happy on our 2 acre hobby farm. We do chores together, they sleep on the floor inside while I am on the computer or doing other jobs, we go back outside together, they get to play at moving the sheep (they actually CAN move them, but the sheep come for feed so it's not necessary). The dogs know when something is out of place. They take great joy in moving escapee piglets back to the pen with mama. They chase stray cats away, hunt mice and rats and chipmunks, watch over the meat chickens if they wander out of the designated area. Do I have enough work for 4 ES on 2 acres? No. But all are happy and well adjusted, and able to do the work when I ask them to. Remy is an expert at chasing crows and eagles out of our airspace. He can also gently move a pregnant sow into the barn for farrowing. Taffy is great at rodent control and at greeting people who come to visit. She has also climbed trees to check for the possum who was there once, 7 years ago. Star had her litter of puppies and came outside to notice that her daughter was riling up the sheep rather than moving them. With newborn puppies in the house, Star bustled in and moved the sheep to where I wanted them. And Trixie is learning the ropes and finding where she fits in also. They are happy being with us. They are happy doing any work there is to do. We perimeter-check several times a day, even if it's only to walk the fenceline. But when coyotes are outside at night, the dogs will literally explode out the back door and sound like a galloping herd of horses, in their desire to warn the coyotes not to breach our little property." I would add... Each dog finds where they belong and where they matter. The farm would just not be the same without the presence of these beautiful English Shepherds.