Six week Steady/Star Pupdate

The pups are growing by leaps and bounds. Play is becoming fierce and fast. Tug of war, ambushing, stalking, and outsmarting make up the daily play-time fun.

Each pup's temperament is really starting to shine, and each trait that comes to the forefront gives insight into the best placement for each pup.

It is worth noting that all pups will have some degree of working ability, as they are a herding breed, selected for over a century for working traits. The "stand-out" pups have the most bold personalities and exhibit the least amount of shy behavior, but the "active companion" pups who I place with the most attention to family dynamics and the amount of exercise and mental stimulation they will receive. Farm pups will have plenty of learning experience that fits their farm collie nature.

Males first, then females, with a short description of each.

Beacon, a fun, playful pup. He still sits back and watches before engaging. He snuggles well with any visitor who scoops him up. He has a broader head (like Cole), larger frame, and seems to be black rather than seal. Beacon could be suited to an active companion home which understands the exercise needed for a herding breed.

Sable, a nice playful pup, who probably needs someone who understands his need to bond and be close to his person. Sable can be independent, but misses people when we are not outside with the litter. He has a gray tinge to his shaded sable puppy-coat, and will probably retain the black mask feature. He is sweet, sociable, and in tune with what the people are doing. He will also have plenty of energy to expend on a daily basis.

Sparky, very similar to Beacon's personality, perhaps with a bit more "spunk" and bolder interaction. Sparky also sits back, watches, and then engages. He is possibly seal rather than black, and might have the black mask inherited from his sire. Sparky could be suited to an active family who has experience with English Shepherds.

Gage, shaded sable male, and the one that I hope will find his home on a working farm, in a possible breeding placement. He is fun, outgoing, is the one his mama is most likely to reprimand, and literally sinks into whoever is holding him with puppy kisses and eager tail wags. He is going to be an exceptional English Shepherd, and is one who seems to need an experienced ES owner, or someone very in tune with channeling this confident pup's energy into a clear-cut job.

Cole, probably seal rather than black, with very minimal white. Cole is an independent thinker. He will park himself on the back step and watch, or will trundle along and be the one I look for after all the others scamper in for kibble... He comes across as serious but is very affectionate when he is scooped up for petting.

Cole is very sweet, friendly with visitors, and soft when he comes up for chin scratches. He thinks outside of the pack mentality, and really stands out as a good farm candidate who will bond with his person.

And the girls! What a nice mix of temperaments!

Gale, the boldest. I intend to place this one on a working farm, possibly with a breeding agreement. She embodies what we expect in an English Shepherd female. She explores and leads the pack, is always watching to see what the people are doing and how to join in, and does not shrink back from anything new.

Vesper, very sweet and sensitive, and very in tune with stressful things which can shut her down. She softly comes up to new people to offer a paw or curl up next to their shoes. When Star had to growl Gage away for being cheeky, Vesper found a quiet corner and nap until it was over. She is happy to tussle with her siblings, quick to interact with people, and very happy to settle in someone's lap or by their chair. Her shaded sable coat is changing almost daily. It will be fun to see what her adult coat decides to be.

Promise is one who asks nicely for attention, does not demand it, and is eager to interact. She will hold her own in the pack, has energy that seems surprising after how softly she interacts with people, and is very good with the direct eye contact. She has offered a lot of very willing interaction in the past week.

Tara, the firstborn, holds her own in the litter and also seems to think independently. Her shaded sable coat colors are changing, and her blaze is filling in as puppy shading grows in. She has a sense of fun, takes on whatever challenge the others will send her way, and also thinks before following the pack. Tara has the exceptional bright eye contact that caused us to keep her mama Star. I can imagine Tara as an active companion, as easily as I see her potential for being a great farm dog.

Lyra, sassy and sweet, and although she was the tiniest, she is catching up and proving herself. She is able to quickly win over any visitor, and also able to hold her own against the largest pups in the litter. I had to laugh when she pinned Gage and he chose not to look her in the eye... She will do well on a farm as a companion and fellow worker, or in a very active companion home. I think she is beautiful, with her bright eyes (eye contact courtesy of Star) and dark petite features. Star was like this, as a pup.

Midnight, very much like Promise. She and Promise are 2 of the females who I almost always need to check collar color to tell them apart. Midnight would be very able to do farm work, and also very able to be an active companion. She will have energy and drive, but also is quite happy to be with people and interact. She and Lyra are the darkest females in the litter.

All spots are full, but that does not mean that specific placements have been determined. The Volhard test and other considerations will all wrap up the placement process within the next week. We do have 8 confirmed spots with deposits, 2 "pick of litter" spots (which usually go to working farms with breeding interest), and 1 remaining male spot which will be filled from our wait list.

Volhard aptitude testing is scheduled for Sunday September 27, and placements will be determined after that time.

For those with deposits and confirmed spots, I will make phone calls on September 27/28 in the order that I've noted in our e-mails, to allow each family to decide which pup is best suited to their needs. For those on our wait-list (who have submitted an application), I wish that we had a second litter to fill all of these wonderful spots. I will be in touch on September 29/30 with info on available pup(s) or with ideas of future litters here or with other breeders. (I'm very sorry, but if you do not have an application with us and have not been on our wait list, I cannot make recommendations.)

I am grateful for such an outpouring of interest. Thank you!