1st Annual OTFS Picnic
It has been 17 years since the birth of Dunrovin’s Ole Shep and Richard McDuffie began calling them “Old Time Farm Shepherds”. Since then his progeny and those of his littermates has spread far and wide, they can be found from the hunting dogs in the South to herding dogs of New England and service dogs on the west coast.
Some of us who are privileged to own these dogs will be getting together next Memorial Day Weekend to make new friends and swap stories about our dogs, anyone who owns or is interested in owning an Old Time Farm Shepherd (or a descendant thereof) is welcome to join us. The picnic will be at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, Tennessee just 30 minutes or so from the Allison Farm where McDuffie found Ole Shep and his littermates in 1994.
- Where: Cedars of Lebanon State Park, Shelter #1, Lebanon Tennessee (a short drive south of I-40)
- When: Sunday, May 29, 2011, noon to whenever
- What: Bring your dog(s) and of course some food
- Facilities: There is a large campground and cabins available at the park and the city of Lebanon, TN is only 10 minutes away where you can find lodging, restaurants and shopping.
No RSVP or invitation required, just show up if you can. If you have any questions feel free to contact us. We will be updating this webpage as we approach the date and as things develop so check back.
I remember these dogs from my youth. My Gr. Parents had one simply named “Bob” that was used and abused by us kids. He was quite a large specimen (probably a cross of St. Bernard) and once held the Sherriff and his two carloads of “possee” captive in their own cars in the drive.:)) Other friends (mostly farmers) had more normal sized Collies that were indispensable around the homeplace and respected by all they met. A tenant on our farm came home drunk and staggering late one night and his Collie tore most of his clothes off at the garden gate ( either his wife set the dog on him or the dog didn’t recognize him drunk!) I’d wondered what had become of this type Collie more than once in the past 60 yrs. SO glad they are being “rescued” from extinction. Thanks for your efforts. I’d like to make the picnic at Cedars of Lebanon; about 1 1/2 hrs drive from East TN.
Thanks for sharing your recollections Raymond. I hope to see you at the picnic.
We have dexter cattle and two grandchildren who show cattle and boer goats!!
I was raised on a ranch and had a shepherd dog and would like for my two grandchildren to have the same good experiences that I had while growing up!!We have been looking for this Collie for quite some time and I had been wondering why I could not find one anywhere, until I read the article in Countryside!! Yes I am very familiar with this breed of animal…however my grandchildren have only had the stories repeated to them or had read about them..Yes please keep us posted..AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WEBSITE!!!!
Hello! I have been searching for these dogs and getting frustrated until I stumbled on your website. My grandparents always had these dogs on the farm, as did my great grandmother who recently passed away at 107! My grandfather actually was a dog trainer for the military in WWII, and his first “charge” was an old scotch collie mix- they bred for personality and capabilities rather than the fancy pedigrees back then. Then they made him a pilot and sent him to Germany. I actually have an old photo of him in uniform with his dog. He came back from the war and started a family and a farm and always had these dogs- he taught me how to train them with mental authority, making yourselof the “Alpha” in a way they understand- and these particular dogs are very loyal and obedient, very easy to train and the BEST on a farm with animals and kids. Old Sue in the 70’s really took to me – she was black, brown and white, and a little speckled on her hindquarters- a great dog, she protected me from snakes, my grandpa’s bull, a mean turkey, and people that had bad intentions (she just seemed to know). I had a cousin who was slightly retarded and would just get weird out of nowhere all of the sudden, and she would bark and bite at him as soon as he started, then he would calm right down, the strangest thing. Anyway, my husband and I decided after his retirement from the Army we would settle down and start a hobby farm, live out the rest of our lives there. After 20+ years and many deployments, we are facing our last duty station, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and are in the process of searching for the right place and acres as we speak. Hubby will promote to Col. soon, and 3 years more at Campbell then we are done!
I wish I could attend the get together at Cedars of Lebanon, it is one of my favorite campgrounds- so beautiful. unfortunately, we will not be there until June. We are stationed on the east coast right now. However, I am wanting to request my email address be given to someone who breeds the true old time farm collie/shepard and can judge a good personality (not looks) for us. I don’t care about colors/markings just want a good farm and family dog- intend on chickens, cows, possibly a goat, I am a gardener and we are an outdoors family and have a 14 y.o. boy and 2 girls ages 10 and 8.
I would be willing to nurture a few litters in our home a couple years after we are settled in to keep the breed alive- would want to start with a female, then add a male later. Meeting us, getting to know us, references, etc. are no problem at all. We are a christian family and very responsible. Just looking for the right dog to help manage our farm–and kids wandering around on it like I did when I was a girl!!—- God Bless and Thank you!! Joan mrs_kit_martin@yahoo.com