This page lists the dogs currently available for adoption in our program. All dogs are in private foster homes, that have been screened and approved by the rescue. We currently foster dogs in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, West Virginia and Maryland. All OESR available dogs have been evaluated and vetted before being made available on this page. Dogs are given needed vaccines, are spayed or neutered, wormed for parasites, heartworm tested and on preventative. Any known behavioral or medical issues are attended to and fully disclosed to the adopter prior to adoption. More detailed information about any dog (including foster location and foster contact information) can be obtained by applicants after proper screening has occurred; this is for the safety of our dogs and in respect to the privacy of their foster caregivers. Please note we ask for a $10 donation to process your application. This fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee you will be approved to adopt.

This fee goes directly to animal care, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit breed rescue and are volunteer run. We care deeply about the dogs we have in our program and are committed to providing dogs wonderful forever homes. We do not guarantee adoption to anyone. Many of our dogs have been abandoned or thrown away in shelters, we want them to have positive futures where they can blossom, thrive and be the happy dogs they were always meant to be. This is why we screen potential adopters so rigorously. Riley - Local Adoption Only Learn more about Riley - Local Adoption Only. Learn more about Freckles. Learn more about Shadow. Learn more about Joy. Learn more about Ace. Learn more about Charlie.Looking for a new farmhand? Try man’s best friend. With over 10,000 years of agriculture experience, many canine companions are naturally hardwired for working with livestock. Before you buy, consider three things: First, do you need a herding dog or a livestock guardian dog?

The difference is in how each type of dog views livestock. Herding dogs see a flock of sheep as prey (though they won’t attack them), and will bunch and guide them. Guardian dogs, usually raised with livestock from a young age, will view them as part of their pack and therefore protect them at all costs. Most dogs excel at just one task or the other. Herding dogs can stay near the family, while guardian dogs generally stay in the fields — though no working dog is meant to be kept in the home full-time.Campers For Sale Naples Fl Second, avoid the common mistake of trying to use a dog bred only for show or a pet as a working dog — show dogs have been bred for good looks but often lack the instincts and physique for farm life. Hud Homes For Sale Clinton MsBuy puppies with working-dog parents, or, failing that, make sure the breeder has successfully placed their dogs in working homes in the past.Weight Loss Clinic Morgantown Wv

Finally, be prepared to train them. “Old Scotsmen say a dog will need a year for every leg they have,” says Jeanne Joy Hartnagle, author of the livestock guidebook “Stockdog Savvy.” “The inborn instincts are in them,” says the author of “Livestock Guardians,” Jan Dohner, “but they need your training and positive reinforcement.” Dogs raised around veteran farm dogs will also benefit from seeing experienced dogs in action. To aficionados, herding dogs begin and end with highly intelligent and agile border collies. “There is no other herding dog,” says Craig Rogers, shepherd of Border Springs Farm in Virginia. “They’re exceptionally obedient, grounded and the most rational dogs on the planet.” Their work ethic is so strong that owners need to be careful the dogs do not overwork themselves. “They would rather work than breathe,” says Rogers. Natural heelers (i.e., they guide animals by using a nip or grip), these tough and hardworking dogs are great for cattle, of course, but can also herd sheep and goats (provided they’re taught not to bite).

Gwen Shepperson uses them on her ranch in central Wyoming for four-day cattle drives. “We could not get our work done without them,” she says. “They don’t break down physically or mentally. After a long day, they just wanna know what we’re doing the next day.” These small dogs excel at heeling cattle — any bovine kicks are likely to sail right over their heads. Their diminutive stature means they aren’t ideal for long-distance roundups — but they can handle work on a small farm with ease. Known in the U.S. for their work with police and security forces, German shepherds are more popular on farms in Germany and throughout Europe. They make excellent herd dogs, especially for keeping livestock away from crops or roads. “Set them on a boundary, and they have the instincts to stay on that boundary with minimal training,” says Hartnagle. The breed’s show-dog version has been bred to have its hind legs extend out — look instead for working dogs that keep their feet under them.

Thanks to interest from show breeders, it can be difficult to find one that can still herd. Hartnagle recommends looking for herding dogs with a shorter coat. “That long coat,” she says, “is not going to be utilitarian.” While this dog may do well on a hobby farm, if you have a large herd, look elsewhere. Among the earliest livestock guardian dogs brought to the United States, the Anatolian is large, sturdy and reliable. Their generally shorter coats make them easy to care for, and they’re happy staying out with their livestock. Be careful to use trusted breeders — the Anatolian is unfortunately popular for dog fighting in certain countries, leading to some overly aggressive lines. The Komondor (also known as a “mop dog”) is a Hungarian livestock guardian dog known for being extremely territorial and protective — keep any strangers away. But don’t fall in love with the coat; for cleanliness, you’ll likely need to cut a working dog’s long cords (formed by natural wax in the dog’s hair) or invest much time in thorough grooming.

Working lines are rare in the U.S., so be prepared for a long search. This popular Italian breed is renowned for being loyal to its livestock. Smaller than many other livestock guardian dogs, it’s very successful at fending off predators. “They love attention and children,” says Kim Snyder, who keeps working Maremmas in Oregon, “but they’re very serious about their job.” Introduced to livestock at a young age, Maremmas remain highly dedicated to their charges. “They’ll jump up in the middle of a good belly rub to run after anything getting too close to the stock,” says Snyder. A status symbol in China — one recently went for almost $2 million there — and somewhat rare, the Tibetan mastiff is an effective family-and-farm guardian. Judy Steffel of Barking Dog Goat Farm in Michigan, a Tibetan mastiff owner, says her dogs can be “frighteningly intelligent.” One of them alerted her after a mother goat had kidded. “He had driven away every other dog and all the goats,” she says.