​

Our family is located on a homestead in beautiful, central Wisconsin. We currently have three English Shepherds that supplement our country life, and breeding them is a very special hobby for me.

   

Joanna is my name, and I grew up running around carefree on our 13-acre homestead with my older siblings and our cats and dogs. I was taught to work hard, live simply, enjoy animals and nature, and to love God. I thrive on this lifestyle and our English Shepherds do too.

We had numerous family dogs while my siblings and I were growing up. My earliest memories include a devoted, affectionate rough collie named Winnie. After her came a people loving but chicken-killing Black Lab x German Shepherd named Oliver, and then a wired, intense Border Collie x Aussie named Dixie. After having to rehome her due to aggression issues, my next-older brother and I started the search for the right breed. We happened upon a Craigslist post about English Shepherd puppies, and though we had never heard of the breed, our family was intrigued. In 2018 we brought home our Sukey from Town and Country ES with the intention of possibly breeding down the road. 

Shep's Heritage English Shepherds was born!

One year later, we found Sirius, bred by Niesen family in Illinois, and in 2020 he sired our first litter of English Shepherd puppies.

My ES breeding journey has been a learning curve for me. I am so grateful for the many resources and people who have saved me from having to learn everything the hard way, although I admit there has been a lot of that too! I love watching the miracle of birth. I love playing with and raising our fun-loving puppies. I love observing their individual personalities. And best of all, I love seeing them thrive in their new homes and hearing that they bring joy to their families.

​

Breeding Goals

​

Socializing the puppies is a high priority for us. 

 

Here are some examples of how we try to socialize:

 

• Show attention to each puppy every day by gently rubbing and holding them for short periods for the first    couple weeks, and gradually increasing the attention as the puppies grow

• Lights flickering on/off when their eyes open

• Talk to them and introducing new sounds as their ears open

• Give them confidence in humans by cradling them on their backs

• Introduce the cats, kittens, chickens, and cattle, as they start moving around easily

• Give brief baths

• Introduce a collar, walking on a leash, new surfaces and heights, as they reach 6-7 weeks 

​

And the rest of the socializing is up to the new owners!

​

Your puppy will come with its registration papers, some of the puppy food it has been eating, and a small collar that we will have used for it. You can then slowly transition the pup to the food of your choice. We often send along a small toy that the puppies have been playing with, so that the pup has the scent of something familiar when it leaves for its new home.

​

Both of our dogs are registered with UKC and ESCR. We register all of the puppies with ESCR and the registration certificate will be sent to the new owners within a couple months of purchasing the puppy. We also send the UKC papers along for the new owners to complete if they wish.

​

We have chosen not to vaccinate ourselves, and neither do we vaccinate our dogs and puppies.

 

Our dogs are tested for all testable genetic diseases.

​

We feed our dogs grain-free kibble to prevent hip dysplasia. We also feed broth, beef bones, some chicken, and other meat deals we find at our local grocery stores.

​

If you are interested in a puppy, we will inquire about the personality you are looking for in your puppy, and if you plan to breed. We will evaluate each puppy and determine which one is the best for your specific needs.

​

Thanks for your interest! Contact us with any additional questions.