English Shepherd Gathering: June 2011

We will be holding an English shepherd Gathering at Brandywine Farm and the adjacent township park on June 11-12, 2011.

You don't have to own an English shepherd to attend; fans and interested parties are always welcome. And your dog doesn't have to be an ES to attend -- all well-mannered dogs are invited.

Guide to local eats, entertainment, and services 

(Five-page PDF to print out, includes emergency vet, grocery, dog food, restaurants, etc.) 

Schedule of events and R&R

When we are doing what, and some rules and guidelines

Map.  Or enter 100 Community Center Drive, Harmony PA 16037 (address of the community center)


View Brandywine Farm in a larger map


Events will include:

Potluck and barbeque
Silent auction to benefit NESR
Canine Good Citizen testing
Possible stockwork clinic
Canine freestyle clinic
Presentations on breed history and conservation
Search and rescue demonstration
Stupid ES tricks contest
Movie night in the barn (We were going to hold a drunken barn dance, but the floor is a little uneven)
Agility opportunities

And plenty of time to enjoy the late spring beauty of Brandywine Farm.

On Friday night before the Gathering we will host a real canine SAR training (not just an educational demonstration) in which anyone who would like may participate.  We will set up moderate-length training tasks for Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group's SAR dogs (and guest SAR dogs), including both airscenting and trailing tasks.  You can serve as a volunteer lost person or walk on a task with a dog and handler.

We'll be adding directions, lodging and camping information in the next couple months.

RSVP or ask questions in a comment on this page, or visit the Gathering's Facebook page.

For a ballpark location, check zip code 16037

Lodging Information:

Pet-friendly and pet-tolerant motels are located in Cranberry Township (most with a Mars address) about 13 miles due south, and easily accessible via US Route 19 or Interstate 79/US Route 19

Cranberry Red Roof Inn
20009 Rt. 19 & Marguerite Rd.,
Mars PA
724-776-5670
No pet fees.  Rates between about $65 - $70

Cranberry Motel 6

19025 Perry Highway
Mars, PA
724-776-4333
No pet fees.  Rates about $50-$55 night

Comfort Inn Cranberry
924 Sheraton Drive
Mars, PA
(724) 772-2700
$10 per stay flat pet fee.  Pets left alone in room must be crated, must not make noise and disturb other guests

Cranberry Super 8
929 Sheraton Drive
Mars, PA 16046
(724) 776-9700
Pets up to 50 pounds.  $10 per pet/per night fee.

Most campgrounds are located north of Brandywine Farm, in the Moraine State Park area, between 7 and 21 miles away.  The two closest campgrounds have breed-restrictive policies; I cannot recommend them, but include the information here FYI.  Be sure to have your dog’s vaccination paperwork at campground check-in.

Breakneck Campground

1757 Cheeseman Road
Portersville, PA 16051
Primitive sites, popup camper sites, cabins
Dogs must be leashed

Rose Point Park Cabins and Camping
8775 Old Route 422
New Castle, PA 16101
(724) 924-2415
https://rosepointpark.com/

Lake Arthur Family Campgrounds
243 West Liberty Road,
Slippery Rock, PA 16057-5307
(724) 794-9901 ‎
www.lakearthurfamilycampground.com
Dogs must be leashed
Limited site availability - reserve early

Bear Run Campground
184 Badger Hill Road
Portersville, PA
724-368-3564
Has a breed-restrictive policy.  This does not affect English shepherds, but still, on general principles -- or for those who are traveling with other breeds.  I suggest informing owners that you will not patronize a CG with a breed ban.

Indian Brave Campgrounds
159 Perry Highway,
Harmony, PA
724-452-9204
Closest campground to Brandywine Farm.  Has breed-restrictive policy and does not return telephone messages. I suggest informing owners that you will not patronize a CG with a breed ban.

Cooper’s Lake Campground
Private event the weekend of our Gathering, no sites available



13 comments:

  1. I am interested in coming to this gathering. I live near Washington DC. I would want to "carpool" up with someone and share the expenses of the trip.

    I am willing for us to use my vehicle or to ride with someone and contribute toward gas and tolls.

    I have a young English Shepherd Dog bitch that I would be bringing. She is friendly with other dogs and rides well loose or kenneled.

    If you are intested in possibly carpooling please contact me at chesbayretratjunodotcom.

    thanks,

    Jean
    Lands End Chesapeakes
    Penny, an English Shepherd Dog
    And Joker, a mule

    ReplyDelete
  2. My husband and I are coming. With probally one dog. maybe two.
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi -- we will have our first ES puppy here in May and would like to bring our old "grand dame" Schnauzer & our boys 10 and 13. How do I RSVP and find out more? I am a FB moron, so I don't know how to find out more on FB. Coming from Erie, PA. -- Colleen Shah

    ReplyDelete
  4. We will be coming with the younger half of our pack. Michael, our son Nate and I will be in attendance as will English Shepherd Emily, English Shepherd pain-in-the-butt Shiner and probably our Doberman Viktor. It will be an amusing drive from Texas!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am planning on coming and bringing Lucy & Matilda.

    Mary, I can't wait to see Shiner. I think about her often and look forward to your tales about her progress (or not)!

    Margaret Proctor

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am hoping to attend with one or 2 ES.

    Diane Wiest

    ReplyDelete
  7. The "boys", Chauncey Gardner and Oliver Twist, and I will be coming. We are really looking forward to it.

    Helen Imbernino
    Gaithersburg MD

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'll be coming (probably for the Saturday festivities only) and will be bringing one human friend, Nancy. Together we will be bringing 4 dogs: my two, Beauty (ES) and Ben (ES'y - NESR graduate) and Harrison (ES'y - current NESR foster), and Nancy will bring her cute little terrier mix, Colson. We're all looking forward to it.

    Susan Walker

    ReplyDelete
  9. Heather, I replied early but will be there with 4 adults and 2 dogs.
    Anne Gilson

    ReplyDelete
  10. Heather
    It looks like now I will be coming with Marrianne Dwight bringing my dog Hope. And not bringing my husband
    Sharon Kaminski

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heather, I am a new ES owner. My dog Rowan will be 6mths old that weekend. I am from VA and will be traveling with some other ladies and their dogs. How do I RSVP?
    Janice thebougardclan@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  12. You just did -- but FULL NAMES PLEASE.

    There are more than one Janice, Janet, Susan, Jean, Sharon ...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Heather,
    I'll be coming with my dog, Brodie.
    Jane Cart

    ReplyDelete

I've enabled the comments for all users; if you are posting as "anonymous" you MUST sign your comment. Anonymous unsigned comments will be deleted. Trolls, spammers, and litigants will be shot.