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GNU HAMPSHIRE FARM
Polish Tatra Sheepdogs Owczarek Podhalanski
Shetland Sheep
Polish Tatra Sheepdogs Owczarek Podhalanski
Shetland Sheep
ABOUT US
Gnu Hampshire Farm is located in Hampshire, IL, approx. 30 miles west of O’Hare
International Airport, Chicago. We have 19 acres of gently rolling farmland and
lease much of it for crops. Our passion for the Polish Tatra Sheepdog began as we
anticipated moving to this location and looked for a guardian dog that would be gentle
enough for family and friends yet protective of his home and environment. Enter
the Polish Tatra Sheepdog.
We soon grew to love this rare breed of dog and realized that our male, Quincy,
would be happiest living outside, doing the job he was born to do….guard livestock.
That’s where the story begins and now we have 7 Tatras and a small flock of
Shetland Sheep for some of them to guard.
With mentoring from one of the premier Tatra experts in the United States, we
have embarked on a program to help preserve the breed primarily for their working
ability. Working closely in conjunction with the Polish Highlanders of Chicago and the
Polish Tatra Working Dog Association (PTWDA), we aspire to further this cause and
we actively participate in club work, including sheep and wool festivals throughout
the country. We realize that there may be individual dogs better suited for jobs
other than classic livestock protection, while continuing to serve mankind in a
productive manner. Our primary interest is in creating a fulfilled environment for
the dogs and their charges.
Our interest in Shetland Sheep is recent but we have a small flock that produced
some wonderful lambs in the spring of ’07and '08. We hope to increase the size of
our flock and have found the Shetland breed extremely hardy and wonderful to work
with.
International Airport, Chicago. We have 19 acres of gently rolling farmland and
lease much of it for crops. Our passion for the Polish Tatra Sheepdog began as we
anticipated moving to this location and looked for a guardian dog that would be gentle
enough for family and friends yet protective of his home and environment. Enter
the Polish Tatra Sheepdog.
We soon grew to love this rare breed of dog and realized that our male, Quincy,
would be happiest living outside, doing the job he was born to do….guard livestock.
That’s where the story begins and now we have 7 Tatras and a small flock of
Shetland Sheep for some of them to guard.
With mentoring from one of the premier Tatra experts in the United States, we
have embarked on a program to help preserve the breed primarily for their working
ability. Working closely in conjunction with the Polish Highlanders of Chicago and the
Polish Tatra Working Dog Association (PTWDA), we aspire to further this cause and
we actively participate in club work, including sheep and wool festivals throughout
the country. We realize that there may be individual dogs better suited for jobs
other than classic livestock protection, while continuing to serve mankind in a
productive manner. Our primary interest is in creating a fulfilled environment for
the dogs and their charges.
Our interest in Shetland Sheep is recent but we have a small flock that produced
some wonderful lambs in the spring of ’07and '08. We hope to increase the size of
our flock and have found the Shetland breed extremely hardy and wonderful to work
with.
A reference from a friend, Carol Wood:
Donna Gnuechtel embarked upon her journey with the unique Polish Tatra Sheepdogs (Owczarek
Podhalanski) 8 years ago with a marked degree of careful study of the breed beginning from the ground
floor and has been working her way up through the joys of the breed since. Her many varied OPs
include beautiful imports as well as some nicely domestic bred individuals. She has always aspired to
direct her dogs’ talents into the direction which seems to suit them best and thus she has created a
truly peaceable kingdom among her gentle white giants. Arrival at her well manicured Gnu Hampshire
Farm brings one into viewing proximity of a sight seldom seen outside of Poland. Her collection of well
trained and devoted Polish Tatra Sheepdogs scattered here and there among her various pastures are
living a 24/7 type of working environment. The dog's well being and happiness is always at the
forefront of Donna's mind and she takes great care to see that each dog is genuinely content in their
individual jobs. I have known Donna since day one in her acquaintance with the Tatra breed and have
always found her to be a quick study in all subjects; not afraid to tackle whatever is thrown her way.
Overall, I believe her greatest desire is to see the Tatra Sheepdog be bred on and utilized for its
original intended purpose, yet she is cognizant that there will always be the occasional pup who has
little desire to hang out with sheep. She has plenty of experience with the breed being used for other
worthwhile purposes to make her a very qualified breeder without tunnel vision.
Donna Gnuechtel embarked upon her journey with the unique Polish Tatra Sheepdogs (Owczarek
Podhalanski) 8 years ago with a marked degree of careful study of the breed beginning from the ground
floor and has been working her way up through the joys of the breed since. Her many varied OPs
include beautiful imports as well as some nicely domestic bred individuals. She has always aspired to
direct her dogs’ talents into the direction which seems to suit them best and thus she has created a
truly peaceable kingdom among her gentle white giants. Arrival at her well manicured Gnu Hampshire
Farm brings one into viewing proximity of a sight seldom seen outside of Poland. Her collection of well
trained and devoted Polish Tatra Sheepdogs scattered here and there among her various pastures are
living a 24/7 type of working environment. The dog's well being and happiness is always at the
forefront of Donna's mind and she takes great care to see that each dog is genuinely content in their
individual jobs. I have known Donna since day one in her acquaintance with the Tatra breed and have
always found her to be a quick study in all subjects; not afraid to tackle whatever is thrown her way.
Overall, I believe her greatest desire is to see the Tatra Sheepdog be bred on and utilized for its
original intended purpose, yet she is cognizant that there will always be the occasional pup who has
little desire to hang out with sheep. She has plenty of experience with the breed being used for other
worthwhile purposes to make her a very qualified breeder without tunnel vision.