aboutus

   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 5 Tatras and a small
flock of Shetland Sheep for them to guard. We also own one Shetland/mini
horse.
  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
occasionally 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 ’07.   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) 7 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.