 |
Basque Herder |
|
He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Spain | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Basque Sheepdog
|
A brief presentation of the Basque Herder |
| The Basque Herder is an ancient Spanish dog breed known as a traditional breed, one that was developed without an official registry. Traditional breeds such as the Basque Herder tend to have greater variation in appearance and temperament than more standardized breeds, and the Basque Herder, in particular, has developed two distinct varieties, the Gorbeiakoa and the Iletsua. Some of these dogs can be territorial or protective, but in general they are high-energy, high-intelligence dogs that are friendly with people of all ages, although perhaps less so with other animals. Although ancient, only the Royal Canine Society of Spain officially recognizes the breed. |
History of the Basque Herder |
| The Basque Herder is an ancient breed of dog that developed with little human intervention and no official registry. The breed is known in Basque as Euskal Artzain Txakurr and in Spanish as Perro de Vasco. It has worked with humans for thousands of years. Skeletal remains that appear to belong to a shepherd very similar to the Basque Herder have been discovered in Neolithic caves and date back twelve thousand years. Sixteenth-century paintings and frescoes contain depictions of dogs much like today's Basque shepherds. A full history of the breed is lost to history, however, the modern Basque Herder is said to be a descendant of shepherds originating in central Europe and although they were traditionally used to herd sheep in the mountainous regions of northern Spain where the majority of Basque dogs can be found, these dogs are also quite adept at herding other animals such as chickens, cows and horses. Most experts believe that the Gorbeiakoa variety, rather than the bearded Iletsua variety, is the older of the two. The Basque Herder population declined sharply in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to wolf predation. In the 50s and 60s, extermination campaigns eliminated many Iberian wolves in the region, and almost all registered Basque shepherds continue to work with livestock on a daily basis. Basque immigrants and travelers to America in the 1950s brought their sheepdogs with them, and it is widely believed that these dogs were ancestors of the Australian shepherd. |
Appearance of the Basque Herder |
| There are two varieties of Basque Herder, the Gorbeiakoa variety and the Iletsua variety. The Basque Herder is a medium-sized dog, weighing on average around 15 kilos and measuring between 46 and 64 centimeters. Basque Herders have a slightly square structure, a chest that is both moderately broad and deep, and strong, straight legs. They tend to have long, broad skulls with fairly long, light muzzles. The Iletsua variety of Basque shepherd tends to grow a little taller and thinner than the Gorbeiakoa variety, with slightly more rectangular heads. Basque shepherds have medium-sized triangular ears that can be erect but often fold forward. Both varieties have black, brown or amber-colored noses and eyes, while the Gorbeiakoa variety has almond-shaped eyes and the Iletsua variety has oval eyes. The Basque Herder Gorbeiakoa has a slightly thick, short to medium coat that generally comes in shades of red, although some are blonder or fawn, while the Basque Herder Iletsua has a slightly longer coat with thicker fur that is generally blonder. or fawn, but can also come in shades of red. |
Temperament of the Basque Herder |
| Basque Herders are generally very affectionate and open with family members of all ages. They are happiest when physically close to their family. Although they are generally very kind and loving to children and very loyal to all family members, they can sometimes become over-protective and sometimes too quick to smaller children, which can cause rollovers and bumps. They are naturally somewhat territorial and have guard instincts. They can therefore be wary of strangers, but when introduced, they quickly show their friendlier side. Although generally friendly towards humans, Basque Shepherds generally need socialization to get along with other animals. They are intelligent, easy-to-train dogs who are generally eager to please, but can become bored with overly repetitive training sessions. They have a mischievous side and a tendency to test their limits, making innovation and consistency necessary to keep them challenged. |
Needs and activities of the Basque Herder |
| The Basque Herder is an extremely active dog, with an agile mind and body. These dogs require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, and can become bored, leading to behavioral problems that can be difficult to eliminate. This breed of dog requires a little space to run around and is not a suitable choice for apartment living. In addition to their obvious talent for breeding, these dogs are well suited to a number of other activities, including agility training, acrobatic canine dance and parkour. Although not particularly well built for swimming, most of these dogs enjoy the water and manage to swim quite effectively. |
Maintenance of the Basque Herder |
| Although the two types of Basque Herder have very different coats, they tend to have the same grooming requirements. These dogs should only be bathed a few times a year, as too frequent a bath could remove the layer of oil needed to maintain the coat's integrity, and a daily brush stroke is all that's usually needed to remove tangles and debris from their coats. Their coat is quite thick, resistant to dirt. Particular attention should be paid to the Basque Herder's ears, as many of these dogs have hanging ears that can be prone to ear infections. Teeth and nail care should be introduced at an early age, so that your dog can participate in a weekly teeth program and a monthly nail-cutting treatment. |
English (United Kingdom) 
Comments