Basque Shepherd Dog Facts & Information

The Basque Shepherd Dog breed originated from the Basque country located in the northern region of Spain.

Initially used as sheepdogs to guard sheep and other livestock, this old breed is a working dog with the ability to get along with kids and adjust to the contemporary family way of life.

The Basque Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized breed that demands a strong and competent owner to fully drill out its potential due to its super high energy level.

This article assists in exposing the Basque Shepherd Dog facts, breed information, history, behavior, temperament, grooming, and all of which to look out for.

Key Basque Shepherd Dog Facts & Information

Dog Breed Group	Herding Dogs
Height	18 to 25 inches (Iletsua), 18 to 24 inches (Gorbeiakoa)
Weight	37 to 73 pounds (Iletsua), 37 to 79 pounds (Gorbeiakoa)
Coat	Fairly drawn-out bumpy and thick (Iletsua), fairly drawn-out, fluffy and delicate (Gorbeiakoa)
Color(s)	Pale brown and red (Iletsua), beige and cinnamon (Gorbeiakoa)
Life Expectancy	12 to 15years
Temperament / Behavior	Peaceful, Sociable, Cheerful, Strong, Friendly, Calm
Origin	Northern Spain (Basque Country)
Bred For	Herding, guarding of livestock and farmhouses, companionship
Nickname(s) / Other Name(s)	Basque Herder, Basque Sheepdog, Perro de Pastor Vasco (Spanish), Euskal Artzain Txakurra (Basque)
Recognized by the AKC, UKC	No

Basque Shepherd Dog Characteristics

Adaptability	Highly adaptable
Friendliness	Very friendly and good family dog
Kid-Friendly	Friendly and gentle around kids
Pet-Friendly	Gets along well with other dogs and pet
General Health	Prone to Hip Dysplasia and Ear Infection
Grooming Needs	Moderate grooming needs
Trainability	Easy to train
Intelligence	An intelligent breed
Playfulness	Extremely playful
Exercise Needs	High exercise needs
Energy Level	Super high energy level
Tendency to Bark	Average tendency to bark
Tendency to Drool	Moderate tendency to drool
Tendency to Snore	Moderate tendency to snore
Tendency to Dig	High tendency to dig

Interesting facts about Basque Shepherd Dog Breed

Fact #1: They are called “hyper” dogs

It is peculiar amongst several dog breeds to be energetic, but the Basque Shepherd is unmatched.

They don’t quickly feel exhausted, which birthed the title of being called “hyper” amongst many other dog breeds.

Fact #2: They have the Australian shepherd as their offspring

This is traced back to the mid-’90s when some of these dogs journeyed with their owners from the Basque Country to America in search of work.

Some of the Basque Shepherd Dogs were opportune to mate with resident American dogs. The offspring are said to be Australian Shepherd Dogs.

Fact #3: They make one of the best family pet dogs

While other dog breeds get to blend in with family life, the Basque Shepherd Dog fits into this life without much stress. 

They enjoy spending time with family even though they are excellent herders.

Fact #4: They are naturally occurring breeds

There have been no records of cross-breeding between other breeds to produce the Basque Shepherd Dog. 

Unlike many other dog breeds, the Basque Shepherd is believed to have occurred naturally.

The Basque Shepherd’s existence was not selectively determined to possess certain factors or qualities.

Basque Shepherd Dog History & Origin

The Basque Shepherd Dog is a dog breed that belongs to the herding class with its origin from the Basque Country.

Traditionally, it is known as “Euskal Artzain.” It is presumed that this dog breed is one of the oldest breeds in the world.

Evidence showed that the leftovers of what is assumed to be the predecessors of modern-day Basque Shepherd Dog were discovered in a 120 centuries old cave from the stone age period.

This information has aided the underground work of historiographers exploring the people of the Basque country.

They were able to decipher that these people were shepherds from the kind of dogs they operated with.

Around the year 1952, a bill authorized foreigners to get into America if there was a job vacancy.

Some of these Basque shepherds and their dogs went across the country to Western America in search of work.

These dogs were inescapably bred with American dogs to produce the known Australian Shepherd.

The Basque Shepherd dog breed, according to oral history, is of two groups;

The Iletsua: This is the bumpy and thick-haired type of the Basque Shepherd Dog. They usually possess the pale brown and red color with their ears not fully upright.

They are usually less weighty compared to the Gorbeiakoa and tend to be more protective of their territory.

The Gorbeiakoa: This type of Basque Shepherd Dog is more fluffy and delicate, possessing the beige and cinnamon color.

Their ears are more upright, and they qualify as more sociable than the Iletsua. 

Either of these breeds is yet to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. 

However, their American offspring—the Australian Shepherd—was acknowledged as one of the most popular dogs in America by the American Kennel Club in 2016.

Basque Shepherd Dog Temperament, Behavior & Intelligence

The Basque Shepherd Dog is an incredibly quick-witted dog breed that comprehends fast.

Their active nature makes them enjoy the outdoor lifestyle of constantly defending their area.

This is simply an obsession cultivated from their herding days and has become almost impossible to let go of. 

They are super active, playful with the constant zeal to cheer their owners. They are cautious of strangers but can loosen up once safety is sensed and assured.

Their matchless energy requires a tough hand to drill them into becoming the best of themselves.

Safety measures should be put in place when kids play with such hyper dogs to avoid mishaps. 

Although originally trained to protect livestock, they make good companions and are friendly. 

Male vs. Female Basque Shepherd Dog

Choosing between a male and female Basque Shepherd is a matter of personal preference.

The male and female Basque Shepherd Dog possess a slight difference in height and weight, having similar looks and traits. 

The male breed weighs slightly higher and grows a bit bigger than the female breed.

The male height measures around 52 to 58cm while the female, which is clearly smaller, measures 46 to 53cm.  

They are both brawny average-sized dog breeds with a normal-length coat, rectangular body frame, and a black nose.

Related: Dog Breeds With Pink Noses And Why They Have It

Caring for a Basque Shepherd Dog

Caring for your Basque Shepherd Dog simply indicates satisfying their various needs to ensure your canines live a comfortable and healthful life.

These needs include their food and diet, exercise, training and socialization,  grooming, and overall health.

Basque Shepherd Dog Food and Diet

This dog breed is medium to large-sized. Thus, you should feed them with highly nutritious food suitable for their size.

You should measure their meals appropriately to suit the dog size to avoid overeating or under-eating.

You may want to divide the dog’s food portion into two meals daily. These meals are advisable to be rich in protein and fiber rather than meals with empty calories.

Related: ​​Best High Fiber Dog Food Brands

Basque Shepherd Dog Exercise

The Basque Shepherd is undoubtedly not the type to lie around as it is always dedicated to exercise.

This dog breed fits nicely as a pet to a family that enjoys outdoor activities as they rarely get depleted.

The countrified setting is ideal for this dog breed, where they wander freely in the open space to their satisfaction. 

Frequent strolling and exercises involving gaming activities can be a substitute for their rural roaming.

These exercises are necessary to avoid boredom which may affect the attitude of your dog.

Basque Shepherd Dog Training and Socialization

The Basque Shepherd Dog will be easy to control to obey orders if properly trained.

They can be used for different activities like herding, and if handled by a good trainer, they can exhibit tremendous abilities. 

You should accompany early training days with caution as this shepherd dog is known to conquer fears and go extreme.

Basque Shepherd Dog Grooming Needs

Coat Care

The Gorbeiakoa possess a more fine and delicate coat than the Iletsua, making it the easier type to groom.

Generally, this dog breed coat should be kept tidy with a firm brush with strands.

Bathing

Bathing frequently won’t be ideal, especially for some dogs that do not wander too often to get all muddy.

For those that wander regularly, it is vital to wash them up regularly to keep them clean.

It is necessary to wash your dogs within a period of about 5 to 7 weeks to avoid any skin defect. For puppies, they can be given a bath from three months.

Ear Cleaning

An ear infection is one challenge peculiar to this dog breed and many other breeds as well.

As such, you should regularly clean, massage the ear base, and use a cotton pad to take out all residue regularly, keeping the ears as dry as possible.

A checkup every other week is needed to spot any ear defect early for treatment.

Paws/Nails  Trimming

Their nails need to be clipped regularly as they are always around humans and even children. Nail cutting should be done with care to avoid pain or any injuries. 

Teeth Brushing

Teeth brushing should be done regularly backed up by a particular diet feed concentrated on the mouth’s health.

Also, a professional dental cleanup is not a bad idea for your Basque Shepherd Dog once in a while.

Eye Cleaning

This generally involves cleaning the regions around the dog’s eyes and not inside the eyes themselves.

The regions around the eyes can be dabbed with wipes. Removing muck with an eye comb instead of using the hands is necessary also.

Basque Shepherd Dog Health Conditions

The Basque Shepherd is a strong, extremely energetic dog breed with less tendency to be affected by genetically related ailments, unlike most others. 

With proper care, they can live for 12 to 15 years, all things being equal.

They are mainly susceptible to health conditions like hip dysplasia, ear inflection,  and bloat.

Hip Dysplasia

This health condition is prevalent in many dog breeds. It affects the joint around the hip, causing severe discomfort and inability to move easily.

This condition is usually survived with treatments and workout routines to curb overweight. Surgery is required for severe cases.

Ear Infection

The Basque Dog breed is one of those breeds possessing flabby ears, and they are liable to chronic ear infections throughout their lifetime.

The inability of air to gush within the ear pit allows for yeast and bacteria to grow. 

Cleaning the ear regularly and maintaining its dryness helps to stave off this infection.

Bloat

This is simply a build-up of air in the abdomen or intestine. It can be very distressing and uneasy, causing the dog to drool and breathe heavily.

This condition requires the attention of your family veterinarian. A pipe can be inserted into its abdomen to relieve the difficulty.

An unattended case of bloat may lead to the death of the dog.

FAQs

This is dependent on if the dog is an Iletsua or a Gorbeiakoa.

 Wrap Up

Hopefully, these Basque Shepherd Dog facts and information will help you determine if this breed is right for you.

The Basque Shepherd is a good family dog and can be recommended to anyone used to high-energy dogs. They are loyal dogs that try to make their owners happy.

Their personality, in general, is something that qualifies them as a good companion for exercise, training, and gaming.

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