Basque Shepherd Dog

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Basque Shepherd Dog is a purely breed dog that originated in the Basque region of Spain. It is traditionally used by the local shepherds for herding. They are also called Basque Sheepdog, Pastor Vasco, Euskal Artzain Txakurra, Perro de Vasco, Euskara Herder, and Chien de berger basque.

This medium sized dog with strong body requires an extensive amount of exercise to keep their energy down and avoid developing a destructive behavior. Training should be consistent, firm and challenging as they can easily get bored. Their guarding instincts are strong as they can become territorial. They are very suitable as family dogs since they are loyal, playful yet gentle which makes them good around small children and elders. This dog would be a delight in any household as long as you keep them happy and content with proper leadership.

Color

The dog?s coat color is typically Golden or Rustic Copper. But it can also come in Mahogany Merle, Red Merle, Blue Merle, Solid Mahogany, Solid Black and Solid Red.

Coat

The Basque Shepherd's coat is very good. It is lush and long with either straight or slightly wavy and of medium length. Their rough coat is longer over the entire trunk but it becomes short over the head while shorter on the face avoiding their eyes.

Personality

These dogs are intelligent animals with strong instincts and very loyal companions. As one of the most suitable breed for a family background, they are gentle and playful and are very good around small children as well as elders. Their guarding instincts are strong. They can be comfortable with strangers once they are introduced to them.

Care

Regular grooming for the Basque Shepherd Dog should be done to maintain their coat's wavy nature. Grooming will also prevent fleas and dog hair shedding in your house. Daily brushing including a weekly bath will keep the coat smooth and shiny. Avoid frequent baths as their skin's natural oils will dry out from too much exposure to water and shampoo. This breed is generally healthy and do not get sick easily. With regular visits to the vet, grooming and nutritious food, Basque Shepherd Dogs have an average life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

Training

They can do well and compete in obedience, agility trials, rally obedience, showmanship, Schutzhund, flyball, tracking and herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured more accurately at noncompetitive herding tests. One can identify that the dog has good herding instincts in their ability to stay close to their family members. They are territorial and will circle the property repeatedly to maintain their dominance. If these dogs exhibit basic herding instincts, they can be trained to compete in herding trials. They are sensitive and intelligent but they can be independent and stubborn as well. This makes them moderately challenging to train. Always keep a trick under your sleeve during training to keep them interested. Otherwise, they could get bored. A firm and consistent handler can successfully train them.

Activity

This dog is highly active and needs loads of exercise daily to drain their energy. They rarely tire and can continue to play all day long. They swim well and do not shy away from water but they are not very well developed for swimming. They can live in a country or in a town as long as the family has a yard and they receive enough exercise every day. They do not do well if they are kept indoors for too long due to being highly energetic. If you live in a small space, keep their energy drained by taking them out for long walks or jogs.