Basque Shepherd Dog

Basque Shepherd Dog
Basque Shepherd Dog
	A young Basque Shepherd Dog
Other names	Euskal artzain txakurra; Basque Herder; Perro de Vasco; Basque Sheepdog
Origin	Spain/France
Breed status	Not recognized as a breed by any major kennel club.
	Dog (domestic dog)

The Basque Shepherd Dog (Template:Lang-eu) is a breed of dog originating in the Basque Country and traditionally used by the local shepherds to help them taking care of the cattle. It is believed that originated from Central European shepherd dogs.

Appearance

These dogs are well proportioned, with strong, rectangular bodies and trotter features. Their eyes are oval and are brown or amber. Finally, the ears are medium sized, triangular and sometimes show folds. The vivid yellow Iletsua's medium length rough coat is longer over the trunk than over the head and is shorter on the face, but doesn't hide the eyes. The relation between height and length is about 1/1.2. His head is rather light relative to the trunk, which is attached by a short neck and muscular. His eyes, oval, are brown or amber. Finally, the ears are medium sized, triangular and sometimes show folds.

Of the two distinct types of Euskal Artzain Txakurra, the most pure and ancient is the distinct cinnamon colored Gorbeikoa with a moderate hair coat.

History

Pastor Vasco is the Basque or, more accurately, Euskal Artzain Txakurra, as they are called in their homeland. This ardi txakurra (sheepdog) is one of the oldest of the canine race. Neolithic cave prehistoric skeletal remains were found showing that 12000 years ago Basque shepherds and used it for grazing. Later, in medieval Pastoriles Ordinances, in frescoes and paintings of the sixteenth century, there have been representations of Euskal Artzain Txakurra. Nevertheless, their recognition has required extensive research on more than 3000 copies rescued from all areas of Euskadi. Only after demonstrating their differences with other races such as the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Catalan sheepdog, in January 1996, the Royal Canine Society of Spain was recognized as a breed with two varieties: Iletsua and Gorbeikoa.

Activities

The Pastor Vasco can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, Rally obedience, Schutzhund,showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Basque sheepdogs that exhibit basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.^[1]

Basque Sheepdogs in America

Some Basque herders brought their sheepdogs to the Western United States American West when they journeyed to the United States under sheep herding contracts with the Western Range Association in an agreement with the Spanish government.^[2]

References

^ Hartnagle-Taylor and Taylor, Jeanne Joy, and Ty. Stockdog Savvy. Alpine Publications. ISBN # 978-157779-106-5. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ http://www.lasrocosa.com/aussiehistory3.html

External links

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[Hartnagle-Taylor_and_Ty_Taylor-1] Hartnagle-Taylor and Taylor, Jeanne Joy, and Ty. Stockdog Savvy. Alpine Publications. ISBN # 978-157779-106-5. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[2] ttp://www.lasrocosa.com/aussiehistory3.html

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