The Basque Shepherd is quite a rare and exceptional Spanish dog breed. These big beautiful dogs will not only protect you but also adapt to your environment very well. They’ll adore and be loved by your children as well, despite their ferocious demeanor with any threat.
These intelligent dogs have shiny golden coats and are quite the lookers. You’ll find them bursting with energy at any given time. If you’re considering getting one for your family, be ready for some regular playtime! Read on as we take you through every character and charm of this unique dog breed.
Basque Shepherd History
The Basque Shepherd dog breed gained popularity and recognition around 1996 in the northern part of Spain as a sheepdog. It was a traditional dog breed of the people in the Basque country. Also, there were two main variants, Iletsua and Gorbeiakoa, both of which got officially recognized by the government in 2001.
The most exciting part is that they originate from mainland Europe and have reproduced and evolved naturally. You may have noticed that most modern breeds involve some human intervention, but this dog breed is all-natural. They also have historical depictions in 1000 years old caves that tell the story of their ancestors.
Basque Shepherd Characteristics
The Basque Shepherd breed typically has a rectangular and robust body with a gorgeous golden coat. However, you may even run into one with a red, copper, black, fawn, or even a blue coat. They also have a striking similarity with German Shepherds but have different temperaments.
How Big to Basque Shepherd Get
These are generally medium to large-sized sheepdogs and live a very active lifestyle to burn off the energy. Your female Shepherd will be around 46cm to 53cm tall, while the male counterpart will stand at 52 cm to 58 cm. Also, a fully matured dog will weigh somewhere around 17kg to 36 kg.
How Long Does Basque Shepherd Live
Your Basque Shepherd, under normal circumstances, will lead a long and healthy life of 12 to 15 years. However, you must watch out for some ailments like heart defects, ear, and eye infections. We have explained these later in the article.
How Much Does a Basque Shepherd Cost
You can get yourself one of these lovely dogs at anywhere between $1200-$1800. However, we encourage you to adopt a dog instead of buying one.
Basque Shepherd Temperament/ Personality
These dogs are full of energy and are pretty quick learners. To top it off, they are adaptable and will follow through on your commands. Adding that to their agility and intelligence, they justify the tag of being sheepdogs or herding dogs.
These angels will love to please you and will demand your affection in return. Additionally, they’re quite famous for being territorial and will strive to protect you at all costs. You will observe that they’re all cuddly at home but will stand tall and act as guard dogs with strangers.
They are adorable and will handle kids with the utmost care, and that’s why they make great family dogs. They’ll get along with any pets you have, but it takes some bonding time for that to happen. They are also quick to socialize once they are confident of the stranger’s intention with you and your family.
Caring for Basque Shepherd
These dogs are not very demanding, except for craving your love and attention. You need to follow a few simple guidelines with sincerity. Here are some notable aspects to help you care for them.
Basque Shepherd Nutrition
As these dogs are medium to large-sized, they naturally require enough food to maintain that muscular body. However, your portions should be proper so that you don’t overfeed them, as it could lead to obesity. You can feed them dry dog food of high quality, and they also relish any active breed formula.
How to Groom a Basque Shepherd
While these low-maintenance dogs don’t require a lot of pampering, they shed moderately with their long and thick coats. You can brush them once every day or even alternate days, depending on the climate. For maintaining a healthy and full coat, you should not bathe them regularly. However, you must keep their ears wax-free and brush their teeth regularly once they mature.
Basque Shepherd Activity Levels
Basque Shepherds are very energetic and demand active lifestyles to stay healthy; otherwise, they encounter obesity. To prevent them from becoming depressed or angry, you must take them for regular walks or playtime in the park. They enjoy running immensely and would love it if you play fetch with them. It’s best if you have a yard or house garden or you have a few parks nearby.
Caring for Basque Shepherd
By now, you must understand that these dogs are not high-maintenance. All you have to do is, take them out frequently, feed them well and give them some love. If you don’t meet these needs, they can turn destructive for both others and themselves.
Since they can adapt to all climates, this factor will not pose an issue for you. It is best to keep in touch with a good vet in your locality for feeding and health-related guidance. They are vulnerable to specific health conditions, and you must watch out for these.
Basque Shepherd Health
These dogs are generally lively and healthy as they are a pure breed and are free of any genetic diseases. However, specific health problems like bloating and ear infections can cause a lot of inconveniences. Bloating will make them highly stressed and devoid of liveliness.
You must steer clear of ear infections in humid climates and stay in touch with a vet for regular checkups. It would help if you also watched out for hip dysplasia as it can lead to lameness and lots of pain. For this, they must not be over-weight, and you can treat it with the proper medication.
Breeds Similar to Basque Shepherd
Best Dog Food For Basque Shepherds
Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is a sumptuous meal for your Basque Shepherd as it is considered the best dog food for Basque Shepherds. Salmon being full of nutrients increases the health quotient of this recipe as the main ingredient; it also includes omega-3 fatty acids for uninterrupted mobility and joints’ strength. The presence of prebiotic fiber and live probiotics enhance the physical immunity of Basque Shepherd.
- Made of oatmeal and rice, it is easy on the stomach.
- The coat and skin get nourished by vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acid in this recipe.
- Formulated especially for a sensitive stomach of Basque Shepherd
Best Puppy Food For Basque Shepherds
Speed up the brain and eye development of your Basque Shepherd with Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food as it is the best puppy food for Basque Shepherds. Containing savory chicken, the meal tastes delicious and is also enriched with proteins to boost up the proper growth of your Basque Shepherd puppy. It is very effective in skeletal growth too.
- The kibble size being smaller makes the recipe easily digestible.
- Vitamin C and E present in the recipe take care of physical immunity.
- The ability to learn is accelerated by the presence of fish oil, releasing DHA.
Best Dog Crate For Basque Shepherds
MidWest iCrate Fold & Carry Single Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate prevents your Basque Shepherd from bumping into or getting hurt by someone. Provided with slide-bolt latches, the crate assures you of safety at home or while traveling also comes with a divider panel for the space to expand as per the growth of the body. A pan made of heavy-duty plastic is provided at the base for easy cleaning to maintain comfort and hygiene.
- Its fold-and-carry design makes it the most convenient to travel with.
- The adjustable handles do not strain your hand.
- It is a strong and durable dog crate with a leak-proof dog tray.
Best Dog Bed For Basque Shepherds
Treat your Basque Shepherd to a luxury and best dog bed with FurHaven Minky Plush Luxe Lounger Orthopaedic Cat & Dog Bed w/ Removable Cover. The foam used is of medical-grade to provide optimum support to the joints and muscles. Its design is just right for supporting the back and the neck while curling up; also, a removable cover has been provided so that it can be machine-washed from time to time.
- The ultra-soft surface of the bed feels gentle on the skin.
- It features a step-in style for getting in and out of bed without any hassle.
- Easy for cleaning.
Best Dog Harness for Basque Shepherds
PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness allows your Basque Shepherd to be playful and lets you control its moves at the same time. It comes in varying sizes for you to select the perfect fit. Besides, the delicate throat remains free from choking and comfortable with making it wear with the help of quick-snap buckles.
- Enabled with 4 adjustment points for proper fit.
- The belly strap can is easily differentiated from the chest strap due to its separate color.
- Perfect to train your Basque Shepherd to walk gently on a leash.
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