This September, the Basque Country Sheepdog Championship will take place in Axpe-Atxondo showcasing agility, loyalty, intelligence and coordination.
But what exactly is the sheepdog competition?
First, a bit of history
In the sheepdog championship, the dog’s ability to manage sheep by following the shepherd’s commands is assessed. The first provincial championships were held in Oñati in 1955. After that, they began to be organised in other provinces as well: in Bizkaia in 1956, in Araba in 1957, in Gipuzkoa in 1968 and in Nafarroa in 1968. The first Basque Country Championship took place in Mañaria in 1967.
In the Basque Country Championship, the provincial champions and runners-up, as well as the previous Basque Country champion, compete.
Although in the early years of the competition various dog breeds were accepted, from 2022 onwards, the championship organisers decided to prioritise native sheepdog breeds.
This activity aims to achieve two main objectives: firstly, to promote native and other traditional sheepdog breeds, and secondly, to assist shepherds in training these dogs. Additionally, the event seeks to raise awareness of and promote the world of shepherding.
When it comes to dog breeds, Basque shepherds have always relied on dogs to manage and care for their flocks. However, in 1995, the Royal Canine Society of Spain officially recognised a breed called the Euskal Artzain Txakurra (Basque Shepherd Dog). This breed has two varieties: the Gorbeiakoa and the Iletsua. Alongside these two, Basque shepherds have also used, and continue to use, other breeds such as the Petit Berger des Pyrénées, originally from Iparralde, and the Labrit from the Landes region. Promoting these breeds is a key aim of these championships.
The flock typically consists of around 25 to 30 sheep, which are divided into three rotating groups. This rotation is to prevent the sheep from getting familiar with the course, ensuring that all competitors face the same conditions.
Exercises to be completed in the championships
There are basically two main exercises:
The shepherd must send the dog out to the flock in a wide arc, ensuring it passes through two flagged gates along the way. The shepherd will also need to command the dog to stop twice, as directed by the judges. After this, the dog must gather the flock, lead it through a cross-passage, and bring it towards the shepherd to regroup them. Next, the dog will guide the flock through another gate. In this exercise, odd-numbered dogs perform on one side of the flock and even-numbered dogs on the other, following the judges’ instructions.
In the second exercise, only the dogs with the highest scores from the first round take part. The shepherd sends the dog along a course marked with flags. The dog needs to circle the field, gather the flock, and lead them straight into the pen. Once they are in, the dog must then guide them back out. Each dog has 7 minutes to complete each task.
The final score is the sum of the points from both exercises.
Important details to keep in mind
Participants should take note of the following:
- The dog must not bite the sheep. If it does, it could be disqualified.
- The order of participation is decided by a draw.
- If the dog fails to herd the entire flock or exceeds the time limit, it will be penalised.
- Any mistreatment of the dogs or giving commands in an aggressive manner will result in penalties.
- The shepherd must remain in the designated area in front of the judges and cannot leave it under any circumstances.
- The distance between the obstacles the dog must guide the flock through ranges from 2 to 2.5 metres.
The event is certainly worth attending. The bond between the dog and the shepherd, the dog’s intelligence and loyalty and the stunning landscape where the exercises take place all come together to offer a unique experience. Also, it’s often held in Axpe, at the foot of Anboto.
These events take place in a lively, festive atmosphere, blending tradition and history, often accompanied by music and dancing.
Lastly, a quick but important note: it is crucial to remain silent while the dog and shepherd are performing their tasks, as the work requires great concentration, and the dog must be able to hear the commands clearly. Enjoy the show!
**Images and general information: EHATE
