Shepherd dog championships in the Basque Country.

Shepherds, dogs and sheep come together to measure the potential of Basque shepherding in the different competitions held throughout the year all over the Basque Country.

Shepherds, dogs and sheep come together in the most striking rural environments of our land to give rise to an authentic experience of our territory, the Shepherd dog championships. The presence of all of them, forms a natural set in which tradition and history act as witnesses to the complicity of dogs and shepherds. Luckily, we have been able to enjoy this tradition rooted in every baserri (Basque for farmhouse) of our land since we were very young. A beautiful custom, in which the work of the shepherd and the dog becomes an exhibition for a day to amaze all the people who contemplate it.

Although, the policies of our territories and globalization make life in rural areas more and more difficult, thanks to the commitment of shepherds from Araba, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Navarra and Iparralde (French Basque Country), today it is still possible to hold the Shepherd Dog Championships of the Basque Country (Euskal Herriko artzai txakurren txapelketak in Basque). In case the migration of Basques to America to work as shepherds is not enough proof of the tradition of our people in this sector, we recommend you to go to important events such as Atxondo (Euskal Herria Shepherd Dog Competition) or Oñati (International Shepherd Dog Competition) to be able to attest to it. These events make clear the good shepherd’s work in Euskal Herria and the tradition present in each txoko of our territory.

Although nowadays most of the dogs that participate in this type of competitions belong to the “Basque Shepherd” breed, this has not always been the case. In fact, in the Oñati International Championship, Catalan and French dogs break with the hegemony of the Basque Shepherd.

Although the annual event in Oñati is the most important on the calendar, the Shepherd Dog Festival held in the Elizalde fields, in Atxondo, is one of our favorite events. It is here, in the 51st edition of the Basque Shepherd Dog Championship of Euskal Herria, where we saw how people from outside the Basque Country enjoyed the intelligence of the dogs and the management of the shepherds. An exhibition, which, together with the unmistakable environment that surrounds the Anboto mountain, gives us a unique experience. By the way, we saw a lot of ignorance in the travelers who visit us, so, let’s try to break down every detail of these championships. Attention!

History: It all began in 1955 in Oñati, when its mayor, Reyes Corcostegui, wanted to pay tribute to the Basque Shepherds by means of an event in which, together with their dogs, they would be the only protagonists. We have to indicate, that at that time the Catalan town was already an expert in carrying out this type of events, it was nothing new, they had been organizing shepherd dog championships since 1948. A fact, in which the then mayor of Oñati was supported to create the first championship of Shepherd of Euskadi. Thus, with the help of Agustín Franco, the veterinarian from Seville responsible for the shepherd dog championships in Catalonia, the first shepherd dog competition in our land was held on September 25, 1955. Such was the success of this event that work began on a local championship. In 1967, 12 years after that event in Oñati, the first Basque Shepherd Dog Championship of Euskal Herria was held in Mañaria. However, this one is different, it is a local championship in which only Shepherds from Euskal Herria (Araba, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Navarra and Iparralde) take part. Since then, these championships have been repeated annually in practically the same places, with similar rules and the same objectives. We must make special emphasis on this last championship, that of Euskal Herria, the official championship according to the Basque Government. This competition has been held in a locality of Duranguesado during all its history, the last editions being held in the fields of Elixondo de Axpe, in the foothills of Anboto, under the watchful eye of Mari. A natural paradise from which everyone leaves amazed.

Shepherd dogs: The shepherd dogs of Euskal Herria have always had a very defined task: to protect the flock from predators, the wolves. In this task two breeds stood out, the Navarrese in the south and the Pyrenean in the north. Two very similar breeds, of which practically no distinction was made. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became possible for the dog to lead the flock, a fact that led the shepherds to introduce new breeds. The mixtures between the dogs of yesteryear and the new breeds gave rise to the Basque Shepherd that we know today (in its two variations): the “Gorbeia Basque Shepherd” and the “iletsua Basque Shepherd” (hairy or long-haired in Basque). In any case, we have to mention the Labrit breeds of the Landes or the Shepherd of the Pyrenees, two breeds that have also been very active in our territory.

Gerediaga Elkartea: Gerediaga is one of the sheepdog associations of our territory. One of those that form the Sheepdog Competitions Association of Euskal Herria, the association responsible for and organizer of the Euskal Herria Sheepdog Championship. Thanks to their good work, today we still have the opportunity to enjoy this sample of rural work in many txokos of our territory. Eskerrik asko!

Atmosphere: Festive, traditional and historical, this is the atmosphere that surrounds the pasture dog championships of the Basque Country. In many occasions, it merges with other traditions of our people such as dances, music or Herri Kirolak (traditional sports of the Basque people). Of course, very important, although the atmosphere is festive, please, a lot of respect when the shepherds are performing the exercises, a strict silence is required. Unfortunately many people do not comply, a terrible lack of respect.

The flock: The local sheep are usually the protagonists of the event. The flock is divided into 3 groups (about 25-30 sheep each) that rotate as the exercises progress. The objective is unique, that the sheep do not memorize the way, that they do not get used to the exercise, a fact, which would leave the first participants with a clear disadvantage. An objective that is perfectly fulfilled with this measure.

Prizes: To give you an idea of the love and passion that Basque shepherds feel for this ancestral custom, we are going to reveal how much the prizes amount to in one of the most important championships: the championship of Euskal Herria.

Having seen the prizes and taking into account that many of them had to travel more than 150 kilometers, one thing is clear, they do not do it for money. Passion and love for what is ours guide them along the way: history, culture and the rural environment.

Price: 4€. A symbolic price. A price suitable for all budgets. Even more, if we take into account that along with the purchase of the ticket there is usually a raffle of products made by the shepherds themselves in their livestock farms. What do you think? Possibility to take home organic, local and high quality products to enjoy the incredible work done by shepherds and dogs. A real treat.

Competitions: Given the little help that the sector has nowadays, we are lucky to be able to continue enjoying the different competitions that take place. There are currently two different modalities: exhibitions and official championships. Both modalities have the same objective, to see the qualities of the dog through obedience and agility exercises in the company of the Shepherd. The first championships are the provincial championships, the Alava Championship, the Bizkaia Championship, the Gipuzkoa Championship, the Navarre Championship and the Iparralde Championship. From all of them, the champion and runner-up go to the Euskal Herria Championship together with the winner of the previous year. To round off the season (between August and September), we have the International Championship of Oñati, in which Basque dogs will compete against dogs from other regions.

Exercises: What do the Basque Country Shepherd Dog Championships consist of? Simple. All the competitions are similar, practically the same. They all consist of the obedience/skill of the dog and the good indications of the shepherd. In the case of the Shepherd Dog Championship of the Basque Country, there are 2 exercises to be performed. In both exercises, the aim is to simulate the field work that these dogs perform on a daily basis by means of artificial obstacles. The championship begins with the presentation of the jury, dogs and shepherds. After this presentation, the draw is made to determine the order of the shepherds.

1 exercise: The Shepherd must lead the dog in the opposite direction to the place where the herd is located, passing through a series of flags and indicating him to stop (on 2 occasions) when the jury so decides (by means of a whistle). All this without the herd. Once in the vicinity of the sheep, the dog must take control of the group and lead the whole group through the middle of two simulated bushes. The dog must then lead it to the vicinity of the shepherd to keep it within a circle (marked on the ground) for 1 second and finish by passing the flock (again) through another of the simulated bushes in the enclosure (left or right at the choice of the judges). The objective of this first exercise is to test the dog by making it do a considerable turn around instead of going directly to the herd while obeying the shepherd’s commands. Here is a short video for your better understanding:

Second exercise: This exercise will only be performed by those pairs (dog/shepherd) that have obtained the best scores in the first exercise. The dog’s route is very similar to that of point 1, but the dog’s actions change completely. The stretch of flags is extended, making it more difficult to stay on the marked path, and at the same time a new enclosure comes into play in which the dog must introduce the flock as smoothly as possible.

The points of the two exercises are cumulative, in case of a tie the time will be taken as a reference, being the txapeldun the dog that takes less time to complete all the tasks.

Regulations: Both the technical regulations and the designation of the jury are carried out by the Sheepdog Competition Association of the Basque Country. It is difficult to understand the rules of sheepdog competitions in the field, so we will try to summarize them so that you have no doubts about them.

The exercises that we have the pleasure of enjoying in these exhibitions and championships of shepherd dogs in the Basque Country are the result of many hours of work. An effort, that is not rewarded with the prizes that are distributed in this type of competitions, but with the pride of having the best shepherd dog of all Euskal Herria.