Basque shepherd dogs

[Sparrow in Texas]

In 2016 as I was walking down the mountain from Roncesvalles a scruffy tan dog Zoomed by me, followed later by the owner who told me that the dog was his Basque shepherd dog going for its daily two hour run in the mountains! I was so excited to see the dog run by! Those dogs are working herding dogs known for having high endurance in rough terrain. There are two types, that particular dog was the Iletsua type with course hair and ears not erect . The second type is the Gorbeikoa with a smooth redish coat. I finally saw one this past October when visiting a bar in Haro. The owner proudly introduced his dog, friendly and of high intelligence.
My avatar is the lovely Kate RIP, a blend of Border Collie and McNab, a breed that came about in northern California in the late 1800's, which itself is a blend of Border collie and Basque shepherd dog, so of course I was happy to meet distant relations!
T

 

[Sparrow in Texas]

Hopefully this will be a bit better view of this special dog! Click for full image.

 

[Tom Hagger]

It looks superb! Thanks for the post. Tom

 

[MAW6]

I hope to meet some dogs on my Camino!

 

[JerryStroebele]

Just do not try to pet the big friendly looking "Beethoven" Pyrenees sheep dogs on a chain. Their job is to protect the farm and farm yard and everything inside the fence. Especially at night. Stay away! Buen Camino

 

[lt56ny]

Just do not try to pet the big friendly looking "Beethoven" Pyrenees sheep dogs on a chain. Their job is to protect the farm and farm yard and everything inside the fence. Especially at night. Stay away! Buen Camino

Without a doubt good advice to follow.

 

[LesR]

I was more intrigued by the large guard dogs in Galicia - living in the paddock with the stock.

I saw a couple of dogs with thick studded leather collars and wondered just what might be lurking in the woods to warrant that sort of protection... I have since found out that there is an active program of 're-wilding' some areas - re-introducing Iberian wolves. Presumably there was a risk of the stock (and guard dogs) being attacked by wolves in the area, although I have not heard any report of pilgrims going missing...

 

[JerryStroebele]

Yes, it's true. Following our 2015 Camino my wife and I were fortunate to be introduced to an Austrian farmer who leased about 5000 acres of wild mountain top land from the Galician government, about 100 km SW of Santiago, just back from and above the coast. He established a farm to reintroduce old European stock for sustainable farming. His cattle were an ancient breed of which only 5000 were left in all of Europe. They could eat the gorse! His pigs were also an ancient breed. And his breed of sheep, too. To guard the sheep from wolves in the area he had his beautiful, friendly Beethoven Great Pyrenees sheep dog. Fun to see him romp and play with this huge dog. So FRIENDLY and affectionate to him. But, he said he would never, ever enter the sheep enclosure at night. The dog would kill him. We learned a year later that wolves had entered the enclosure and killed most of his sheep. The dog survived. Buen Camino!

 

[Connie Ramage]

Yes, it's true. Following our 2015 Camino my wife and I were fortunate to be introduced to an Austrian farmer who leased about 5000 acres of wild mountain top land from the Galician government, about 100 km SW of Santiago, just back from and above the coast. He established a farm to reintroduce old European stock for sustainable farming. His cattle were an ancient breed of which only 5000 were left in all of Europe. They could eat the gorse! His pigs were also an ancient breed. And his breed of sheep, too. To guard the sheep from wolves in the area he had his beautiful, friendly Beethoven Great Pyrenees sheep dog. Fun to see him romp and play with this huge dog. So FRIENDLY and affectionate to him. But, he said he would never, ever enter the sheep enclosure at night. The dog would kill him. We learned a year later that wolves had entered the enclosure and killed most of his sheep. The dog survived. Buen Camino!

Sad and scary. I just finished reading Robinson Crusoe, written in 1719. His last adventure was a land trip via horseback across the Pyrenees. The travelers were attacked by big wolves, well over 100 in the pack. Having crossed these mountains 3xs on foot, I was never aware that preditors were out there! Hopefully we won't be reading of any encounters!