Basque breeds and cultivars facts for kids
The Basque Country is a special place in Europe where people have developed unique types of animals and plants. These are called Basque breeds and cultivars. This means that over many years, Basque people have carefully bred animals or grown plants to have certain useful features. For example, some animals might be bred for their milk, and some plants for their fruit.
Sometimes, a breed that wasn't originally from the Basque Country, like the Alano Español dog, has found its last home there. This shows how important the Basque Country has been in keeping some special breeds alive.
Basque Farm Animals
Many unique farm animals come from the Basque Country. These animals have been important for farming and food for a long time.
Azpi Gorri Goats
The Azpi Gorri is a special type of goat. You can find these goats in the Gorbeia region and other areas like the Encartaciones. There are fewer than 100 of these goats left, which means they are a very rare and endangered breed.
Basco-béarnaise Sheep
The Basco-béarnaise is a sheep breed that comes from the northern parts of the Basque Country. These sheep have long, white wool and curved horns. They can weigh up to 80 kilograms. Basco-béarnaise sheep are mostly raised for their milk, which is used to make a famous cheese called Ossau-Iraty. This cheese has a special quality label called AOC. A similar sheep breed in the Spanish Basque Country is the Vasca Carranzana.
Basque Mountain Horses
The Basque Mountain Horse is a strong and hardy horse breed, well-suited for life in the mountains.
Baztanesa Pigs
The Baztanesa or Baztango Txerria was a type of Basque pig that is now extinct. It got its name from the Baztan Valley in northern Navarre. Until the 1960s, this pig was very common in that area.
Betizu Cattle
The Betizu is a type of cattle known for being very agile. They have a large head and a rectangular body shape.
Burguete Horses
The Burguete horse is another important horse breed from the Basque region.
Chato Vitoriano Pigs
The Chato Vitoriano was another Basque pig breed that is now extinct. It was also called Chato de Vitoria. This pig breed started in Álava but became popular in other parts of Spain too. In 1955, there were about 86,000 of these pigs, but by the 1960s, the breed had disappeared.
Enkarterriko Asto Donkeys
The Enkarterriko Asto is the smallest type of donkey found in the Iberian Peninsula. Male donkeys of this breed weigh between 170 and 210 kilograms, and females weigh between 140 and 190 kilograms. They are not much taller than 120 centimeters at their shoulders.
Euskal Antzara Geese
The Euskal Antzara is the Basque breed of domestic goose. These geese are raised for both their meat and their eggs. Male geese (ganders) weigh between 7 and 9 kilograms, while female geese weigh about 1 kilogram less. Their eggs are white and weigh at least 160 grams each.
Euskal Oiloa Chickens
The Euskal Oiloa is the chicken breed from the Basque Country. It comes in five different varieties, each with a unique look: Beltza (black), Gorria, Lepasoila (which means naked-necked), Marraduna, and Zilarra. At the end of 2013, there were over 10,000 of these birds, all found in the Basque Country.
Euskal Txerria Pigs
The Euskal Txerria is a native pig breed of the Basque Country. It is also known as Pie Noir du Pays Basque. This breed was officially recognized in France in 1921, but today it is an endangered breed.
The Jaca Navarra is another horse breed with strong ties to the Basque region.
Latxa Sheep
The Latxa is a type of dairy sheep from the Basque Country. They are mostly raised in Biscay, Gipuzkoa, and Navarre. Their milk is used to make famous cheeses like Idiazábal and Roncal. Latxa sheep are medium to small in size and have fairly coarse wool.
Pottoka Horses
The Pottoka is an old and endangered breed of mountain horse. These horses are small with a large head, small ears, and a short neck. They have a long back, a shaggy mane, and small hooves. Originally, these horses roamed freely or semi-wild in the Basque Pyrenees mountains. Today, many are kept in stables.
Basque Dog Breeds
There are five special dog breeds that come from the Basque Country:
- The Basque Shepherd Dog (called Euskal Artzain Txakurra in Basque) is a common dog throughout the Basque Country.
- The Erbi Txakur
- The Pachón de Vitoria, also known as Pachón Navarro
- The Villano de Las Encartaciones or Enkarterriko Billano
- The Villanuco de Las Encartaciones or Enkarterriko Billanuko
All of these dogs, except for the Pachón de Vitoria, are native to the Basque Autonomous Community. They were officially recognized as traditional Basque breeds in 2001.
Basque Plant Cultivars
The Basque Country is also home to unique types of plants, especially fruits and vegetables.
Alubia Pinta Alavesa Beans
The Alavan pinto bean is a special type of common bean grown in the region.
Basque Apple Varieties
Growing apples has been a tradition in the Basque Country for a very long time, especially for making Basque cider. Records show that people were making and drinking cider as far back as the 11th and 12th centuries. One old diary from a pilgrim in 1134 even mentioned that Basques were famous for growing apples and drinking cider. An inquisitor in the 16th century called the Basque Country "the land of the apple."
Many different kinds of apples exist and are used to make cider. A dictionary from 1905 listed over 80 Basque apple varieties! Depending on the kind of cider they want to make, different apples are mixed together. Some common varieties include:
- Errezila: This apple is sharp and sweet, and it's the most common Basque apple. It's mottled green.
- Geza miña: A sharp apple, also known as sagar zuria (white apple) or esnaola sagarra. It's green.
- Goikoetxea: A sharp red apple.
- Mokoa: Another sharp red apple.
- Mozoloa: This apple is sweet and fresh, and it's green.
- Patzuloa: A sweet and fresh light green apple.
- Txalaka: This apple is both sour and sweet, and it's bright green.
- Ugarte: A sour red apple.
- Urdin sagarra: A sharp apple that is red on top and green underneath.
- Urtebi txikia: A sharp yellow-green apple.
Espelette Peppers
Espelette peppers are a type of mild pepper grown in the Northern Basque Country, specifically in the Espelette area. They have a special certification that guarantees their origin and quality.
Pelua Cherries
Pelua cherries are an early type of black cherry grown in the Basque Country.
Xapata Cherries
Xapata cherries are another variety of black cherry. They have a very short season, only lasting a few weeks around June. These cherries are mainly grown near the town of Itxassou in Lapurdi.
Pyrenean Breeds
Some animal breeds are found in both the Basque Country and other regions that are part of the Pyrenees mountains.
Pirenaica Cattle
The Pirenaica is a breed of cattle found in the Basque Country, as well as in Aragon and Catalonia. In 1995, there were over 4,000 of these cattle in the Basque Autonomous Community, so this breed is not considered endangered.
Pyrenean Mountain Dogs
The Pyrenean Mountain Dog (called Pirinioetako mendiko zakurra in Basque) is a very large dog breed. These dogs are known for being excellent guardians for farm animals.
