The Basque shepherd dog, or Euskal Artzain Txakurr in Basque language, is an old landrace breed that has helped basque sheepherders for centuries to tend and move their flocks. It's one of the breeds thought to have contributed to the Australian shepherd, but is much rarer, with only about 500 individuals left in the world.

Gorria ("red" in Basque") is a lovely example of the Gorbeiakoa variety of Basque shepherd dog. Her bright red coat and black muzzle reflect her fiery personality. She is customized from Breyer's Australian shepherd dog; I removed her Breyre logo and seams, resculpted both ears to make the left one longer and to bring the right one up, and sculpted a long, fluffy tail for her (since the original mold only has a little Aussie nub.) I then painted her in earth pigments and acrylics, and glossed her eyes, nose, mouth, and claws. Please note that as the vast majority of Basque shepherd dogs are active working dogs in the field, I painted her to reflect this. She has some dirtiness to her coat, including mud-stained paws, which adds to her realism as a portrait of a herding dog doing her job. And I'd say she's having a great time of it!

Gorria is available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/listing/108821.....e-shepherd-dog