It originates in the historical Basque Country, and is the only recognised goat breed of that area.

[6]: 360 [7]: 171  It is distributed in the northern part of the province of Álava and in southern Bizkaia, with a few herds in the autonomous community of Navarre.

[7]: 171 [10] A breed society, the Euskal Herriko Azpi Gorri Elkartea, was formed in 1999; it has kept the herd-book since 2007.

[7]: 174 [11] The Ark of Taste also lists the Azpi Zuri, a colour variant with white lower parts rather than the characteristic red of the standard breed.

The coat is short and lustrous black with chestnut-red markings on the underbelly, the underside of the tail, the legs and the face[6]: 360  – the Basque words azpi gorri mean approximately "with reddish lower parts".