Beefalo's base damage values are based on the item you hold

Unlike the beefalos in DST the ones in normal Don't starve don't have their own base damage regardless of the weapon you're holding. For example, a rider beefalo should only do 25 damage no matter what. But if you're holding a dark sword, the beefalo does 68 damage. Additionally, the weapon durability is drained while attacking on the beefalo. This has been the case since the launch of QoL.