Entlebucher Mountain Dog

The history of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog is closely tied to the alpine pastures of Switzerland, specifically the Entlebuch valley in the canton of Lucerne, which gave the breed its name. It is the smallest of the four types of Swiss Mountain Dogs, which also include the Appenzeller Sennenhund, the Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. For centuries, these dogs were indispensable helpers for shepherds: they were skilled at herding livestock, guarding farms and property, and used their ringing bark to alert their owners to the approach of strangers.

The breed was first mentioned under the name “Entlibucherhund” in 1889. However, for a long time, Entlebuchers were not distinguished from the very similar Appenzellers. The situation changed thanks to the efforts of Professor Albert Heim, a prominent geologist and a great admirer of Swiss breeds. In 1913, at an exhibition in Langenthal, he was shown four representatives of the breed with a naturally docked tail. It was thanks to Heim that they were recognised as an independent, fourth Sennenhund breed and entered into the Swiss Dog Stud Book (SHSB).

Despite official recognition, the breed’s development was slow. It wasn’t until 28 August 1926 that the Swiss Entlebucher Sennenhund Club was founded, and the first official breed standard was drafted in 1927. The breed remains quite rare outside its native country, although its outstanding working qualities, intelligence, and devoted character are gradually winning more and more admirers around the world.

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a medium-sized dog with a compact, slightly elongated build and well-developed musculature. Its appearance radiates strength, agility, and endurance.

• Head: Proportional to the body, it has a wedge shape. The skull is quite flat and wide, gradually tapering towards the muzzle. The stop (the transition from forehead to muzzle) is weakly defined.
• Muzzle: Strong, well-defined, with a straight bridge. The nose is always black. The lips are tight-fitting and have black pigmentation.
• Eyes: Fairly small and round, ranging from dark brown to hazel. Their expression is lively, attentive, and friendly. The eyelids are tight-fitting, with black rims.
• Ears: Set high, not too large, and triangular with rounded tips. In a relaxed state, they hang close to the cheeks, and when excited, they rise slightly at the base and turn forwards.
• Body: Solid, slightly elongated (the ratio of height at the withers to body length is approximately 8:10). The back is straight, broad, and strong. The chest is wide, deep, and oval-shaped.
• Tail: Can be of two types: naturally long or born with a bobtail. A long tail hangs down in a relaxed state and can be raised to the level of the back when in motion.
• Coat: Short, harsh to the touch, lying tight against the body, with a dense undercoat. The topcoat is shiny.
• Colour: A characteristic tricolour. The main colour is a deep black with symmetrical, rich reddish-brown (tan) and pure white markings. The tan markings are located over the eyes, on the cheeks, on the sides of the muzzle, and on the legs. The white markings include a narrow blaze on the head, a patch on the chest, and white “socks” on the paws.

Entlebuchers are true “Velcro dogs”. They are extremely people-oriented and strive to be full members of the family. This isn’t a breed that will be happy living in an outdoor kennel or being left alone all day. Without constant contact with their owner, an Entlebucher can become nervous, unmanageable, and even destructive. It is essential for them to be involved in all family activities.

They are known for their lively, cheerful, and energetic temperament. They are self-confident and fearless dogs, which makes them excellent watchdogs. They are somewhat wary of strangers, always announcing their arrival with a loud bark, but without unjustified aggression. With their family members, Entlebuchers are incredibly affectionate and loyal. They get along wonderfully with children, becoming tireless playmates and reliable protectors. However, due to their energy, games with very young children should be supervised.

Thanks to their herding past, Entlebuchers have high intelligence and cleverness. They learn quickly but can sometimes show stubbornness and independence. This is not a breed that will blindly obey every command; they need an owner with a firm but fair hand. Unlike some terriers, such as the Lakeland Terrier, whose stubbornness is linked to their hunting instinct, the independence of the Entlebucher is a legacy of their ability to make decisions autonomously while working with a herd. The same can be said for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

In general, Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are robust and resilient with good health. However, like many other breeds, they are prone to certain genetic diseases. Responsible breeders test their dogs for these problems to minimise the risks for future generations.

• Hip Dysplasia (HD): A common problem for many medium and large breeds. It is an abnormal development of the hip joint that can lead to arthritis and pain. It is important not to over-exercise a puppy during its growth period, to monitor its weight, and to provide high-quality nutrition.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A hereditary eye disease that leads to a gradual loss of sight and blindness. There are genetic tests to identify carriers of this disease.
• Cataracts: A clouding of the eye lens that can also lead to vision loss. It can be both hereditary and acquired.
• Haemolytic Anaemia and Thrombocytopenia: The breed can have a specific syndrome related to the immune system.
• Ectopic Ureter: A congenital abnormality that is more common in females and leads to urinary incontinence.

Prevention involves choosing a puppy from reputable breeders who provide the health test results of the parents. Regular veterinary check-ups, annual vaccinations, parasite treatments, and a balanced diet are important. Avoid excessive strain (jumping from heights, running up and down stairs) for puppies until their skeleton is fully formed (approximately 12-15 months).

Grooming an Entlebucher is not complicated but requires regularity. Thanks to their mountain origins, these dogs are well-adapted to various weather conditions, but they feel most comfortable living in the house alongside their family.

1. Coat Care: The short, harsh coat needs to be brushed with a bristle brush or a rubber glove once or twice a week to remove dead hair and maintain its shine. During the seasonal moulting period (spring and autumn), the procedure should be done more frequently.
2. Bathing: You should only bathe the dog when necessary, as frequent washing can damage the skin’s protective layer. Use specialised dog shampoos.
3. Dental Care: To prevent tartar buildup, it is recommended to brush the dog’s teeth with a special toothpaste 2-3 times a week or give them dental chews.
4. Eye and Ear Care: Regularly check the eyes and ears. Eyes can be wiped with a damp cloth to remove any natural discharge. Ears should be cleaned once a month with a special lotion to prevent infections.
5. Claws: Trim the claws every 3-4 weeks if they are not naturally worn down during walks.

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are working dogs with a high energy level who require constant physical and mental stimulation. A bored Entlebucher is a destructive force in your home. They need daily, long walks (at least 1.5-2 hours), running, games, and activities.

Training these dogs can be both easy and challenging. On one hand, they are very smart and quickly grasp new commands. On the other hand, their innate stubbornness requires patience, consistency, and leadership from the owner. It’s important to establish clear rules and boundaries from the very first days. The main principles of training are:

• Early Socialisation: Introduce the puppy to different people, animals, sounds, and situations. This will help them grow into a confident and well-balanced dog.
• Positive Reinforcement: Entlebuchers respond well to methods based on praise, treats, and games. Harshness and physical punishment can lead to a loss of trust and defiance.
• Leadership: You must be the “pack leader” for your dog – calm, confident, and consistent. This doesn’t mean dominance, but rather setting clear rules: the dog eats after you, doesn’t go through the door first, and doesn’t pull on the lead.
• Mental Stimulation: These dogs need to “use their brains.” Obedience training, agility, frisbee, and scent games are ideal activities.

Entlebuchers have a tendency to gain excess weight, so controlling their diet is extremely important. Obesity puts extra strain on their joints and cardiovascular system. The amount of food should match the dog’s age, weight, and activity level.

There are two main approaches to feeding: ready-made dry food and a raw or natural diet.

Dry Food: Choose high-quality premium or super-premium dry food for active medium-sized dogs. They are already balanced in terms of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Stick to the dosage indicated on the packaging.

Raw/Natural Diet: The diet should consist mainly of animal proteins. The foundation is lean meat (beef, turkey, chicken) and offal. It’s best to give the meat raw, having frozen it beforehand. The diet should also include:

• Dairy products: low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, yoghurt.
• Grains: rice, buckwheat (in small amounts).
• Vegetables and fruits: carrots, pumpkin, courgette, apples (as a source of fibre).
• Eggs: 1-2 times a week.
• Sea fish: once a week, boneless.

It is strictly forbidden to give your dog fatty, smoked, salty, or sweet foods (especially chocolate), as well as splintery bones, grapes, and onions. Clean drinking water should be freely available at all times. An active adult dog should be fed twice a day, after a walk.

• Due to their lively disposition and expressive “smile”, Entlebuchers are sometimes called the “Laughing Dog” (Lachender Hund).
• Historically, they were used not only for herding cattle but also for pulling carts with milk and cheese from mountain farms to towns.
• Their short stature and agility allowed Entlebuchers to dodge the kicks of the cows they were “driving” by nipping at their heels.
• The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the rarest of the four Swiss Mountain Dogs.

Is the Entlebucher suitable for apartment living?
Yes, provided there is sufficient daily exercise (a minimum of 2 hours of active walks) and mental stimulation. Without this, the dog will get bored and may start to destroy things.

Does the Entlebucher Mountain Dog shed a lot?
Yes, they have an intense seasonal moult twice a year. At other times, shedding is moderate.

How do Entlebuchers get on with other animals?
With proper and early socialisation, they can get on well with other dogs and cats. However, their herding instinct may show up as an attempt to “herd” other pets.

Is this breed suitable for a first-time dog owner?
It is not the best choice for a first dog. An Entlebucher needs an experienced owner who can handle its energy, stubbornness, and need for leadership. A novice owner might be overwhelmed by the training and exercise requirements.

How much does an Entlebucher Mountain Dog puppy cost?
Due to the rarity of the breed, the price for puppies from responsible breeders can be quite high. The cost depends on the pedigree, the parents’ titles, and the reputation of the kennel.