Entlebucher Mountain Dog Mountain Dog Breed Information

Group

Herding

Weight

20-30 kg

Height

45-55 cm

Lifespan

11-15 years

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About the Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Looking for a dog to join the family and can’t decide? The Entlebucher Mountain Dog might very well be the right choice.

Our Entlebucher Mountain Dog breed guide will make sure you know what is going on when it comes to these charming dogs to make an educated decision.

What is the history & origin of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog?

These dogs are descended from large dogs that resembled Mastiffs that were bred by the Romans. The Entlebucher Mountain Dog was bred to herd cattle. Their size is quite a bit smaller than their larger cousins, and a seemingly bottomless supply of energy enabled them to run behind livestock, nipping at the heels of cattle that ran astray.

It’s easy to see the resemblance of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog to other Swiss Mountain Dogs like the Bernese Mountain Dog, greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Appenzeller Sennenhund. During the 1800s, dogs very similar to the Entlebucher were very popular in Switzerland amongst farmers to protect livestock and pull carts.

During the 1900s, with World War I and II, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog was nearly wiped out due to German Shepherd crossbreeding. After the war, not a single Entlebucher could be found in Europe.

Due to the work of a handful of breeders at the time, the breed standard was established describing the breed characteristics, and in 1926, an Entlebucher breed club was started.

This handful of breeders managed to find 17 Entlebucher Mountain Dogs to replenish the population. In 2009 the American Kennel Club recognised the Entlebucher Mountain Dog as part of the Herding Breeds group.

What is an Entlebucher Mountain Dog breed?

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a medium-sized dog breed that is part of the Sennehund family, which are four similar herding breeds originating in various regions in the Swiss Alps. Entles are the smallest of the four, with a tricoloured coat and a friendly face, which gave them the nickname “der Lach Hund”, translated into English as “Laughing Dog”.

Entles are extremely loyal and protective when compared to other breeds. They form a very strong bond with their family and make fantastic guard dogs as they can be very cautious of strangers.

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog has a thick tricoloured coat. Their colouring is predominantly black with a white chest, feet, and the end of the tail, as well as having white markings around the muzzle stretching to the top of the head. Areas between the black and white are a light brown.

Who is an Entlebucher Mountain Dog best for?

Entles have a bit of a reputation for being high maintenance, so for first-time pet owners, they might not be the best choice. They need loads of daily exercise, and they can be strong-willed and stubborn which makes training much more difficult.

A high intelligence can mean a high propensity for boredom, which can manifest as bad behaviour as they try to satisfy their need for mental stimulation, especially if not exercised. However, they can be good family dogs and will reward you with unlimited love and affection.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog Grooming & Shedding

They have a thick coat, but regular brushing keeps shedding at bay. Being short-haired, they are much easier to groom than their longer-haired cousins.

Do Entlebucher Mountain Dogs bark a lot?

Well, since the Entlebucher Mountain Dog has been bred to guard livestock as well as their humans from potential threats, Entles will often bark at unfamiliar things. Entlebucher Mountain Dogs have a deep bark to scare off intruders. Their loud bark could irritate neighbours, especially at night.

What is the average weight & height of an Entlebucher Mountain Dog?

They have a small and nimble build to weave in between cattle to keep the herd in check. Males are 45cm to 55cm tall, measured paw to shoulder, and females are 40cm to 50cm. They weigh in between 20kg – 30kg.

Are Entlebucher Mountain Dogs easy to train?

Early socialisation and obedience training are crucial for this breed because they are very smart dogs with a mind of their own.

These are very independent dogs which can often take the form of stubbornness and can be very testing for novice dog parents, especially frustrating when trying to train them but if trained consistently with firm rules, you will start to get results.

Entles can be aggressive not only to strangers but to other dogs, making it vital to socialise Entlebucher Mountain Dog puppies early on. The more exposure your puppy has to new faces and other animals at an early age, the more relaxed it will be as it goes through life meeting new people.

For these reasons, we would recommend using a dog trainer who can give your dog the comprehensive training it needs from puppyhood.

How do Entlebucher Mountain Dogs behave? A look at their temperament and personality

An Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a very affectionate dog and loves to spend time with their humans. But don’t be fooled; this breed has a lot of energy and needs exercise.

First-time dog parents may find this doggo a bit of a handful. If you have what it takes to keep up, you will be rewarded with a lifelong, loving companion.

Does the Entlebucher Mountain Dog have any common health issues?

Generally speaking, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a very healthy breed; however, even if you get your pup from a reputable breeder who follows the breed standards and is a member of breed clubs, it may still be prone to some health issues.

Some common problems found in Entlebucher Mountain Dogs include:

Hip dysplasia: A weakness of the hip joints, this is a genetic disorder that not only affects Entles but other breeds as well all breeds of dogs.
Entlebucher urinary syndrome: This hereditary condition is a disease of the urinary tract that is caused by an underlying genetic predisposition.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This is found in certain breeds and unfortunately Entles have a genetic predisposition to it. It’s like retinitis pigmentosa in humans; in a nutshell, it is the degeneration of the retina which gradually causes vision loss, ultimately resulting in complete loss of vision.

What is the lifespan of an Entlebucher Mountain Dog?

If cared for and looked after with the correct diet, this breed can live up to fifteen years which is a very long time full of love and companionship. Many larger dogs only live up to ten years, so if you’re looking for a dog with a long lifespan, the Entle is perfect!

How much does an Entlebucher Mountain Dog need to be fed?

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are a very active breed and require nutrient-dense, protein-focused dog food. Fortunately with this breed and other dogs with so much energy, overfeeding is much more difficult, but it is possible and can lead to problems like canine obesity and diabetes.

In any case, make sure to choose a high-quality dog food for your canine companion, and be careful how many human treats you give them. Like any other dogs, Entles can’t have certain foods, so familiarise yourself with what is and isn’t safe for them to eat to avoid any upset tummies.

How much can you expect to pay for an Entlebucher Mountain Dog in Australia?

Generally, Entlebucher Mountain Dog puppies can go for anything between $800 to $1,500. This will depend on the breeders’ reputation and location.

Make sure you choose reputable breeders who health-check their puppies. Alternatively, consider rescuing an Entlebucher Mountain Dog from your local adoption centre – these pups still have plenty of love to give and often won’t cost as much initially.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog FAQs

Are Entlebucher Mountain dogs good family pets?

Entles make for fantastic family dogs. They can be quite boisterous when they play with their family which makes them probably better suited for a home with older kids. They can become quite possessive of babies and will guard them like their own so take careful consideration before introducing an Entlebucher Mountain Dog into a family that has small children.

Are Entlebucher Mountain dogs smart?

Entles are a very intelligent dog breed. They have a very good trainability, although sometimes stubborn. But if trained diligently with firm, fair, consistent rules, they have a high capacity to learn. They always require mental stimulation, otherwise, they can become restless and bored.

Are Entlebucher Mountain dogs good with cats?

Since Entles are bred to be farm dogs, they are generally very good around most other animals if well socialised. Cats in the family will also receive protection from these vigilant dogs. There are even instances where Entles have befriended the house cat and became inseparable.