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Entlebucher Mountain Dog Characteristics

Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Care

Personality

Adaptability

Social Life

Exercise Needs

Couch PotatoStar Athlete

Health Issues

Few Known Health IssuesMany Known Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Minimal GroomingExtensive Grooming

Training Needs

Requires Minimal TrainingRequires a Lot of Training

Shedding Level

Sheds a LittleSheds a Lot

Entlebucher Mountain Dog Appearance

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog (aka the Entlebucher Sennenhund) is the smallest of the four tri-colored Swiss Mountain Dogs (they look a bit like the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog but more compact in form). But don’t let the Entlebucher Mountain Dog’s size or short, sturdy legs fool you: These are strongly muscled cattle dogs who can knock you flat if you let their enthusiasm as young pups run wild. Entles have short and shiny coats with tan and white symmetrical markings on a mostly black base, and their expression is always alert and friendly.

Ears:

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog's ears aren't too big, and they're set high and wide. Their flaps hang down and are triangular with rounded tips.

Eyes:

Their eyes are always brown—the darker, the better. They are almond-shaped with black pigmented rims, and they tend to be on the small side.

Nose:

Entlebuchers have black noses.

Coat Length:

Entlebuchers have a double coat with a close-fitting short top coat that's thick, shiny and dense with a thick undercoat.

Coat Color:

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs' coats come in either black or tri-color. If tri-color, black is the base coat color with white and tan or yellow markings that are as symmetrical as possible.

Tail:

The AKC breed standard allows for the tail to be docked or undocked. Docking involves cutting a portion of the dog’s tail off when they are puppies. Veterinary groups along with many U.S. states and countries have banned this procedure due to medical and behavioral reasons. If you are interested in this procedure, schedule a consultation with your veterinarian. If the tail is left undocked, it can be elevated while moving, but should never curl over their back.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog Temperament

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are so loyal and devoted that they won’t leave your side for the next 13 years or so—seriously, they’ll want to be with you 24/7. Bred to watch over cattle day and night, one of their most well-known traits is their need to be busy. These pups are at their happiest when mentally stimulated, and they want to be busy with their dog parents. If you don’t give them something to do, they’ll find activities all on their own—and you might not like what they pick.For this reason, their temperament might not be everyone’s cup of tea—especially for those with couch potato tendencies—but for a pet parent with an active lifestyle, the “Swiss Army knife” of the dog world makes an excellent companion dog.Entlebuchers are very bright dogs, meaning you can train them to do practically anything—which is where the Swiss Army knife reference comes from. But early socialization is vital for the breed. They tend to be aloof when they first meet someone, and they may be suspicious of strangers. They often prefer people don’t pet them when they first meet them; they won’t snarl or growl—they’re very polite—but they’re not thrilled to be petted as a Labrador would be. If properly socialized, Entles do warm up quickly to other people—within minutes—so they can be social dogs, just perhaps not social butterflies.Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are good with kids once they’re properly trained and socialized, but Entlebucher puppies love to play rough, so they don’t make the best of companions for the littles. They’re best suited for a household with older kids. They’re not known for biting; rather, they’re a drover breed, bred to drive the herd with their shoulders, so they might just run into you and knock you flat. (Again, socialization and training is key!) The Entlebucher breed is great with other animals from their household, and, as their pet parent, you might find yourself with more than one Entle in your life.Entles are not what you’d call an easy-going breed; they have a high drive and are a bit more high strung than other dogs, but they are less of a challenge for someone who understands canines in general. Active pet parents with some dog savvy are bound to love the Entlebucher Mountain Dog’s personality.

How to Care for a Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Grooming

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is pretty easy when it comes to grooming—which is a small blessing considering how high maintenance they are in terms of providing them with the mental stimulation they need. Bathe your Entle once a month and wipe down (with a damp towel) their short, shiny coats in between baths to keep them looking sharp. But make sure you brush them with a bristle brush two or three times a week—more often during the shedding season in the fall and spring—to keep their coat shiny. Entles do shed, so get a stripping comb to keep shedding to a minimum. Don’t forget to brush their teeth daily to prevent bacteria and tartar buildup and, as with any other breed, book an annual professional teeth cleaning with your vet. Check their floppy ears for excess wax (which dogs with ears that hang down are prone to), redness or swelling, and consult your vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary. (They may suggest you clean their ears.) Monitor their eyes for any discharge and trim their nails monthly, too. Close

Training

There’s no question that every puppy should be socialized, but Entlebuchers need a ton of socialization right upfront as part of their training. Get your Entlebucher Mountain puppy out right away: They need to go to class, walk around the block and be exposed to different things and lots of people. Don’t push them on anything, though, just show them things. Puppy school is a good place to start. It teaches them how to play nicely with other puppies, and they get to hang around with other pup parents—and, in the process, learn that strangers can be nice, too! Plus, these smart cookies are usually the star of the class. They often pick things up faster than other pups (they are very intelligent), and they look at their pet parent straight away when you teach them the “Watch me” command, because they don’t want to miss out on anything you want them to do. These dogs are very connected with people, which makes them incredibly easy to train because they want to please you so much. In fact, because they are so focused on people, Entles make great therapy dogs. Their strongest connection, though, is with their pet parent, making this a breed you need to train yourself and not a dog you can just hand off to a handler. Make the effort with them, and you’ll have a great dog—one who is deeply bonded to you and hangs on your every word. Close

Diet

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog typically does well on high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific diet, but feeding your Entlebucher twice a day is a good place to start. Make sure you never leave the bowl of food out for your dog to graze all day; it’s important to measure their food to avoid overfeeding. Plus, Entlebucher Mountain Dogs love to eat and can gain weight easily. This love of food is partly what makes them highly trainable: Entlebuchers are food motivated and will want to work for food. So, be sure to include all the treats you give in your mealtime plans for your pup. If you notice your pup is packing on a few more pounds than usual, talk with your vet. They can help you put together a mealtime and exercise plan to help your pup shed the extra weight and maintain their nutritional needs. Close

Exercise

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog’s exercise needs are moderate, considering their energy level. They enjoy exercise, but you can keep them active by doing things with them. Like most dogs, they require a good daily walk or two and space to run, but mostly they need you to be by their side taking part in the activities. (Plan on an hour every day.) This dog breed is excellent for runners, hikers, bikers and anyone with an activity level as high as theirs! Entles are an all-around farm dog, and they prefer work over play, which is why they are so multi-talented and can excel at dog sports, like obedience, tracking and herding—and anything else you train them to do. Close

Environment

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are very sensitive to warm weather and not at all to colder temps, which is to be expected considering they’re mountain dogs. They can live in an apartment as long as you are the active type and include them in lots of your activities. Still, a large home and yard—even better if it’s on a farm or lots of acres—would be infinitely more suitable. They’re good for families with children, but only if at least one pet parent is experienced with dogs and is willing and able to provide lots of time for training and engaging in activities together. This dog is a true 24/7 companion who is eager to please their family. When properly socialized, Entlebuchers will warm up to family friends who come over for a visit—though they may seem uninterested or even suspicious at first. And they will love and protect their furry household companions—especially if they’re another Entle! Close

Entlebucher Mountain Dog Health

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog has a lifespan of 11 to 13 years and doesn’t have many health issues. While they’re typically very healthy dogs, knowing the most common health concerns for the breed can help your pup live the longest life possible.

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease affecting many large breeds. It’s a deformity that occurs during growth and can be affected by factors such as diet and exercise. For this reason, it’s important to watch your Entlebucher Mountain Dog’s weight. Hip evaluations should be performed on young dogs—4 to 6 months old—as early diagnosis can increase the treatment options available, such as surgical procedures that can only be performed on pups. Besides weight control and surgery, treatments to make your Entle’s life more comfortable include medication to alleviate stiffness and pain and acupuncture. Luxating Patella

Entlebucher Mountain Dog History

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog’s origin can be traced to the Swiss Alps, more concretely to the valley of the river Entlebuch. Also known as the Entlebuch Cattle Dog, the breed was originally bred to move and guard herds before industrial agriculture came to be. Entles performed many activities, but their primary task was to drive cattle up to high pastures to feed in the summer and back down to the valley for winter. The Entlebucher’s history as an all-around farm dog explains why the breed excels at so many different tasks—there’s no denying that these Entlebucher qualities persist to this day.
During the 1900s, crossbreeding with German Shepherds and the outbreak of World War I almost caused the extinction of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog breed. However, breed standards were developed as the result of the work of several breeders, and an Entlebucher club was formed in Switzerland in 1926. The breed first came to the United States in 1975, and in 2011, the American Kennel Club recognized the Entlebucher Mountain Dog as their 170th breed.
To this day, Entlebuchers are considered a very rare breed. So, where’s the best place to find an Entlebucher Mountain puppy? You can find a list of reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website, but you’ll need to be patient as puppies are not available on demand. Depending on the breeder, a puppy can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000, but the average is $1,200 to $1,400. (The higher cost is for superior pedigrees or breeding rights.) If you’d like to adopt a Entle, contact the National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association.

FAQs

Do Entlebucher Mountain Dogs shed?

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs do shed, although not as much as other dogs. It’s nothing that a good brushing two or three times a week can’t control, though.

Are Entlebucher Mountain Dogs good family dogs?

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are good family dogs as long as they have a devoted pet parent who will provide lots of training and keep them busy, loved and happy. Entlebuchers are good with older kids; these pups like to play rough when young, so they’re not well suited for small children.

How big do Entlebucher Mountain Dogs get?

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog isn’t as big as the other three Swiss Mountain Dogs—Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Appenzeller Sennenhund. Males can reach 65 pounds, though, and females 55.

Do Entlebucher Mountain Dogs bark a lot?

Entlebucher Mountains Dogs only bark when they need to. They were originally bred to be guard dogs and are known for having a big bark for their size. Entles are often suspicious of strangers and can react to changes in their environment by barking, but the more socialized they are, the more they’ll be able to tell if someone is friend or foe—and bark less.

entlebucher mountain dog

Temperament

Weight

Height

Life Expectancy

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

Coat Color