Entlebucher Mountain Dog

The Entlebucher mountain dogs, also known as the Entlebucher Sennenhund, are medium-sized dogs. The name Sennenhund comes from the people of the region who are called Senn. These dogs help the Senn in their work as herders in the Entlebuch region, in the canton of Lucerne, in the Swiss Alps.

There are four Swiss mountain dogs or Sennenhunds:

• Appenzeller
• Bernese
• Greater Swiss
• the Entlebucher

During the 1800s, these dogs were very similar and not regarded as separate breeds. Through the years, though, they have developed into four different types. The Entlebucher is the smallest of the four.

Entlebucher Sennenhund dogs are tricolor “laughing dogs,” and their strong build and alertness make them impressively diligent cattle movers. They are often high in spirits, and they tend to be active and energetic in their overall disposition. They find happiness in performing tasks that they are asked to do.

These dogs can often be found in both purebred adoption centers and rescue shelters, finding a home quickly with their stubborn yet sweet personality.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Size and Weight

The Entlebucher mountain dog is a medium-sized dog, giving them a slightly bigger build than a terrier for a sturdier appearance. The females are about 16 to 19 inches in size, while the males are about 17 to 20 inches. Meanwhile, both the female and male Entlebucher mountain dogs weigh around 44 to 66 lbs., matching each other’s weight fairly closely (with some variations).

Common Health Issues

To properly understand the Entlebucher mountain dog, there are some health risks that you need to keep in mind. Hip dysplasia is one of the most common conditions, though it is fairly typical for dogs with this body type to endure. The condition essentially means that the hip joint is not properly aligned, and it comes with old age.

Blindness is another cause for concern with the breed. More specifically, their genetics put them at risk for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, which can occur late or early in life. On average, if the dog has this genetic problem, vision will deteriorate as early as age 6 before eventually progressing to complete blindness.

With improper dieting, bloating and torsion are major risks for the Entlebucher mountain dog. This condition is common amongst dog breeds that have a deep chest, and it is caused by a certain combination of food, fluid, and air that collects in the stomach at the same time.

Temperament

These dogs are incredibly energetic, sturdy, and tough in nature. They are great with families, especially with those who have older children. These dogs are extremely protective of their owners. They have a mix of stubborn and sweet in their personality, which is part of their appeal.

They are also affectionate and loyal towards the families with whom they live. However, these dogs can turn abruptly aggressive towards strangers or other dogs.

To avoid their negative behaviors, these dogs must be introduced to social circles early on in life. The dogs, however, are stubborn and can make training a huge task for the owner. They are intelligent and can also become bored easily. Nowadays, they can be found in adoption centers and rescue shelters.

Care

Adopting one of these pups is a big decision, and they have many needs to be met. Here are some of the things you should know before adopting an Entlebucher mountain dog:

Best Dog Food

Owing to the energy levels that these dogs have, they should be fed foods that are high in protein as well as of high quality. However, overfeeding could lead to a lot of health problems for your dog. Though many breeds can simply survive on the typical foods in kibble, enthusiasts recommend only feeding these dogs the foods that are recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Common foods that you can feed these dogs are chicken, dairy, wheat, pork, and rabbit meat. However, since Entlebucher mountain dogs can have allergies like any other dog, check with a veterinarian if they have a bad reaction. Avoid foods like onions, garlic, and pork, as these foods generally irritate the stomach lining and cannot be processed by the digestive system.

Maintenance and Grooming

These dogs have a double layer of coat, and although the hair is short, it could get difficult to maintain and groom these dogs. You would at least need to brush the coat once every week to remove dead hair and straighten out the coat.

Although these dogs are very clean, they can shed heavily during some seasons. A de-shedding brush found from nearly any local pet store should work, but they can be groomed by a professional, if needed. Be aware that these dogs can be aggressive with strangers, so an introduction may be helpful.

You would also need to bathe your Entlebucher mountain dogs every three months to keep them clean.

Training

These dogs are intelligent, which means that they pick up commands quickly. However, they are sometimes also stubborn, which can make training harder in the long run.

To make things easier for yourself, you could start your dog’s training early in life so that the puppy develops good habits.

Exercise

These dogs are highly energetic, which means that they need a great amount of exercise. These dogs need at least one hour of exercise daily, which can be in the form of a walk, playing outside, or a trip to a local dog park.

Any lack of exercise in their routine could lead to problems like chewing non-food items, scratching on doors, and tearing up the home. They need to be stimulated, and exercise is the best way to accomplish that feat.

Puppies

The Entlebucher mountain dog puppies should be trained from early on in life so that training them becomes easier with time. These dogs are also to be fed in small quantities when they are young, as their small stomachs are unable to digest a lot of food in one go. Make sure to feed them multiple small meals a day to prevent regurgitation and inadequate nutrition.

Children

These dogs are great with families that have older children. With their playful nature, children of all ages will enjoy their company. If this playful attitude isn’t properly controlled, and children aren’t taught the proper limitations, the dog may get ahead of itself without meaning to become aggressive. However, this dog likely only gets overly excited as it has more fun, so you may want to give the pup some gentle guidance for the future.

Similar Dogs

As beautiful as these dogs may be, the price or the general disposition may not be the right match for you. For anyone who still wants to adopt a new pet, here are some dogs that are similar to the Entlebucher mountain dogs:

• Bernese mountain dogs: These dogs thrive best in cold weather and are affectionate towards the families they live with. This dog’s markings are strikingly close to those of the Entlebucher mountain dog.
• Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: These dogs are great with children and are highly protective of the families that they live with. They are also incredibly affectionate.
• Bullmastiff: These dogs are friendly, loyal, and affectionate towards their owners’ families. Unlike the Entlebucher mountain dog, they are fairly quiet, barely barking at all throughout the day.