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Entlebucher Mountain Dog

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the smallest of the four Swiss Sennenhund (mountain dog) breeds — the others being the Appenzeller, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Origin

Switzerland

Lifespan

11–13 years

Weight

20–30 kg (44–66 lbs)

Height

44–52 cm (17–21 in)

Diet

Omnivore — high-quality food appropriate for an active medium breed.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Canidae

Genus

Canis

The Story

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the smallest of the four Swiss Sennenhund (mountain dog) breeds — the others being the Appenzeller, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. A compact, muscular herding and droving dog from the Entlebuch Valley, the Entle was developed to drive and herd cattle in the Swiss Alps. Despite its smaller size compared to the Bernese, it has far more energy — it is an extremely active, athletic breed that requires substantial daily exercise and mental stimulation. It is notably rarer outside Europe than its Swiss cousins.

Also Known As

Entlebucher SennenhundEntleEntlebuch Cattle Dog

Quick Facts

BreedEntlebucher Mountain Dog

Breed GroupHERDING

SizeMedium

ActivityVery High

TrainabilityHigh

CountrySwitzerland

Lifespan11 - 13 years

Good with KidsGood with PetsHypoallergenic

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Physical Profile

Source: wikimedia

The Entlebucher has the same tricolour pattern as all four Swiss Sennenhund breeds — jet black body with rust/tan eyebrow spots and cheek markings, and white on the muzzle tip, blaze, chest, and paws. The body is compact, muscular, and well-balanced. The tail is naturally short (bobtail) in some individuals.

Grooming

Low

Shedding

Moderate

Coat Colors

tricolour — jet black with rust/tan and white markings in a symmetric pattern

Recognized By

AKCUKCFCI

Image Available

Source: wikimedia

Temperament & Personality

Energetic, loyal, and confident — the Entle has the drive of a working herding dog. They are devoted to their family but can be independent. They need experienced owners who can provide consistent leadership and sufficient exercise.

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Living Profile

Activity LevelVery High

TrainabilityHigh

Noise LevelModerate

Care & Wellness

Professional Care Protocol

Ear Cleaning

Nail Trimming

Special Eye Care

Teeth Care

•2+ hours of vigorous exercise daily. Mental stimulation essential — they excel at herding, agility, and obedience. Low grooming needs. Early socialisation important.

Vaccination Schedule

CoreDHPPi (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), Rabies

Non-CoreBordetella bronchiseptica, Leptospirosis, Lyme (Borrelia), Canine Influenza, CRCoV (Coronavirus)

Adult BoosterDHPPi: annually or every 3 years depending on product and titre testing. Rabies: annually or every 3 years per local law. Leptospirosis: annually. Bordetella: annually for social dogs. Annual wellness examination strongly recommended.

Species NotesIndia-specific: Rabies vaccination is legally required and critical given India's high rabies burden. Leptospirosis is common in monsoon-affected areas — annual vaccination strongly recommended. Canine distemper and parvovirus are prevalent in India. Heartworm (Dirofilaria) prevention recommended in endemic areas. Annual faecal parasite screening and year-round tick/flea prevention essential.

Puppy / Kitten Schedule6–8 weeks: DHPPi; 10–12 weeks: DHPPi booster + Leptospirosis; 14–16 weeks: DHPPi booster + Rabies + Leptospirosis booster. Bordetella recommended for dogs with kennel/social exposure from 8 weeks.

Health Overview

Hip dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Hereditary Stomatocytosis (a red blood cell condition unique to the Swiss Sennenhund breeds). Urinary incontinence in females — elevated in the breed.

Common Conditions

•Name: Hip Dysplasia • Severity: HIGH • Prevalence: COMMON • Description: OFA/PennHIP screening of breeding stock recommended.

•Name: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) • Severity: HIGH • Prevalence: OCCASIONAL • Description: Hereditary blindness. DNA testing available.

•Name: Urinary Incontinence • Severity: MEDIUM • Prevalence: COMMON • Description: Elevated in spayed females — "spay incontinence" from urethral sphincter weakness. Managed with medication (phenylpropanolamine) or oestrogen supplementation.

Fun Facts

The Entlebucher is the rarest of the four Swiss Sennenhund breeds globally — while the Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the world's most popular breeds, the Entle remains relatively unknown outside Europe.

The natural bobtail found in some Entlebuchers is caused by a separate gene from the Entlebucher — unlike the Pembroke Welsh Corgi where the bobtail was specifically bred in, the Entle bobtail is an occasional natural occurrence.