The Entlebucher mountain dog will make you reconsider what you thought about large, long-haired, slobbery breeds when you hear the term “mountain dog.” These are medium-sized dogs with short, smooth coats that are between 40 and 65 pounds in weight and only 16 to 21 inches tall.
Due to the fact that Entlebucher mountain dogs are still used for work in Switzerland and do best in households with active households, Entle owners should anticipate devoting a sizable amount of time to exercise and companionship. However, it can be challenging to find Entles because the breeders are few and far between, according to Rebecca Hahn, DVM, a champion Entle breeder at Brunswick Entlebuchers.
Entlebucher mountain dogs have compact, muscular frames and are a working breed. Males are 17 to 21 inches tall, whereas females are 16 to 20 inches Their weights range from 40–65 pounds.
The dogs’ short, smooth double coat is well known. Their thick undercoat is covered in shiny, black fur with tan and white markings. Entlebucher mountain dogs typically have symmetrical markings, which makes them oh-so-beautiful. Tan markings can be found on the eyes, cheeks, muzzle, on either side of the chest, under the tail, and on the legs.
The Entlebucher has a broad, flat head with triangular ears that are floppy. They always have alert, friendly faces that seem to be asking their owner, “What are we doing today?”
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog’s nickname, “the laughing dog,” says everything you need to know about their temperament.
Entles, according to Hahn, make wonderful companions and develop strong bonds with their owners. Theyre best described as “biddable” and eager to be trained. The breed has a strong desire to work, particularly if it involves spending lots of one-on-one time with their pet parents. They become elite competitors in dog sports like freestyle, rally, and obedience as a result.
For those eager to spend a lot of time with their dogs, Entles’ intense dog-owner bond is ideal. But Hahn acknowledges that it also implies that not everyone is a good fit for Entlebucher mountain dogs.
“They need a lot of attention,” she says. “Just [playing] fetch is not enough;] the mental stimulation with these dogs is just as important as getting exercise,” They need to be given new challenges, and I believe they suffer without them. “.
Entlebucher mountain dog puppies need early socialization because they may be initially wary of people outside of their family.
Hahn notes that he has encountered individuals who are extremely amiable, extremely aloof, and individuals who fall somewhere in between. The breed as a whole won’t be like a Golden [retriever], who gets along with everyone. “.
The center of the action is the ideal location for an Entlebucher mountain dog. It’s nice to have a fenced yard, but don’t expect Entles to keep themselves occupied. According to Hahn, “they basically want to be with you all the time.” “.
These dogs enjoy being active, whether it’s hiking, running, swimming, learning new tricks, or winning medals in dog sports competitions. Hahn admits that she was initially drawn to the breed because she was looking for a running partner; according to her, “they need to be in a pretty busy home.”
The cheerful Entlebucher mountain dog gets along with other dogs but may be too much for busy families, especially those with young children, to care for because he requires so much attention. When sufficiently worn out from the day’s activities, entles are willing to cuddle on the couch.
Entlebucher mountain dogs can live happily in apartments with the right amount of mental and physical stimulation—as long as it’s not in Miami or Phoenix. These dogs are mountain dogs that prefer colder climates, according to Hahn, who also notes that they are “a black, heavyset dog; they don’t do hot.” “.
Say it again: Entlebucher mountain dogs need exercise and mental stimulation to thrive. Expect to engage them in at least an hour of demanding physical and mental exercise every day, such as strenuous hikes, long runs, and puzzle games.
Training is a form of physical activity and mental stimulation. Entles are perceptive dogs who enjoy learning new skills, whether it’s completing a challenging agility course or perfecting the moves to a freestyle dance routine. Don’t forget to give them treats for their perseverance!
However, Entlebucher mountain dogs have one trait that makes them low maintenance: their grooming regimen. Although the breed does shed and requires regular brushing, their short coats are generally easy to care for. Regular veterinary care will keep your Entlebucher mountain dog in great shape, including monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventives, dental cleanings, and nail trimmings.
The Entlebucher mountain dog has a lifespan of 11–13 years. Despite noting that there are some health issues that affect the breed, Hahn calls them “fairly healthy dogs.”
Entlebucher mountain dogs may have a luxating patella, though it is more typical in smaller breeds. It is a condition that makes it painful for Entles to put weight on the affected leg because the kneecap (patella) luxates, or moves out of its normal position. It can increase the risk of injuries that need surgery to treat and, in cases of severe causes, can result in chronic dislocation.
Entlebucher mountain dogs are susceptible to hip dysplasia, which is caused by an improper fit between the hip joint and socket. Instead of smooth movements, the joints grind, causing pain. Hip dysplasia cannot be cured but can be managed with a combination of physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The genetic condition Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome (EUS) causes the ureter, which connects the kidney and bladder, to develop improperly. Canines with the condition show signs of chronic urine dribbles or leakage and bladder infections. For more severe cases of UES, surgery to remove the affected kidney may be required; however, mild cases can be treated with medication. The disease may also lead to renal failure and death. It affects less than 3 percent of dogs, Hahn says.
The Bernese mountain dog, Greater Swiss mountain dog, Appenzeller sennenhund, and Entlebucher mountain dog are the four dog breeds developed specifically to work on farms in the alpine regions of Switzerland. The Entlebucher is the smallest and fastest of them all.
The National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association (NEMDA) claims that the puppies’ jobs included everything from guarding cattle and driving herds across mountain pastures to ratting, hunting, and pulling carts. The Entlebuch region in Switzerland, where the breed originated, gave the nimble tri-colored dogs their name. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2011.
Entlebucher Mountain Dog Shedding3/5Shedding Level
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog has a moderate amount of shedding, but it’s not at all low. Overall, you should expect to deal with moderate-to-high shedding.
As was mentioned in the introduction, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog is related to the Bernese Mountain Dog, one of the dog world’s breeds known for its heavy shedding.
Though neither the Appenzeller Mountain Dog nor the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog shed as much as the Bernese, it is related to other Sennenhund breeds.
In terms of fur loss, the Entle generally resembles the latter two breeds more than the Bernese Mountain dog.
Since all dogs shed at least some fur, it is impossible to completely avoid this when it comes to the question of why it sheds in the first place.
However, some dogs shed more than others, and numerous other factors, including the breed’s hair growth cycle, coat type, season, and diet, can affect how much a dog sheds.
Because the Entle in this instance has a thick, double coat as opposed to a dog with thinner hair or a single coat, it has a lot more fur on its body and more fur to lose.
The Entlebucher also has short fur. And contrary to popular belief, dogs with short coats can shed more frequently than those with longer hair.
It all has to do with how dogs grow their hair. All dogs go through a four-stage cycle to develop fur. The stages include anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen.
It takes a dog longer to complete the other three stages because anagen causes fur to grow longer. Given that one stage, telogen, is a resting stage, this indicates that a dog retains its fur for a longer period of time before eventually entering exogen and shedding it.
Given that their hair never grows to the same lengths as breeds with longer hair, dogs with short coats typically go through the four stages much more quickly. Thus, the rate of shedding increases.
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog’s double coat is the final obstacle to this breed’s status as a low-shedding dog.
Normally, a double-coated dog blows its coat (also known as sheds heavily) twice a year.
The summer, when the weather starts to warm, is when this first occurs. To breathe more easily during the summer, your Entle will remove its bulky winter coat.
After a few months without incident, your Entle will blow its coat once more in the winter. Because its summer coat is too thin, the dog gains weight again.
And the cycle repeats again next summer.
For several weeks at a time, both types of seasonal shedding cause an increase in the amount of loose dog hair. So you’ll need your vacuum ready during those periods!.
Entlebuchers are intelligent, independent and loyal. They develop bonds with people and prefer to spend as much time as possible with their families. They are not suited to living only outside and do not do well when left alone for an extended period of time. They can be territorial and wary of strangers.
The breed was added to the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service in 2000. The breed received full recognition in 2011. Entlebuchers love the outdoors and stay close to their people. By:
Cross-breeding in the early 1900s nearly led to the extinction of the breed. The first breed standard was written in 1927. The National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association was formed in 1996.
Although they get along well with kids, they need to be socialized and trained using positive reinforcement techniques. They may attempt to herd children the same way they would herd cattle due to their instincts for herding.
Entlebucher Mountain Dogs (a.k.a. Entlebucher Sennenhunds or Entlebucher Cattle Dogs) are the smallest and quickest of the Swiss Mountain Dogs. Their ears are triangular with rounded tips. The almond-shaped eyes are brown with black rims. The double coat is typically tricolor with black, white and tan.
How Much Do Entlebucher Mountain Dogs Shed?
According to Entlebucher Mountain Dog experts, Entlebucher Mountain Dogs score 
out of 5 in their shedding level.
The Entle sheds moderately in the spring, so you might need to brush him more frequently for a few weeks until he has shed all of his winter coat.
FAQ
Are Entlebucher mountain dogs hypoallergenic?
Barking. Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are known for being quick to sound the alarm at any unusual sight or sound thanks to their farm guardian heritage. To prevent them from developing a bad habit, you must be equally quick to stop them.
Do Entlebucher mountain dogs bark a lot?
With regular brushing and baths, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog’s short coat is generally simple to maintain, especially in the spring and fall when they experience heavier shedding periods. They do shed some, but Ellis says they don’t need much grooming otherwise.
Do Swiss Mountain Dogs shed a lot?
A dog with a very low propensity for drooling is the Entlebucher Mountain Dog.