The Entlebucher Mountain Dog, tricolor “Laughing Dog” of the Swiss Alps, is a rugged and determined mover of cattle. These spirited, energetic workers and athletes are independent problem solvers and are happiest with a job to perform.
Prized for its agreeable nature, intelligence and devotion to family, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog makes a wonderful companion, especially for active, outdoorsy people. Entlebuchers are smart, friendly, agile and extremely loyal. They have an excellent work ethic; given a job to do, they transform from a high-spirited playmate to a tireless worker of commanding presence. Despite their independent and self-confident nature, Entlebuchers bond extremely closely with their people and want to be by their side every waking moment. This is not a breed for the casual owner, as they remain active and highly energetic throughout their life. The Entlebucher will not do well left unattended in the back yard for long periods of time. Because of the breed’s guardian traits, thorough socialization is required starting in early puppyhood. Entlebuchers are typically suspicious of strangers and some can be quite territorial. They are protective but not aggressive by nature. They have an authoritative bark and make good watch dogs. In general, they are playful and good with children.
Choosing which commercial food to give to your dog is a personal choice best made using recommendations from your vet or breeder. You should consider only a high-quality dog food formulated to your dog’s age and activity level. A working dog requires a different formula than a sedentary house pet, and a puppy requires different nutrition than a senior pet. This is a breed who loves to eat and thus can be prone to becoming overweight if you don’t monitor his food intake closely. If you choose to give treats during training, do so in moderation. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity in any breed.
The Entlebucher requires minimal grooming overall. With their dense, short, shiny double coat, they will need little more than a wipe-down with a damp towel between baths to stay in optimum appearance. The breed sheds quite a bit, so you may want to invest in a good stripping comb or a thick bristle brush to keep shedding to a minimum. Nails should be trimmed every month to keep them short and neat. Dental care should be started early and maintained on a regular basis throughout your dog’s life. Ears should be checked weekly. Cleaning out wax and debris can help avoid the ear infections that plague dogs with drop ears.
Most Entlebuchers are healthy dogs, but there are a few disorders the breed can be prone to. One issue found in the breed is Entlebucher urinary syndrome, a condition involving the misplacement of the ureter. Other conditions that have occurred in the breed include hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and some eye disorders. Responsible breeders screen for genetic disease and select for health-cleared stock.
Read the Official Breed Club Health Statement.
Recommended Health Test from the National Breed Club:
Dairy farming has long been vital to the Swiss economy as it provides the key ingredient for two leading exports: cheese and milk chocolate. To move and guard their herds in the days before industrial agriculture, Swiss cattlemen developed four breeds of Alpine mountain dogs known for their beautiful tricolor coats. Of these, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the largest, and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog the smallest and quickest.
The name Entlebucher, “Entle” for short, derives from the place of the breed’s origin, the valley of the river Entlebuch. They were employed as all-around farm dogs and guarders, but the primary task of these clever cattle dogs was to drive their charges up to high mountain pastures in the summer, keep an eye on the herd during grazing season, then move them back down into the valley for the winter.
This job description explains several of the Entle’s key traits. Bred to move cattle up and down sloping pastures, Entles developed remarkable balance and agility. The long, low Entle physique isn’t as exaggerated as a Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s, but the idea is the same: It makes it easier to nip at a cow’s heels and to avoid being kicked.
The breed’s love of work, and life in general, earned it the nickname “der Lachen Hunden” (the Laughing Dog). So enthusiastic is the working Entle, he might leap up and slam into a stubborn cow to move it. Such a can-do work ethic is essential in a 60-pound dog charged with moving a herd of 1,500-pound animals up the side of a mountain.