The Entlebucher Sennenhund is the smallest of the four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds. Weighing up to 66 pounds and standing approximately 20 inches at the shoulder, these dogs have been around Roman times. They were working dogs, who were used mainly to herd cattle, and for guarding. Today they are more commonly seen as companion dogs, although the breed is quite rare in America and Europe.
These are active, energetic dogs who bond very closely with their human family. They are exceptionally brave, and will guard those they care about with their life. But they also make excellent pets that are affectionate, intelligent and eager to please. They do tend to be quite wary of strangers, but come round once they’ve been properly introduced.
Despite their obvious intelligence, training an Entlebucher can be quite a challenge. They are independent dogs who won’t simply do something just because you say so. This can make them very stubborn when the mood takes them. Nonetheless, if you want to get the best out of your dog, training is important. Just be prepared to apply a lot of persistence and tons of patience.
A positive, reward-based training method like clicker training will deliver the best results. Don’t ever try to coerce an Entlebucher into obeying, the dog will just become more uncooperative, and you’ll also damage the bond you’ve built up, perhaps irreparably.
Remember that training will be much easier if you choose a dog name that is easy for the dog to recall. A source that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of categorized male dog names and female dog names.
Unfortunately the Entlebucher is prone to a number of congenital defects, including hip displaysia, haemolytic anemia and progressive retinal atrophy. This is due, in part, to the narrow gene pool from which the breed was developed. Organisations like the National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association are currently working on eliminating many of these health issues through their responsible breeding initiative.
Grooming an Entlebucher is very easy and requires only a brush down twice or three times a week to remove dead hair. You will also have to ensure that the nails are keep short and that the eyes and ears are kept clean. Bathing is not really needed, nor recommended – only bathe the dog if absolutely necessary.
As an active, working breed, the Entlebucher is not suited to living in an apartment. This dog will do best in a house with a medium to large garden and with an active family that involves the dog in all their activities.
Daily walks are a must, and your Entlebucher will also enjoy games and, preferably a job to do. This is easily achieved by giving the dog a backpack to carry when walking.
As a dog adapted to living in the mountains, the Entlebucher prefers cooler weather, and will not do well in warm, humid climates.