Entlebucher Mountain Dog

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is one among the four Swiss dog breeds (Sennenhund) which include the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Appenzeller Mountain Dog. However, the Entlebucher is smaller and considered to be quicker. The name Entlebucher was derived after a region in Switzerland where the breed was first bred to work.

Like the other Swiss dogs, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog is believed to have descended from the large ancient Mollosers that the Romans brought to Switzerland in the first century BC when they crossed the Alps. At that time, there was little distinction between the Appenzeller and the Entlebucher, until the latter was defined as a separate breed in 1889.

In 1913, Albert Heim advocated to increase the population of the Sennenhund breeds, and the dog breeds were entered into the Swiss Kennel Club book, including the Entlebucher. However, when World War I broke out, the Entlebucher and other Swiss dog breeds dwindled in numbers. It was not until 1926 that sixteen Sennenhund dogs were found, and the breed was slowly restored. However, until this day Entlebucher dog breeds are still rare in the UK.

The Entlebucher Mountain dog is the smaller among the Swiss mountain dog breed weighing 45 to 65 pounds and standing 42 to 48 centimetres at the withers. This breed has a compact body that is well-muscled, which makes it ideal for a herding dog. Its wedge shape head is nicely proportioned to its body. It also has a strong flat skull that is almost parallel to the muzzle, a slight furrow and a stop. The Entlebucher has a long jaw that is well-formed and powerful. Its eyes are alert with its round shape that is moderately large and can be anything from hazel to dark brown with nice black rims.

Entlebuchers have short, smooth and shiny close-fitting coats which are black with symmetrical markings of pure white and tan on the face, muzzle, chest and feet. On the eyebrows, one can see shades of rich fawn to mahogany.

This breed is low maintenance and requires less grooming. It only needs a good brushing once every few weeks to keep its coat tidy and shiny. There is moderate shedding, but it may increase a bit during spring and autumn. Nevertheless, Entlebuchers only need occasional baths or when it's needed.

Apart from the caring for their coats, the Entlebucher’s fast-growing nails must regularly be trimmed to avoid overgrowth and splitting. As well, their ears should also be checked to avoid too much wax build-up prone to infection. Oral care should not be dismissed as its neglect will cause gum disease and other dental issues.

The Entlebucher is not ideal for first-time owners since the breed needs to be trained and given enough attention by someone who is familiar with handling active and smart working dogs. As mentioned, the Entlebucher tends to form strong bonds with its family, thus, it is prone to suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.

When it comes to getting along with children in the household, Entlebuchers are known to be friendly dogs that enjoy any interactive games. However, it is essential to make sure any interaction is supervised to avoid accidents especially when playtime gets a bit boisterous and rough. As for other pets, Entlebucher Mountain Dogs can get on well with cats and other dogs if they were raised alongside the breed. It is important that any breed has early socialisation and training so it can be a well-rounded dog.

• Senior and less active: up to 1,250 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 1,410 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 1,570 calories daily

Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a rare breed, given its history and how only a few puppies are registered per year. What this means for you is that buying an Entlebucher puppy may be a bit costly and you will have to be put on a waitlist to get one. The initial purchase of an Entlebucher puppy can be anywhere from £500 or £900 and upwards.

The financial hurdle does not stop there. When you get a dog, some expenditures must be considered to make sure your Entlebucher is happy, healthy and well settled in. For example, getting a pet insurance is important and will cost you about £60 to £105 a month, depending on the level of coverage.

You also check with a veterinarian to make sure your dog is not suffering from any illness. However, other than regular veterinary consultations, initial vaccinations, boosters and even spaying (when the time comes) will quickly cost you up to £1,400 a year. Food is, of course, a no-brainer cost. To feed your Entlebucher Mountain Dog premium dog food, be prepared to shell out a budget of £40 to £50 a month. Overall, a monthly estimate of £110 to £170 is what might be required to keep and care for an Entlebucher dog.