Entlebuch Cattle Dog

Other names: Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Entelbucher Cattle Dog, Entlebucher

Entlebuch Cattle Dog

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a herding dog closely related to the Appenzeller Sennenhund. Both of these types of dog have been and are still used by the Senn people of Switzerland who breed them for their agility, resilience and loyalty. The breed has a great many supporters around the world but the majority of Entlebuchers are still only seen in Switzerland.

Key facts about the Entlebuch Cattle Dog

Life expectancy :

7

19

12

14

Temperament :

Playful Calm Intelligent

Size :

Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...

Origins and history

This dog is thought to be descended from a general Sennenhund breed brought to Switzerland by Roman armies in the first years of the first millennium. The dog as it is known today was first recorded in 1889 and it was often mistaken for the Appenzeller Sennenhund because of the similar appearance of the two dogs. The breed was almost extinguished during the First World War but is now gaining popularity around the world. 

FCI breed nomenclature

FCI Group

Group 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs

Section

Section 3 : Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs

Physical characteristics of the Entlebuch Cattle Dog

  • Entlebuch Cattle Dog
    Entlebuch Cattle Dog
  • Entlebuch Cattle Dog
    Entlebuch Cattle Dog
  • Entlebuch Cattle Dog
    Entlebuch Cattle Dog
  • Entlebuch Cattle Dog
    Entlebuch Cattle Dog
  • Entlebuch Cattle Dog
    Entlebuch Cattle Dog

    Adult size

    Female : Between 17 and 19 in

    Male : Between 17 and 20 in

    Weight

    Female : Between 31 and 49 lb

    Male : Between 31 and 49 lb

    Coat colour

    Type of coat

    Eye colour

    Brown

    Description

    A square-shaped yet well-proportioned dog is the Entlebucher. Its ears are small and triangular set high on the dog’s powerful and robust skull. The muzzle is strong and powerful. The dog is covered in abundant tricolour fur. 

    Good to know

    Although suspicious around strangers the Entlebucher is said to be exceptionally loyal and gentle with its family. Gentle persuasion and patience will ensure that its meetings with new people are not troublesome. 

    Temperament

    • 66%

      Affectionate

      The Entlebucher is a self-assured, devoted and affectionate dog. 

    • 100%

      Playful

      This dog is happy and playful and retains a puppy-like joie de vivre well into its juvenile years. It enjoys playtime and will seek attention.

    • 100%

      Calm

      A calm and self-assured dog; the Entlebucher does not get overly excited or agitated.

    • 100%

      Intelligent

      The Entlebucher is an extremely intelligent and has an incredibly strong desire to work. It is best occupied by new tasks and lessons centred on obedience. 

    • 33%

      Hunter

      Entlebuchers are immensely territorial but are not generally bred to hunt and kill.

    • 100%

      Fearful / wary of strangers

      The Entlebucher can be shy around strangers and may take a while to become friends with new people. 

    • 33%

      Independent

      This is a wilful dog that will test the boundaries of the household’s hierarchy whenever it can. 

      Behaviour of the Entlebuch Cattle Dog

      • 33%

        Tolerates solitude

        The Entlebucher tolerates a degree of solitude. 

      • 100%

        Easy to train / obedience

        This is a dog that is very quick to learn. It is also wilful and stubborn and may play to its owner’s weaknesses. 

      • 66%

        Barking

        The Entlebucher readily barks. It enjoys the sound of its own voice. 

      • 33%

        Tendency to run away

        A well-trained Entlebucher will respond to your recall command without hesitation.

      • 66%

        Destructive

        If it is unhappy or stressed the Entlebucher will be destructive.  

      • 100%

        Greedy / Gluttony

        This dog is known to be greedy and will eat anything it thinks is edible. 

      • 100%

        Guard dog

        The Entlebucher is an exceptionally alert and territorial dog. It makes an excellent watchdog.

      • 100%

        First dog

        A Entlebucher’s willfulness may get the better of the first-time owner. Confidence and consistency of training is called for. 

        Access the rest of the content after the ad

        Loading advertisement ...

        Is the Entlebuch Cattle Dog right for you?

        take the test

        Lifestyle

        • 100%

          Entlebuch Cattle Dog in a flat

          The dog will not be happy to live in a flat or to only have access to a small confined garden. 

        • 100%

          Need for exercise / Sporty

          The Entlebucher is far better suited to a rural existence.   

        • 66%

          Travelling / easy to transport

          The Entlebucher is comfortable with travel

          Compatibility

          • 100%

            Entlebuch Cattle Dog and cats

            This dog will tolerate a cat that it is familiar with but it may not be so of other cats and small animals.

          • 100%

            Entlebuch Cattle Dog and dogs

            The Entlebucher is reasonably friendly around other dogs. 

          • 100%

            Entlebuch Cattle Dog and children

            This dog is careful and gentle around children but it can be boisterous. It will try both to herd children and assert its dominance. 

          • 33%

            Entlebuch Cattle Dog and the elderly

            The Entlebucher is a good choice of dog for someone of senior years. 

            %}

            Price

            This breed will cost between £800 and £1000 to buy and between £60 and £90 per month to keep.

            Grooming

            Brush this dog every two weeks or so to remove dander and to keep the coat shiny. 

            Shedding

            The Entlebucher sheds throughout the year. 

            Nutrition of the Entlebuch Cattle Dog

            It is always worthwhile to feed a Entlebucher a high-quality and specially formulated dog food rather than human food. The Entlebucher’s diet should consist of good amounts of protein and fat. 

            Health of the Entlebuch Cattle Dog

            Life expectancy

            The Entlebucher is not renowned for its healthy constitution. Years of inbreeding have caused congenital defects to become more often seen. 

            Strong / robust

            The Entlebucher is strong, agile and adventurous. 

            Withstand heat

            The Entlebucher is prone to heat stroke.  

            Withstand cold

            The double coat of the Entlebucher keeps the dog warm in cold weather. 

            Tendency to put on weight

            Weight gain is seen of any dog that is not exercised as regularly as it should be and is fed too much human or substandard food. 

            Common illnesses

            Leave a comment on this breed
            Connect to comment