by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: November 05, 2009

The Entlebuch Mountain dog, also known as the Entlebucher Sennenhund, the Entlebuch Cattle Dog, and the Entlebucher, is a breed of unknown origin. It is believed by most, though, that they have their roots in the Mastiffs the Romans used in fighting. No matter where the breed originated, they are one of the most popular dogs in Switzerland today, though rarely seen in other parts of the world. They got their name from a small canton in the Lucerne region. They are the smallest of the Swiss Mountain dogs, used for driving cattle, guarding livestock, and as a family pet.

This breed is accepted for registry in the CKC, the FCI, the NKC, the APRI, the ACR, and the DRA. In all of these organizations, they are classified under the "mastiff" category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.

The Entlebuch Mountain dog is a strong and sturdy dog with well-proportioned composition. According to breed standards, the dogs should be between 19 to 20 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight can vary a bit, but they should be between 55 and 66 pounds, with males often being larger than females of the breed. The ears are triangular and are held in the flopped, downward position. The eyes are dark brown, holding an expression of intelligence and incredible sweetness. The lips and the nose are black. The tail is long and thickly tapered, held in the downwards position, unless the dog is excited, when the tail will be raised. Some of these dogs will have their tails docked.

The coat of the Entlebuch Mountain dog is medium in length and rough in texture. They are tri-colored with tan, black, and white markings. The markings are very similar to those of other working dogs, such as the Rottweiller. They have the tan marks above the eyes. The white is on the tip of the tail, the toes, the blaze, and the chest. Their grooming is fairly simple, but it should be maintained regularly. They need to be brushed thoroughly on a weekly basis to ensure that nothing is stuck in the fur. This will also help to remove some of the loose hair and keep the dog clean. These dogs are average shedders.

They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, especially when there is good human to canine communication between the two. Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are firm, consistent, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly. They are very eager to please the owner that they love and respect.

They are extremely friendly and affectionate. This breed enjoys being with his or her family and friends above all else. This dog will not want to spend a lot of time alone as they will get very bored and this can lead to very undesirable behaviors, such as destructiveness and obsessive barking. They need to have room to run and are not suited for life in apartments. The Entlebuch Mountain dog is a breed that will need a moderate amount of exercise, at least a brisk walk daily. The average lifespan of the Entlebuch Mountain dog is between 11 and 13 years.

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