Entlebuch Mountain Dog
The smallest Swiss cattle dog: compact, confident and cheerful, with a strong bond to its family and a busy mind.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 44–50 cm · Females 42–48 cm
- Weight
- Males 20–30 kg · Females 20–27 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Double coat, short
- Colours
- Tricolour
- Bred for
- Herding, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 47 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a compact, active family dog
- enjoy dog sports or long walks
- want an easy-care coat
Think twice if you …
- want a sedentary dog
- are often away for long hours
- prefer a dog that welcomes strangers
Care
Temperament
Confident, cheerful and loyal. It is alert and protective of its home, often reserved with strangers. It is sensitive to its family's moods.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour of daily activity. Herding, agility, obedience, hiking and scent work suit it well.
Grooming
The short coat is easy: weekly brushing, with more during the seasonal shed.
Training
Learns quickly and enjoys working with its owner. Consistent, positive training and early socialisation build a steady adult.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and ectopic ureters are known in the breed. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow and eye results and DNA tests.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
DNA tests
- PRA (prcd)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Entlebucher comes from the Entlebuch valley in the canton of Lucerne, where it drove cattle between farms and markets. It was first described as a separate breed in the late 19th century, and a breed club was founded in 1926.
It is lively, loyal and adaptable, often devoted to its family and reserved with strangers. It is athletic for its size and needs daily exercise and training. It makes a good companion for an active household and can live in smaller homes if its needs for activity and mental challenge are met.
Did you know?
It is the smallest of the four Swiss Sennenhund breeds.