Entlebucher Sennenhunds, or Entlebuchers for short, are a working breed originating from the Entlebuch region of Switzerland. These dogs were initially bred to work as general farm dogs and cattle drovers. They are the smallest and most rare of the Swiss Mountain breeds.
Physical Appearance:
The breed has a compact build with powerful legs that allow it to run quickly over rugged terrain. Adult males stand at 16-21 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 45-65 pounds; females range from 16-20 inches in height and weigh between 35-50 pounds. Their thick coats come in black with symmetrical white markings on their chest, paws, and tail tip that can make them look like they’re wearing little boots!
Temperament:
Entlebuchers have strong personalities and love being around people! They are loyal, affectionate, intelligent dogs who bond tightly with their families. As natural herding animals they love structure but also need early socialization to help prevent shyness or aggression towards strangers or other pets in the home.
Health Problems:
Like all breeds there are some health issues associated with this breed such as hip dysplasia (a common issue among larger dog breeds). Typical lifespan is about 11 years old which can be shorter than many other medium-sized dog breeds.The recommended preventative measures include regular exercise routineand well-balanced diet,to maintain good health.
Exercise:
This is a high-energy dog breed requiring daily physical activity including long walks/hikes,tug-of-war games etc.As active dogs they enjoy sports such as obedience training, tracking exercises anf agility courses
Special Grooming Needs:
Though Entelbucher’s coat isn’t prone to matting because hair can become tangled.If possible,dog brushing should occur weekly.Some additional groomings could include bathing when needed,cleaning ears regularly,and trimming nails every month or so
Training:
These intelligent dogs love to please their owners, making training with positive reinforcement and treats very effective. They require early socialization for best results.The breed tends to respond well to basic obedience commands such as sit, stay etc.
Compatibility with children/pets:
Entelbuchers can be great companions for children! However,due to its herding background,it may tend to herd the young family members inadvertently.One should supervise the interaction between dog and child .It’s important that we properly introduce them at an early stage of life.They are not suitable housemates for other small animals or pets like rabbits,hedgehogs or cats.
Personality quirks:
One interesting personality trait of this breed is their tendency towards “selective hearing”. As natural problem-solvers Entlebuchers sometimes get bored repeating tasks they perceive as easy–during which time ignoring the owner may occur.Doing something new activity will help provide additional stimulation!
Famous examples:
The most famous Entlebucher Sennenhund was Bliss who was a canine star in Hollywood and acted in movies including ‘My Dog Skip’ (2000) starring Kevin Bacon.Apart from acting he was also very popular thanks to his adorable Instagram page where people could see snippets of Bliss’s adventures.