About Entlebuchers
HISTORY
The Entlebucher is the smallest and rarest of the four Sennenhund
breeds. The other three breeds are the GreaterSwiss, the
Bernese and the Appenzeller. Sennenhund means ‘Dog of the
Alpine Herdsman’. This breed was used to help drive cattle to the
market. The larger breeds were used as flock guardians and cart-
pullers to transport milk and cheese to market.
The Entlebucher Sennenhund descended from the Roman
Molossus. This breed dates back to 1889 and is considered to be
native to the region of Entlebuch in the Canton of Lucerne in
Switzerland.
The dedicated efforts of Professor Albert Heim and others, as well
as careful monitoring by present day breed clubs in Switzerland and
Germany, have managed to preserve the Entlebucher breed. The
numbers are still relatively few and they are often mistaken for a mixed
breed dog.
The Entlebucher is the smallest and rarest of the four Sennenhund
breeds. The other three breeds are the GreaterSwiss, the
Bernese and the Appenzeller. Sennenhund means ‘Dog of the
Alpine Herdsman’. This breed was used to help drive cattle to the
market. The larger breeds were used as flock guardians and cart-
pullers to transport milk and cheese to market.
The Entlebucher Sennenhund descended from the Roman
Molossus. This breed dates back to 1889 and is considered to be
native to the region of Entlebuch in the Canton of Lucerne in
Switzerland.
The dedicated efforts of Professor Albert Heim and others, as well
as careful monitoring by present day breed clubs in Switzerland and
Germany, have managed to preserve the Entlebucher breed. The
numbers are still relatively few and they are often mistaken for a mixed
breed dog.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
APPEARANCE
Entlebuchers are very pleasing in appearance. They are of medium size, and
are slightly longer than they are tall. They are extremely muscular and very
powerful, considering their size and weight. The coat is very short and is
jet-black and shining with white on head, chest and paws. They have rust
markings over each eye, on the cheek, on the chest, on the legs and under the
tail. They have a dense undercoat (they do shed, but not excessively). They
carry their pendant ears forward when they are alert (which is most of the
time). Their strong yet graceful gait is a joy to watch. Most are born with
long tails, which are docked at birth or left long.
Size:
Males and Females16 to 20 inches
(at the withers).
Weight Range
45-65 lbs. (23-30 kg)
Life Expectancy
11-13 years
Appearance:
Medium-sized,heavy-boned, muscular body with compact motion.
Coat and Color:
Short, thick, hard, glossy coat. Tricolored black, white and rust with
symmetrical markings on the toes, chest and blaze; the rust always lies between
the black and white.
Head:
Flat skull with a straight, strong well-formed muzzle; small, dark brown eyes;
medium-sized,triangular-shaped, rounded ears, set high and hanging against
the cheeks.
Tail:
Natural bobtail at birth, otherwise docked. (Recent changes now allow for full
tail with white tip). New standards allow for long tail in which case tail has
white tip.
Uses:
Cattle driving, cart pulling, companion, Uncorrectable watchdog, Clean -
minimal grooming requirements, No hunting instinct, Not prone to wandering,
Intelligent, obedient and loyal.
Enjoys the company of people
Temperament - courageous, alert, cheerful
Entlebuchers are very pleasing in appearance. They are of medium size, and
are slightly longer than they are tall. They are extremely muscular and very
powerful, considering their size and weight. The coat is very short and is
jet-black and shining with white on head, chest and paws. They have rust
markings over each eye, on the cheek, on the chest, on the legs and under the
tail. They have a dense undercoat (they do shed, but not excessively). They
carry their pendant ears forward when they are alert (which is most of the
time). Their strong yet graceful gait is a joy to watch. Most are born with
long tails, which are docked at birth or left long.
Size:
Males and Females16 to 20 inches
(at the withers).
Weight Range
45-65 lbs. (23-30 kg)
Life Expectancy
11-13 years
Appearance:
Medium-sized,heavy-boned, muscular body with compact motion.
Coat and Color:
Short, thick, hard, glossy coat. Tricolored black, white and rust with
symmetrical markings on the toes, chest and blaze; the rust always lies between
the black and white.
Head:
Flat skull with a straight, strong well-formed muzzle; small, dark brown eyes;
medium-sized,triangular-shaped, rounded ears, set high and hanging against
the cheeks.
Tail:
Natural bobtail at birth, otherwise docked. (Recent changes now allow for full
tail with white tip). New standards allow for long tail in which case tail has
white tip.
Uses:
Cattle driving, cart pulling, companion, Uncorrectable watchdog, Clean -
minimal grooming requirements, No hunting instinct, Not prone to wandering,
Intelligent, obedient and loyal.
Enjoys the company of people
Temperament - courageous, alert, cheerful
