COUNTRY: Switzerland
WEIGHT: 55-66 pounds
HEIGHT: Under 20 inches
COAT: Short, smooth and dense
COLOR: Black and tan, with white at toes, tail tip, chest, and blaze. The tan always lies between the black and the white
OTHER NAMES: Entelbuch Mountain Dog, Entelbucher Sennenhund
Group:Mastiff
The smallest of the four Swiss Mountain dogs, the Entelbucher is smooth-coated and bobtailed. Sennenhund means dog of the Alpine herdsman. This breed was used by these herdsmen to drive cattle to market.
The smallest of the four Swiss Mountain dogs, the Entelbucher is smooth-coated and bobtailed. Sennenhund means dog of the Alpine herdsman. This breed was used by these herdsmen to drive cattle to market.
One owner states the breed is quiet and easygoing. "Barrie does not bark just to hear his echo." He loves height and climbs on top the woodpile, doghouse and grooming table, "perhaps looking for the Alps." This owner sings praises of her dog, uttering only one complaint. Barrie likes to jump up and hit them with his body, even in play, which probably goes back to the dogs' hurling themselves at the cattle.
The breed is conscious of boundaries and is territorial, protective but not aggressive. The dogs make good obedience workers since they love having a job to do. Entelbuchers are independent and self-confident, yet tuned in to their owners, as a Swiss owner demonstrates through the following statement: While her husband was in the hospital, her well-mannered four-year-old Entelbucher suddenly began crying, continuing for a half hour. Shortly thereafter, the family was notified of the master's death. The dog deteriorated and died four weeks later, seemingly of a broken heart.
Although the breed is exceptionally clean and requires little grooming, they enjoy it and demand their turn when others are groomed. All of the sennenhunds delight in the company of people and are friendly with other dogs. Entelbuchers are easy keepers and, in fact, tend to get a mite pudgy if given the opportunity.