Entlebucher deal blackguard are energetic workers and enthusiastic companions . The breed , while rare in the U.S. , is a great conniption for fighting pet parents who require a smart dog that love to be on the go .

If the term " mountain weenie " conjures up figure of large , long - hairy , slobbery breeds , the Entlebucher ( pronounced " Ent - lee - snort - ker " or " Entel - boo - ker " ) tidy sum wienerwurst will convert your mind . These aremedium - sized dogsthat stomach just 16–21 inches tall , weigh between 40–65 pound , and haveshort , smooth coats .

Entlebucher mountain dogs are still used as working wienerwurst in Switzerland and thrive in home where there are job to do , so Entle possessor should expect to consecrate significant amount of money of time to exercise and companionship . But Entles can be backbreaking to find;the dogs are rareand breeder are few and far between , order Rebecca Hahn , DVM , and breeder of star Entles atBrunswick Entlebuchers .

Entlebucher Mountain Dog sitting on rocks in front of golden flowers.

Rebecca Hahn

Appearance

Entlebucher mountain dogs are a act breed with compact , muscular frame of reference . The males abide 17–21 inches tall , while females put up 16–20 inches . Their weight range from 40–65 pounds .

The heel are known for their short and smooth three-fold coating . Their undercoat is dense and topped withshiny mordant furthat has tan and white accents . Entlebucher mount detent typically have symmetrical scoring ( making them oh - so - beautiful ) , with tan marker on their eyes , cheeks , gun muzzle , on either side of the chest , under the tail , and on their legs ; white markings include a small glare on their gun muzzle .

The Entlebucher has a extensive , flat head framed by floppy , triangular pinna . Their face are always alert and friendly , looking up at their proprietor as if to say , " What are we doing today ? "

two Entlebucher mountain dogs standing together

vivienstock / Adobe Stock

Temperament

When it comes to the typical Entlebucher mountain dog disposition , their moniker " the laughing dog " tell you everything you require to know .

Hahn enunciate Entles are corking companions that form near bonds with their owner . They ’re best described as " biddable " and eager to be prepare . The breed has a high drive to work , especially if it means copious one - on - one prison term with their pet parent . This make them sensation athletes in dog sports like freestyle , exchange , andobedience .

" These are the perfect performance hotdog , " Hahn says .

Entlebucher mountain dog running in water

otsphoto / Adobe Stock

The acute dog - owner bond that Entles desire is gravid for those eager to spend a lot of meter with their dogs . But , Hahn admits , it also means Entlebucher mountain dogs are not the correct fit for everyone .

" They call for a plenty of attending , " she say . " The mental input with these dogs is just as crucial as getting utilisation … just [ play fetch ] is not enough . They need to be challenged with other things to do , and I cerebrate they suffer without it . "

Outside of their family , these dogs can also be mistrustful of strangers at first , so Entlebucher mountain Canis familiaris puppiesneed former socializationwhen young .

Entlebucher Mountain Dog standing in field

Alexander / Adobe Stock

" I ’ve had some that are passing favorable , some are super standoffish , and some are somewhere in the eye , " Hahn says . " The breed as a whole is not going to be like aGolden [ retriever]that will make friends with everybody . "

Living Needs

The best spot for an Entlebucher mountain weenie ? In the center of the military action . A fenced yardis nice , but do n’t expect Entles to entertain themselves ; Hahn mark that " they basically want to be with you all the time . "

These dogs do it to be on the go — tramp , run , swimming , see Modern legerdemain , or rack up medals in militant cad sport . In fact , Hahn first became concerned in the stock because she wanted a running married person ; " They need to be in a passably busy home , " she aver .

The glad Entlebucher mountain dog get along well with other pup , but because he demandssomuch aid , he might be too much for busy families — especially those with small kiddos to give care for . Entles are uncoerced to snuggle on the couch , but only after they are sufficiently stock from the day ’s natural process .

With the right amount of physical and mental action , Entlebucher muckle dogscan be great in an apartment — as long as it ’s not in a seat like Miami or Phoenix . Hahn notes that these are mountain dogs whoprefer colder clime , adding , " [ They ’re ] a black , heavyset cad ; they do n’t do hot . "

Care

We ’ll say it again : Exercise and mental arousal are essential for Entlebucher mountain hot dog to prosper . Expect to render atleastan hour of acute bodily process that challenges their bodies and their minds — think challenging hike , farsighted streamlet , andpuzzle toyson a daily basis .

Trainingalso count as a physical body of exercise and genial stimulation . Entles areintelligent dogsthat love to find out newfangled things , whether it’snavigating a newfangled agility courseor master the stair to a freestyle dance workaday — and do n’t forget toreward them with treatsfor their hard piece of work !

But there is one thing about Entlebucher mountain dogs that ’s low sustenance : their grooming procedure . The breed does shedand willneed regular brushingbut , overall , their short coat are a cinch to maintain . unremarkable veterinary care , admit monthly flea , tick , and heartworm preventives , plusdental careandnail trimming , will help oneself keep your Entlebucher mountain dog looking ( and feeling ! ) great .

Health

The Entlebucher mountain dog has a life-time of 11–13 years . Hahn yell the breed " fairly level-headed dogs , " but notes that there are some wellness circumstance that sham the frank .

While it tend to be more vulgar insmaller breeds , Entlebucher mountain dogs can have aluxating patella . It ’s a condition that make the patella ( kneepan ) to move out of its normal location ( luxate ) and it get it awful for Entles to put weight on the affected leg . In grievous cause , it can lead to inveterate breakdown and increase the risk of injuries that require surgery to objurgate .

Hip dysplasiais common in many stock , including Entlebucher batch dogs , and is a termination of a MI - scene between the rose hip joint and socket . Instead of smooth movements , the joints grind , causing pain . There is no cure for hip joint dysplasia , but it can be plow with a combining of strong-arm therapy and anti - inflammatory medications .

Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome(EUS ) is a transmissible shape that causes the ureter ( the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder ) to uprise in the wrong home . feign dogs experience symptom like bladder contagion and chronic urine dribbles or escape . Mild cases can be treated with medication ; operation to remove the affected kidney may be necessary to address more serious cases of UES . The disease may also top to renal failure and expiry . It affects less than 3 per centum of dogs , Hahn say .

History

There are four dog breeds bred to work on farms in the alpine regions of Switzerland : theBernese mountain dog , theGreater Swiss hatful dog , the Appenzeller sennenhund , and the Entlebucher pot dog . The Entlebucher is the small and dissolute of them all .

grant to theNational Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association ( NEMDA ) , the puppy ' character ramble from driving herds across raft pasture and guard cows to blackleg , hunting , and pull carts . The quick tri - colored dogs earned their name for the realm of Entlebuch , Switzerland , where the breed originated . The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2011 .

Fun Facts