Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 11-15 years
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a very hardy breed, although there are a few health problems they may experience.

Hip dysplasia can affect some Entlebucher Mountain Dogs. Hip dysplasia is when the thighbone cannot fit properly into the malformed hip joint, resulting in discomfort, pain, limping, and, in severe cases, arthritis or even lameness. Dogs with this condition should not be bred, so ensure your puppy’s parents have no history of hip dysplasia. Although hip dysplasia is hereditary, it can be triggered by rapid weight gain or injury, likely caused by jumping or falling.

Hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the body attacks its own red blood cells, occasionally occurs in Entlebucher Mountain Dogs. Severe anemia occurs as a result of the reduced number of circulating red blood cells in the body. Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, dark urine, a jaundiced appearance, rapid breathing, pale gums, and potentially fainting. A blood transfusion will be needed in severe cases.

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs may also experience certain eye conditions, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and cataracts. PRA is when the retina degenerates, ultimately resulting in failed daytime vision. Because vision loss occurs gradually, affected dogs can adjust to the condition. Most dogs with PRA still manage to live happy lives.

On average, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog has a healthy lifespan of 11-15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is enthusiastic, loyal, and intelligent. He is very confident and has a bit of an independent streak. He is a working dog who loves having tasks to complete and needs daily physical and mental stimulation.

This breed is not recommended for apartments, mostly because they have very high exercise requirements. They need at least an hour of vigorous exercise daily, although quite a bit more would be preferable. Ideally, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog would like to be used as a herding dog. If this is not possible, he does need opportunities to compete in sports like Frisbee or agility. They make excellent companions for walking or jogging, and they like to have large, open spaces in which they can stretch their legs and run around. The Entlebucher Mountain Dog can become destructive if he is bored or not adequately exercised. This breed thrives in a home where they can receive plenty of exercise and plenty of attention. They tend to form extremely strong bonds with their families and like as much companionship as possible.

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog adores children, but he is very strong, does tend to play rough, and may attempt to herd them. He must be trained to be gentle, and it may be best not to bring him into a home with very young children. If there are young children in your household, you must be prepared to extensively train and supervise your dog. The Entlebucher Mountain Dog also tends to jump on people. He does not mean this to be aggressive and is simply enthusiastically seeking love and attention, but this can be off-putting for some people. While some Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are energetic and friendly towards strangers, others tend to be aloof. Socialization is required to ensure this breed knows how to behave properly around unfamiliar people and dogs. In general, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog does well with other dogs when trained properly. Most would prefer to live in at least a two-dog household. When raised with other animals, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog is likely to love and even be protective of them. However, he will be aggressive towards unfamiliar small animals, and he has a tendency to herd small animals as well.

This breed has an extremely deep bark, although most will bark only when needed. Some Entlebucher Mountain Dogs bark when working and will bark at new sights. In this case, early training is necessary to teach your dog when it is inappropriate to be noisy. They make great watch dogs because they are protective and territorial. Although the Entlebucher Mountain Dog is extremely loyal and loving to his family, he is not a typical lap dog who wants to be smothered with affection. At the same time, he can suffer severe separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. This is another reason it is recommended that the Entlebucher Mountain Dog live in a home with a companion dog.

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is smart and highly trainable. However, they will test your leadership. It is important for you to be firm, fair, and consistent with your rules and expectations. Positive reinforcement is best for this breed because they are tough and have extremely high tolerance for physical pain. Use treats, verbal praise, and playtime to motivate your Entlebucher Mountain Dog. If you are a calm, consistent, and fair leader, this breed should respond well to training and learn quickly.

Grooming

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog has a thick, dense coat that is easy-care. Weekly brushing with a curry brush will help keep shedding to a minimum. This breed experiences a heavier shed in the spring, so you may have to brush him more frequently until he has fully shed his winter coat. Bathe as needed.

Trim nails as needed, which will usually mean monthly trimming. Check ears weekly for signs of infection like redness, tenderness, or odor. If you notice excessive buildup of wax, dirt, or debris, wipe his ears with a veterinarian recommended ear cleanser. Brush teeth frequently to prevent bad breath and maintain healthy gums.

Introduce the Entlebucher Mountain Dog to its grooming regimen at a young age to avoid resistance from the surprisingly strong adults of this breed.

Diet

On average, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog should consume 1.5-2.5 cups of a premium quality, dry dog food each day. Some may also enjoy fruits, vegetables, or eggs, although this should be a small supplement to his regular diet. Do not overfeed people food to your dog.

Ensure that clean, fresh drinking water is available at all times.
 

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Cost

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is an exceedingly rare breed, so expect to pay over $1,000 for a new puppy.

If you find an Entlebucher Mountain Dog to adopt, adoption fees may cost up to $175.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Entlebucher Mountain Dog ranks a 3. They are healthy, have low-maintenance grooming needs, and tend to get along well with most people and animals (although they will chase unfamiliar small animals). However, they must be vigorously exercised for a minimum of one hour daily, they require a lot of attention, and they are incredibly strong and rambunctious. Although they are intelligent and trainable, they are likely to test your leadership initially, and this breed may be difficult to find.

 

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