Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Breed Profile
The Entlebucher Sennenhund or Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a medium-sized herding dog, it is the smallest in size of the four regional breeds that make up the Sennenhund dog type. The name Sennenhund refers to people called Senn, herders in the Swiss Alps. Entlebuch is a region in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. The breed is also known in English as Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Entlebucher Cattle Dog, and similar combinations.
Temperament
As with all medium/large active working dogs, this breed should be well socialized early in life with other dogs and people, and receive its daily fix of exercise. The temperament of individual dogs may vary. On average, the breed is known to have a good and loyal disposition towards folks in his surroundings, and slightly suspicious of strangers.
Color & Coat
The Entlebucher sports a short, hard and shiny coat, bright black with symmetrical markings of pure white on blaze, muzzle, chest, and has feet shades ranging from rich fawn to mahogany, which are present on the eyebrows and between the black and white markings.
Health
Inbreeding due to the small foundation stock numbers has led to Entlebuchers suffering from congenital defects, the most common of which is hip dysplasia. Other ailments which affects the breed is hemolytic anemia and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).