The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage.
The Entlebucher is a compact, strongly muscled, elongated drover with ample bone. He has a short, hard and shiny coat, bright black with symmetrical markings of pure white on blaze, muzzle, chest, and feet; shades of rich fawn to mahogany are present on the eyebrows and between the black and white markings.
In harmonious proportion to the body, slightly wedged-shaped; clean. Head planes of muzzle and skull more or less parallel. Expression: Alert, attentive, and friendly. Eyes: Must be brown, darker eye preferred. Slightly small, almond shaped, with well fitted, black pigmented rims. Disqualifying fault: Blue eyes or yellow hawk eyes. Ears: Not too big, set on high and wide. When alert, are slightly raised at set-on, turned forward; in repose lay flat and close to head and form a nearly level plane with topskull. Firm, well developed ear-cartilage. Flaps pendulous, triangular, rounded at tips. Nose: Black Lips: Close fitting to jaw, with complete black pigmentation.
Pleasing smooth merge of neck into topline. Neck: Medium length, strong and clean, merging smoothly with the body. Top line: Sturdy and level. Body: Strong, slightly elongated, length to be in rib cage and not in loin; length to height ratio 10 to 8 measured from point of shoulder to point of rump and ground to withers. Chest: Capacious, broad, deep, and reaching to the elbows; well sprung ribs. Underline: Slightly tucked up. Back: Straight, firm, broad. Loins: Strong, flexible. Croup: Slightly sloping, relatively long.
Strongly muscled but not too heavy. Shoulders are laid back, flat lying, well muscled and never loose. Upper arm length equal or slightly shorter than shoulder blade. Angle of shoulder blade forming as nearly as possible a right angle. Elbows lying well onto the body, turning neither in nor out. Forelegs are short, sturdy, straight and parallel; neither too wide nor too close together. Seen from side placed well under the body
Double coat. Topcoat short, close fitting, harsh and shiny. Undercoat dense; of varying color. Wavy or soft coat tolerated but not preferred. Disqualifying fault: Single coat.
Well-muscled. Hind legs not too close together; from behind, straight and parallel. Upper thigh: Fairly long, broad and strong. Lower thigh: Approximately equal length to upper thigh; clean. Stifle: Well angulated. Hock joint: Strong; turns neither in nor out.
Entlebucher (ENT-leh-boo-cur) Mountain Dogs are muscular, long-backed cattle dogs standing from 16 to 21 inches at the shoulder. They have short, sturdy legs; a striking black, white, and tan coat; and an attentive, friendly face. Entles are famous for their agility, balance, and boundless enthusiasm.
Entles are vigilant protectors of their four- or two-legged “herds” and, when properly socialized, make durable and trustworthy playmates for older kids. Energetic Entles require lots of exercise, family time, and direction to reach their full potential. Inexperienced owners might be overwhelmed by this strong, self-confident, go-go herding dog eager for work.
Entlebuchers are fine dogs—clever, zesty, happy—but not for everyone.
Choosing which commercial food to give to your dog is a personal choice best made using recommendations from your vet or breeder. You should consider only a high-quality dog food formulated to your dog’s age and activity level. A working dog requires a different formula than a sedentary house pet, and a puppy requires different nutrition than a senior pet. This is a breed who loves to eat and thus can be prone to becoming overweight if you don’t monitor his food intake closely. If you choose to give treats during training, do so in moderation. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity in any breed.
The Entlebucher requires minimal grooming overall. With their dense, short, shiny double coat, they will need little more than a wipe-down with a damp towel between baths to stay in optimum appearance. The breed sheds quite a bit, so you may want to invest in a good stripping comb or a thick bristle brush to keep shedding to a minimum. Nails should be trimmed every month to keep them short and neat. Dental care should be started early and maintained on a regular basis throughout your dog’s life. Ears should be checked weekly. Cleaning out wax and debris can help avoid the ear infections that plague dogs with drop ears.
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a quick and tough dog with a high energy level. It will take at least an hour of exercise daily to keep him in good physical condition. Since a “tired dog is a good dog,” keeping the breed’s energy channeled through exercise will make training and simply living with him much easier. Entles love doing things with their owners so make excellent companions for runners, hikers, bikers, and other very active people.
Entles are smart, versatile workers who are very rewarding to train. Training with a positive approach will almost always yield quick and successful results. Early socialization is extremely important with this breed. They are very intelligent, so any training routine should include fun and variety to keep them from getting bored. They love having a job to do and are excellent candidates for obedience, tracking, agility, herding and almost any other canine sport.
Most Entlebuchers are healthy dogs, but there are a few disorders the breed can be prone to. One issue found in the breed is Entlebucher urinary syndrome, a condition involving the misplacement of the ureter. Other conditions that have occurred in the breed include hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and some eye disorders. Responsible breeders screen for genetic disease and select for health-cleared stock.
Read the Official Breed Club Health Statement.
Recommended Health Test from the National Breed Club:
The Entlebucher is a compact, strongly muscled, elongated drover with ample bone. He has a short, hard and shiny coat, bright black with symmetrical markings of pure white on blaze, muzzle, chest, and feet; shades of rich fawn to mahogany are present on the eyebrows and between the black and white markings.
In harmonious proportion to the body, slightly wedged-shaped; clean. Head planes of muzzle and skull more or less parallel. Expression: Alert, attentive, and friendly. Eyes: Must be brown, darker eye preferred. Slightly small, almond shaped, with well fitted, black pigmented rims. Disqualifying fault: Blue eyes or yellow hawk eyes. Ears: Not too big, set on high and wide. When alert, are slightly raised at set-on, turned forward; in repose lay flat and close to head and form a nearly level plane with topskull. Firm, well developed ear-cartilage. Flaps pendulous, triangular, rounded at tips. Nose: Black Lips: Close fitting to jaw, with complete black pigmentation.
Pleasing smooth merge of neck into topline. Neck: Medium length, strong and clean, merging smoothly with the body. Top line: Sturdy and level. Body: Strong, slightly elongated, length to be in rib cage and not in loin; length to height ratio 10 to 8 measured from point of shoulder to point of rump and ground to withers. Chest: Capacious, broad, deep, and reaching to the elbows; well sprung ribs. Underline: Slightly tucked up. Back: Straight, firm, broad. Loins: Strong, flexible. Croup: Slightly sloping, relatively long.
Strongly muscled but not too heavy. Shoulders are laid back, flat lying, well muscled and never loose. Upper arm length equal or slightly shorter than shoulder blade. Angle of shoulder blade forming as nearly as possible a right angle. Elbows lying well onto the body, turning neither in nor out. Forelegs are short, sturdy, straight and parallel; neither too wide nor too close together. Seen from side placed well under the body
Double coat. Topcoat short, close fitting, harsh and shiny. Undercoat dense; of varying color. Wavy or soft coat tolerated but not preferred. Disqualifying fault: Single coat.
Well-muscled. Hind legs not too close together; from behind, straight and parallel. Upper thigh: Fairly long, broad and strong. Lower thigh: Approximately equal length to upper thigh; clean. Stifle: Well angulated. Hock joint: Strong; turns neither in nor out.
| Description | Standard Colors | Registration Code |
| Black | Check Mark For Standard Color | 007 |
| Black White & Tan | Check Mark For Standard Color | 034 |
| Description | Standard Markings | Registration Code |
| Brown Markings | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 022 |
| White Markings | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 014 |
