Origin
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog hails from Switzerland being the smallest of all the Swiss mountain breeds. They are handsome dogs with their striking tricolour coats and their gentle natures. Although not as popular as the Bernese Mountain Dog, they are prized in their native Switzerland for being an excellent choice as both a companion dog and family pet. With this said, the Entlebucher is gaining popularity here in the UK, although anyone wishing to share their home with one of these handsome dogs would need to register their interest with a breed and be put on a waiting list because not many puppies are bred every year.
Swiss mountain dogs are thought to be the descendants of an ancient breed known as Molossers which the Romans took with them when they crossed the Alps into Switzerland more than 2000 years ago. In 1913 Entlebuchers with bobtails appeared on the scene, but despite having been accepted into the Swiss stud book, the breed began to decrease in numbers and with the advent of World War I, their numbers declined so low, these handsome dogs virtually vanished altogether. As such a dedicated Entlebucher club was set up with an end goal being to save the breed from extinction. During 1927 and 1927, only 16 dogs were around. Over the following years and with a lot of patience and careful, selective breeding, their numbers were slowly restored although even today, Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are not easily found here in the UK.
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is named after the region of Switzerland where they were first bred to work. They are the smallest of all the Swiss mountain dog breeds although like their larger cousins, they are tricoloured. The breed was accepted as being unique in 1923 when four Entlebuchers were shown at the Swiss Langenttal dog show. Four years later, a breed standard was established which has not been altered that much over the ensuing years.
Because there are not that many breeders in the UK, anyone wishing to share their home with an Entlebucher Mountain Dog would need to register their interest with a breeder and be put on a waiting list. However, because these lovely dogs boast such charming natures, the wait is very worthwhile.
