Entlebuchers stop growing by 12 months of age. They will continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they are about 18 to 24 months old. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will encourage healthy growth during their early development.

Yes, Entlebuchers are light to moderate shedders. Regular brushing will keep their coats looking smooth and minimize shedding.

Entlebuchers can be black or tricolored with a combination of black, white, and tan or black, white, and yellow coats. They may also have yellow, white, or brown markings.

Entlebuchers are medium-sized dogs weighing 40 to 66 pounds and standing 16.5 to 20.5 inches tall. Males tend to be slightly larger than females.

Entlebuchers live 11 to 13 years. Individual lifespans will vary based on genetics, overall health, diet, exercise, and quality of veterinary care.

Yes, Enthlebuchers make excellent family dogs. They are loyal, playful, and affectionate, often forming strong bonds with their family members. Their energetic nature makes them great companions for active families who can provide regular exercise and mental stimulation. 

Bear in mind, though, that this is not a breed for a casual, sedentary lifestyle. Enthlebuchers will not be happy without proper physical and mental stimulation. For an active and adventurous family, Enthlebuchers are enthusiastic, energetic, happy companions with relatively few health issues.

Yes, Entlebuchers are typically friendly, sociable dogs. They are affectionate with their families and can be welcoming to strangers, though they have a natural instinct to protect their pet parents.

Yes, Entlebuchers bark. Like most herding dogs, they are fond of using their voice to communicate but not to excess. As with any dog, they can be discouraged from barking with proper training and plenty of exercise.

Yes, Entlebuchers are good with cats who they consider part of their family and are tolerant of their feline roommates. However, this dog’s extreme herding instincts may find them trying to herd the cat, so introducing them to cats at a young age can help them learn to coexist peacefully.

Yes, Entlebuchers are smart. Their problem-solving capacities, versatility in numerous roles, and facility reading human cues and emotions are signs of their intelligence.

Yes, Entlebuchers are relatively easy to train. Given their keen intelligence and intense desire to please their pet parents, your Entlebucher should take to training well. However, keep in mind that training any dog takes substantial time and effort, regardless of breed.

Yes, Entlebuchers are good with other dogs, especially when properly socialized from a young age. Their friendliness helps them get along well with other pups, but their strong herding instincts might lead them to herd smaller or more passive dogs. Be super to supervise interactions between your Entlebucher and other pups.

Yes, Entlebuchers are great with children. They are energetic, loving, playful, and have the right kind of happy energy to be a child’s ideal playmate. They are, however, extremely strong for their size (they had to contend with cows for centuries, after all) and will need to be taught how to use their bodies gently around smaller children. They may also need to be discouraged from herding them. 

As with any breed, supervise interactions between your Entlebucher and children to keep everyone safe and happy. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child, as is teaching dogs how to interact gently with children.

Yes, the Entlebucher is a very sturdy and healthy breed overall.

No, Entlebuchers are not hypoallergenic. They have a medium-length double coat that sheds, which can produce dander and allergens. While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, some breeds are better for allergy sufferers. If you’re looking for a breed that may work well for allergies, consider those known to produce fewer allergens.

Entlebuchers need 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day. They are energetic and active dogs, so activities like walking, running, hiking, and playing fetch are great for them. Mental stimulation is also important, so give them training sessions, puzzle toys, or agility exercises to keep their minds engaged. Regular exercise is crucial to prevent boredom and related behavioral issues.

Like all dogs, Entlebuchers may be prone to some diseases, including:

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing an Entlebucher, have them checked out by a vet to see if they are prone to dysplasia.

• Progressive retinal atrophy: (PRA) is a group of genetic diseases that affect the retina. They are progressive degenerative diseases and will eventually cause blindness in both eyes. There is no effective treatment to stop PRA.

• Entlebucher urinary syndrome: A disorder in which the ureter (the tube that passes urine from the kidney to the bladder) does not connect to the bladder in its normal location. This disorder varies in severity, and in some cases, it does not cause any problems. However, other dogs may suffer from renal failure. The signs are subtle but include bed-wetting, frequent urination, and leaking urine.

• Others: Patellar luxation, also known as slipped kneecaps; torn ACL; and overheating are also common problems in this breed. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip and imaging tests for your dog.

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is called the “laughing dog” because of their lively, expressive eyes and spirits as high as the Alps. This nickname highlights the Entles’ cheerful personality and the way they seem to “smile” when they are happy or playful — which, with their joyful spirit, is much of the time.

In English, Entlebucher means “dog from Entlebuch.” The name refers to the region of Switzerland where the breed originated.

The Entlebucher is one of four recognized types of Swiss mountain dogs. The others are the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Appenzeller.

Entlebuchers are originally from the Entlebuch region in Switzerland. An excellent herder, this breed of Swiss mountain dog was used as an all-purpose farm dog for centuries. By the early 1900s, Entlebuchers (or Entles, for short) were nearly extinct due to breeding with German Shepherds and other imported breeds until a professor named Albert Heim revived the breed.

The most common breed that mixes with Englebuchers is the American Pit Bull Terrier. 

• Entlebucher Pit (Entlebucher + American Pit Bull Terrier)