Entlebucher Mountain Dog History

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog, also known as the Entlebucher Sennenhund or Entlebucher Cattle Dog, is the smallest of the four Swiss Mountain Dogs including the Appenzeller, the Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. The Swiss Mountain dogs are descended from Molossus type dogs brought by the Romans as they passed through Helvetia over two thousand years ago. The smaller of the Swiss Mountain dogs, the Entlebucher and Appenzeller were used as cattle herding dogs bringing the dairy cows in from mountain pastures. The larger breeds were used as flock guardians and cart-pullers to transport milk and cheese to market.

Originating from Entlebuch, a valley in the district of the Cantons Lucerne and Berne, the first description under the name "Entlebucherhund" dates from the year 1889. For a considerable time after that date, no difference was made between Appenzell and Entlebuch Cattle Dogs. In the year 1913, four examples of this small herding dog with congenital bobtail were exhibited at a dog show in Langentahal and introduced by Professor Albert Heim, the great patron of the Swiss Mountain and Cattle dog breeds. On account of the judges' reports, they were entered into the Swiss Canine Stud Book (SHSB as the fourth Mountain and Cattle dog breed). However, the first Standard was only completed in 1927. After August 28th, 1926, the date of the foundation of the Swiss Club of Entlebuch Cattle Dogs initiated by Dr. B. Kobler, this breed was promoted and continued as pure bred. As the small number of entries into the Swiss Stud Book shows, the breed developed only slowly. The Entlebuch Cattle Dog received renewed impetus when, apart from his hereditary qualities as a lively, tireless, driving dog, his outstanding suitability as a utility, as well as a companion, dog was proved. Today, still on a modest scale, this attractive tricolored dog has found admirer's and enjoys increased popularity as a family dog.

Due to crossings with the German Shepherd and other newly imported purebreds, the Sennenhund were nearly lost by the early 1900s. The dedicated efforts of Professor Albert Heim and others, as well as careful monitoring by present day breed clubs in Switzerland and Germany, have managed to preserve the Entlebucher breed. The numbers are still relatively few and they are often mistaken for a mixed breed dog.

By Kathleen Phelps; used with permission.