About Entlebuchers
Entlebuchers are the smallest of the four, tri-colour, Swiss dog breeds. The others are the Greater Swiss, the Bernese and the Appenzeller. You may notice that their names refer to their location of origin in Switzerland – Berners from the town and canton of Berne, Appenzellers from the town of Appenzeller and Entlebuchers from the village of Entlebuch. All of these locations are generally in the Lucerne or Berne cantons, in the Alpine valleys. Each breed was developed in their local area, suited to the work required of a farm dog.
Greater Swiss – 28.5″, short, dense coat, powerful, draft work
Bernese – 27.5″ at withers, long hair, adapted to harsh winter weather
Appenzeller – 22″, short, tight coat, high set tail that curls tightly over back
Entlebucher – 20″, short, double coat, muscular, active, cattle driving work
Credit: https://www.bernies.com/university/dig-deeper/how-do-the-four-sennenhunde-breeds-compare/
History
Entlebuchers were originally identified in early 1900 and became an established breed under the Swiss Kennel Club (SSV) in 1826. That makes them 100 years old, this year and there was quite a celebration in Entlebuch this past summer.
The town of Entlebuch lies in the Entlebuch valley, between high alps. In this area, the herder would take the cattle herd up to the high alpine pastures for summer grazing. His trusty dog, the Entlebucher, would go along, helping to herd the cattle and keep them on the steep, narrow alpine paths. Once up high, they would settle in the herder’s shack and keep the herd nearby. Each day, the cows would be milked and the milk made into cheese – delicious Swiss cheese. As the fall arrived, the herder, his dog and the herd of cattle would return down to the village with the summer’s cheese in big waxed, rounds. This is a very traditional event in Switzerland called the Désalpe – returning to the village from the high alps.
https://nemda.org/Entlebucher-Questions
https://showsightmagazine.com/entlebucher-mountain-dog/
https://www.ckc.ca/en/Choosing-a-Dog/Choosing-a-Breed/Working-Dogs/Entlebucher-Mountain-Dog
