About Entlebuchers –
Is this the breed for you?
What is it like to live with an Entlebucher? especially a puppy? Owners will say that Entlebuchers are a lot of dog in a compact package.
Enthusiasm! The bark! The leap,
Loyalty & Protection, Constant Companion
Active & High Energy, Herding Drive, Intelligence
Low grooming requirements, Love to eat, Medium sized
These are enthusiastic dogs. They are generally happy but their ‘bull in a china shop’ demeanor is almost extreme. If you have white carpets or couches, they may not be for you. If someone approaches your home, your Entlebucher will sound the alarm – a loud, insistent and very deep bark reminiscent of a giant attack dog. If they can’t be seen, they will protect your house and your vehicle.
As the guest approaches, they will keep up the barking at the door (unless you can train them to do something else). When the door opens and the guests enter, your Entlebucher will be overwhelmed with welcoming them. The barking may stop but the jumping up will start. They have a very impressive vertical jump which is called the “Entlebucher Leap”. If there are any small children or fragile individuals, you will need to be careful to keep your dog away from the entry for safety.
On the other hand, if the dog grows up with a child, they will be so protective and gentle around that child, (and often with children in general). If they live with Granny and her walker, they will be very careful to keep a safe distance and show respect in their approach. Entlebuchers are very sensitive, if they have learned to be careful at home. They will notice when you are sick or injured and do their best to comfort you.
Entlebuchers were developed to herd cattle and they are good at it. Fearless of the cow or bull no matter the bovine attitude. They’ll get that herd moving! We’ve found it more difficult to train a turn, but they will naturally push the herd along an established path. And it will be their best day ever! Just keep an eye on young children as they may also become a great ‘herd’ unless the dog is taught otherwise.
You may think your family will share in the dog’s care but the Entle will pick one of you and he will be velcroed to your side for life. The bathroom – he needs to be sure you are ok in there! Other people or dogs to play with – as long as you are close by. When you are gone, he may well plant himself by the window and just wait until his human returns. The others can feed him and let him outside but he may not want to go walking with them. He’ll just sit and wait for you. Don’t be gone too long!
If you’ve been away from the house for 10 minutes or several hours, you will be welcomed like a long lost and very beloved member of their clan. They will be so delighted to see you that they have a hard time controlling their body. As you pet their head or neck their back end wriggles until they fall down. If you scratch that back near the tail, they may fall to the ground for a belly rub. They love your affection in any form!
Training and socialization in the puppy period is critical. They must learn proper behaviour for greeting at the door. They must be taught when barking is allowed and when they need to be quiet. They need to learn that jumping is not appreciated by many. These are all very natural behaviours that require consistent training to contain.
Some Entlebuchers have a second ‘voice’ where they make a whining noise that sounds a lot like garbled speech. It may seem cute – but can be equally difficult to manage. They are capable of a wide range of vocalizations.
Entles are compared to Quarter Horses – neither are built for the marathon race. But over a short distance, they can make speed and get the job done. Once they have it handled, they’ll lie down for a brief rest before looking for the next challenge. With puppies, you may have to actively stop the play to give them rest. Teach the command “All Done”, meaning the ball is going away, it’s time to lie down quietly. But don’t be fooled – they’ll be ready for another game in just a few minutes!
Entlebuchers bond so tightly to their human that they are personally remembered forever. Each has their own personality but loyalty and devotion are a given. And they are so intelligent. They learn quickly and are easy to train. They love to work, so if you have treats and they understand the task, they will be underway.
But entlebuchers are not a great fit for every family. If you are gone to work or school for most of the day, they will become anxious or depressed. They want to be with you! A doggy daycare is helpful but they would prefer their selected human. If you live in a small space – you will have to include a number of walks everyday and find somewhere for off-leash time. A romp through the woods is a perfect activity for an Entlebucher. If you have close neighbours, they may not like the bark – they don’t bark incessantly without a reason, but they are loud and can be scary.
Before you put your name down for a puppy, we strongly advise that you meet a few dogs with their families. We can help you find an Entlebucher that’s not too far away – we are all connected through the breed club.
