Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Entlebucher Mountain Dogs

Breed 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.