Entlebucher

Guardian Dog Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

The Entlebucher (Entlebuch Mountain Dog/Entlebucher Cattle Dog) is the smallest of the four Swiss Sennenhund breeds. The crossing of the Roman Mastiffs with the local Swiss working dogs during the time of the Roman invasion of Europe resulted in the Sennenhunds: the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller, Entlebucher and Bernese Mountain Dog. It is generally accepted that the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was the first of these breeds, and the other three developed from it. The Entlebucher was primarily used by Alpine herdsmen to drive cattle.

The Entlebucher was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1993.

General Appearance

The Entlebucher is a medium-sized, compactly built dog of slightly elongated shape. The ratio of height, measured at the withers, to length of body is 8:10. The Entlebucher strongly muscled, agile, balanced, with ample bone, and is always tri-colored with a black ground coat and rich rust/tan and clear white markings.

Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.

Characteristics

The Entlebucher is harmoniously built and very agile; with an alert, attentive and friendly expression, and pleasant personality. They are excellent herding and watch dogs. Thorough socialization is required through puppyhood. They may be reserved with strangers, but do not exhibit shyness.

Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness.

Head and Skull

The clean, slightly wedge-shaped head is in proportion to the body. The planes of the skull and muzzle are more or less parallel. The ratio of the length of muzzle to length of skull is 9:10.

The skull is flat, and broadest between the set-on of the ears. The stop is well defined, but not exaggerated. The muzzle is straight, strong, and well formed. There is a clear division of the forehead and cheeks into the muzzle. The lips are clean, close-fitting, and have black pigmentation. It is preferred that the whiskers are to be left natural, and not trimmed.

Faults: Round skull. Bulging forehead. Long, thin, or curved muzzle.

TEETH

A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite, which is preferred. An even bite is tolerated.

Faults: Level bite. Incomplete dentition.
Disqualifications: Overshot. Undershot. Wry mouth.

EYES

The rather small, dark brown to hazel eyes have a lively expression. Eye rims are black.

Serious Fault: Yellow hawk eyes.
Disqualification: Blue eyes. Entropianism. Ectropianisnm.

Nose

The nose pigment is always black.

Ears

The medium size, triangular-shaped ears are rounded at the tips. They are set on high and hang down flat and close to the head, forming a nearly level plane with the topskull. They are carried slightly raised when the dog is alert, which is typical of all pasture dogs.

Faults: Short, pointed and/or badly carried ears.

Neck

The medium length, strong, smooth neck is well set into the shoulders.

Forequarters

The forequarters are strongly-muscled, but not too heavy. The long, well-muscled shoulders are well laid back. They are never loose.

FORELEGS

The forelegs are short, straight, strong, and parallel. They are placed well under the body Dewclaws may be removed from the forelegs, but it is not mandatory. The short pasterns are slightly angulated.

Body

The body is rather long, in a ratio of 10 to 8; the length, from the point of the shoulder to the point of the rump, is greater than the height, from the ground to the withers.

The sturdy topline is level, with a slight slope over the relatively long croup. The chest is broad, deep and capacious, reaching to the elbows, with well sprung ribs. The loin is strong and flexible.

There is a slight tuck-up.

Hindquarters

HIND LEGS

The hind legs are straight and strong. The upper thigh is fairly long, broad and strong. The clean lower thigh is approximately equal in length to the upper thigh. The stifles are well-angulated. The strong hocks are well let down, and turn neither in nor out. The rear pasterns are straight when viewed from behind. Dewclaws may be removed from the hind legs, but it is not mandatory.

Feet

The feet point straight forward; are slightly round and compact. The toes are arched; and the nails are strong and can be any combination of black or white. The pads are firm and strong.

Fault: Splay feet.

Tail

The Entlebucher is born with anything from a natural length to a natural bob tail, both of which are acceptable.

The natural tail set-on is a continuation of the gently-sloping croup. In motion, it may be elevated, but is never carried over the back.

Coat

The breed is double-coated. The short, hard, close fitting outer coat has a bright, natural sheen. A wavy or soft outer coat is tolerated, but not preferred. The undercoat is dense, and of varying color.

Faults: Too long or too soft hair.
Disqualification: Absence of undercoat.

Color

The Entlebucher is tri-colored, with a jet black ground color and rich rust/tan and clear white markings. Symmetry of markings is desired.

The rust/tan markings appear over each eye, on the cheeks (reaching to at least the corner of the mouth), muzzle, on each side of the chest, on all four legs and under the tail. Small rust/tan ovals on the cheeks are desired. Wherever the rust/tan markings appear, they are invariably located between the black and white areas.

White markings include: a small, distinct blaze that runs from the top of the head over the bridge of the nose, and can wholly or partially cover the muzzle; and white from the chin to the chest without interruption. The white marking on the chest typically forms an inverted cross, which is desirable. In a full-length tail, the tip is usually white. White on the feet is desired, but must not extend higher than the pasterns.

The following are undesirable but tolerated: a small white patch of no more than two inches on the nape of the neck; high white markings on the legs.

Color and markings are not to take precedence over overall soundness, balance and temperament.

Disqualification: Albinism.

Height and Weight

Height, measured at the withers, ranges from 17 to 21 inches for males, and from 16 to 20 inches for bitches. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size.

Gait

The ideal gait is free and ground-covering, with fluid movement. There is good reach in the forequarters. There is a powerful drive from the hindquarters. As speed increases, the dog will tend to single-track. A level back is maintained during movement.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Any color other than black.
Albinism.
Blue eyes.
Entropianism.
Ectropianisnm.
Absence of undercoat.
Overshot.
Undershot.
Wry mouth.

The docking of tails and cropping of ears in America is legal and remains a personal choice. However, as an international registry, the United Kennel Club is aware that the practices of cropping and docking have been forbidden in some countries. In light of these developments, the United Kennel Club feels that no dog in any UKC event, including conformation, shall be penalized for a full tail or natural ears.