Entlebucher experiences?

[Knubbsy]

While DH loves Goldens, he is warming up to the idea of getting another herding dog when my Sheltie retires (because of her size and starting her late, she may top out somewhere in started, maybe make it to intermediate.) Our herding instructor suggested he would like Entlebucher Mountain Dogs, Golden like personality with the herding instinct.

I’ve known several Bernies but never an Entlebucher. Does anyone have experience around them? Train-ability, health (on paper they seem good), herding instinct?

[Foxtrot_s]

Two years ago I went town to Maifest at Leavenworth, Wa. If you are within travelling distance you should go - a fascinating get together of Swiss
mountain dogs, warm and friendly people, set in a ‘Bavarian’ town.
My friend who I went with has an Entlebucher, her second one.

There is the big parade, a nice dinner, a morning get together so dog owners can let their dogs run together, a bbq, and everyone stays in this big motel where their dogs can be penned up on grass while everyone sits around dog-yakking.

d

[Jim_R]

I have an 11 year old. I don’t know where to begin. For me I could not ask for a better dog. They do not wander, good watch dog. Not good around kids to much. My son was 5 when I got her and the reason they sold her to me was that DW is a vet and they figured we could deal with it. She did not really want to sell to anybody with kids under 10.
They need a job , could easily become OCD. My plan when I got her was to breed her. But after getting to know the breed it would be to much dog for most people.
I have been able to train her in all the important things but never to retrieve a ball, can’t give a paw, just gets excited and gives both and lays down and rolls over. But won’t cross the street till I say ok and pretty much listens perfect.
She is to the age I catch her sleeping but for the longest time she was always alert and watching me.
Pretty much a one person dog, when son or wife give her a command she looks at me to confirm she should do it. If I am not here she becomes the dog of who is there. House sitters love her and can’t believe how she listens perfect to them, but once I’m home she will just ignore them.
They are a pretty rare dog and I always laugh as to why as they are a lot of dog. I would not consider them an easy dog but if you are good with being the dominat leader and give them a job they are great.
I know years ago they had some genitic eye thing that caused them to go blind at an older age, mine came from a line that was tested and she has no problems. She is starting to maybe have cataract issue but besides that she has never needed any vet care. Lowest maintenance dog I have ever had, and I have had tons of dogs and lots of breeds over a lot of years.
Having a dog on the farm that NEVER wanders is priceless to me. I have never worried where she went because she never leaves.
When I picked her up at 8 weeks I forgot a leash, breeder said she won’t need one and she was right.
I never met anyone that has one so I can’t compare mine to others but from the little book the breeder wrote and gave me I think she is pretty typical.

[Foxtrot_s]

I think the staying with you is pretty standard - my friend’s dog is the same, she walks her off leash (actually she is not supposed to) but with this dog she can.
Not so much her JR. My friend’s dogs have not been too excitable, more on the mellow side, and she does not ask them for any tricks, just to be a biddable and constant companion, which she is.

Nice dog, and part of the three part Swiss family of dogs.

[Jim_R]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8572156]

Nice dog, and part of the three part Swiss family of dogs.[/QUOTE]
Don’t forget the Appenzellar.
Better known a Snappenzellar at vet school my wife informed me.

[pony_baloney]

A former coworker of mine had one. I don’t think she knew much about dogs because she fed it adult dog food when it was a puppy; it later fractured a leg or two. I’m assuming it lacked the nutrients for a developing puppy? So I’m sure it would have been a healthy dog if it weren’t for that. It did go blind later in life and a year or so later died overnight. Not sure if there was anything wrong with the dog, but as I said, the owner didn’t seem to know much.

[Knubbsy]

Thank you all for your input! It’ll be a couple of years before our current dog retires so hopefully we’ll run into a few at herding trials.

[kbrethauer]

I just found this post and wanted to add that they are fabulous dogs if you are up for the energetic challenge

We have 3 Entle’s, 2 females and a male. The females are full sisters that are a year apart and the male is from a different breeder in Slovakia. I LOVE these dogs. These dogs are smart, smart, smart… You should check out NEMDA our breed group and get in touch with a breeder near you to meet. Several of the people in our group use the dogs for herding, agility, flyball, etc. Our dogs mainly hike with us. We can take them on a 10 mile hike and they still have energy to burn. The oldest just had TPLO surgery and even though she is very high energy, was great during rehab. She LOVES her rehab exercises and I think would love agility. Like the others have said they are very loyal and loving to their people, but wary of strangers. Like any dog early socialization is key. Our alpha female has very strict rules for introduction, so we have to be careful with introductions to other people. Our male is the most un-Entle Entle you will ever meet. Super lazy and always sleeping, but ready to go when asked. He is definitely not the norm.

I really don’t think they have a Golden-like personality. No way are they laid back and relaxed like Golden’s. They have a pretty high drive and guarding instinct. They were bred to drive cattle long distances and guard the herd.

Here is NEMDA’s website http://nemda.org/