Entlebucher Sennenhund - History
How did the dog get it's name?

Entlebuch Valley and *Alphutte
(*Barn to house cows, the senn, the senn's dog & to make cheese)

The Entlebucher Cattle Dog originated in the Entlebuch Valley, between the Cantons of Bern and Luzern in Switzerland. The senn was the professional cattle person who moved with the herd from the valleys to the mountains (depending on the season), milked the cows and made cheese from the milk in the alphuttes (alpine pasture buildings). The sennen (cattle herders/cheese makers) are ultimately responsible for the wonderful Swiss cheeses we like to eat today. Therefore, the Entlebucher Sennenhund was the dog that accompanied the person who herded the cows and made cheese. Maybe this is why dogs love cheese so much!

The first 'recorded' information about the smallest of the Swiss cattle dog breeds dates to 1889 in which the 'Entlibucherhund' was described. Four examples of the Entlebucher herding dog (with congenital bob tail) were exhibitied at a dog show in Langenthal in 1913 and the judges listed the dogs as the fourth Swiss Cattle Dog breed. Professor Albert Heim was one of the judges and he proved to be a great supporter of all the Swiss Cattle Dogs and promoted the breeds in their natural state. The Entlebucher sennenhund standard was completed in 1927 after the August 1926 initiation of the Swiss club of Entlebuch Cattle Dogs. Dr. B. Kobler started this club and promoted the Entlebucher as pure bred. Because of the small number of entries into the Swiss Stud Book the breed developed slowly. The Entlebucher was known as a lively, tireless driving dog that had outstanding suitability as a utility and companion dog.
The above information was published by the Natural History Museum, Berne, Switzerland, http://www.nmbe.ch/deutsch/531_5_5.html

The Entlebuch Valley is located between
Bern and Luzern.

The village of Entlebuch (size enlarged)
on the road map:

For the history of the Entlebucher Sennenhund, we wish to thank Kurt Sauter for his knowledge.