Flat-Coated Retriever vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Flat-Coated Retriever vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonFlat-Coated Retriever is originated from United Kingdom but Entlebucher Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. Flat-Coated Retriever may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Flat-Coated Retriever may weigh 6 kg / 14 pounds more than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Flat-Coated Retriever may live 3 years less than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Flat-Coated Retriever may have less litter size than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Both Flat-Coated Retriever and Entlebucher Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

flat coated retriever - historyThe Flat-Coated Retriever traces its heritage to 19th century England. A popular gamekeepers’ dog, the actual descendants of the breed are not entirely known. Like so many well-established breeds, there are many lines of thought about the breed line. There is an unverified line of ancestry that includes the St. Johns Water Dog – an extinct breed from North America. Another story has Canadian sailors bringing their Newfoundlands to England and mixing them with Colliers and Setters. This story has more truth to it and it took 20 years to establish the final breed type.

The breed was originally a retriever with two purposes – to retrieve the hunters’ bounty on land and on water.

The Flat-Coated Retriever was then introduced to the United States as a gun dog. By 1873 it was a “stable type” and in 1915 the AKC recognized the breed. After this, their popularity grew quickly until the American public fell in love with the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. Then the Flat-Coated Retriever’s numbers and popularity fell. The irony was that both the Golden and the Labrador credited the Flat-Coated Retriever as an ancestor. The survival of the breed was questionable following World War Two. They were brought back by a specific breeding program in the 1960’s.

Breeders in the ‘60s made sure they bred for both show dogs and companion animals. The Flat-Coated Retriever survived and is less popular than other retrievers, but he has his fans. The breed is more popular in the United Kingdom than it is in the United States in part because of Best in Show wins at Crufts

entlebucher mountain dog - historyThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the smallest of the Swiss Mountain Dogs, but he is still a powerful dog used to herd cattle. The four breeds are the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller Mountain Dog and the Entlebucher. It was though that these dogs came to Switzerland with the Romans over 2 centuries ago. The Entlebucher was put to work guarding and herding sheep, pulling carts and flocking cattle. Toward the end of the 19th century the breed was on the edge of extinction because many were breeding them with German Shepherds. So, Franz Schertenleib, in 1889 brought all the existing Entlebuchers together and bred them. He is credited with keeping the breed alive.

It is believed that the breed comes originally from a valley in the District of Cantons Lucerne and Berne, called Entlebuch. They were considered the same breed as the Appenzell Cattle Dog until 1913 when they were classified as a Mountain Dog – the fourth breed of Mountain Dog. The AKC did not recognize the breed until 2011.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Switzerland
Height Male:
59 - 61 cm
23 - 25 inches
48 - 50 cm
18 - 20 inches
Height Female:
56 - 59 cm
22 - 24 inches
46 - 48 cm
18 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 36 kg
59 - 80 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
18 - 28 kg
39 - 62 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
11 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
6 - 12
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Flatcoat, flatt, Flattie Flatte (Sweden)
Entlebucher Mountain Dog Entlebucher Cattle Dog Entlebucher
Colors Available:
liver and yellow (blonde, black
tricolor
Coat:
double, glossy and smooth
thick double coat
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing
Affectionate, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Protective, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

flat coated retriever puppy - descriptionThe Flat-Coated Retriever has a straight and strong topline with unique head, strong jaws, a long muzzle and small ears. His eyes are dark brown almonds with a friendly and intelligent expression. He has an arched neck and a moderately long tail. The Flat-Coated Retriever is more of an athlete, lighter and certainly more elegant than any other type or breed of retriever.

tion

entlebucher mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a muscular, compact, and medium sized dog. Their heads are square, and the skull is flat. He has dark eyes that are alert and expressive in a friendly way. Their ears are triangular and hang on the side of his head. With compact feet, a muscular body and well angled hocks, he is a good looking dog and ready for his jobs.

His coat is striking, and it is familiar in its closeness to the other Mountain Dogs coats. Yet he has some distinctive differences that tell you this is not a Bernese or a Swiss, it is an Entlebucher.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

flat coated retriever dog - characteristicsThe Flat-Coated Retriever is great with children. Just be careful they don’t knock over small children in their enthusiasm.

Special talents

They are confident great family dogs. They are “thinking dogs” and need something to work for or they will work for themselves. They can be clowns.

Adaptability

They are adaptable although their size might preclude small locations without yards.

Learning ability

Smart, thinking all the time, they are very trainable. However, they are considered the “Peter Pan” of dogs – they never grow up.

entlebucher mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Entle is a happy, clever dog that needs a job. They are intelligent and physical. They love people and throw themselves at you when they see you. They are loving and loyal but again he has to have a job.

He makes a great watchdog, therapy dog or companion for your children. He only barks when he has to but is wary of strangers and he is territorial.

Health Problems

flat coated retriever puppies - health problemsFlat-Coated Retrievers have their share of health concerns from dysplasia to cancer. The breeds problems include:

  1. Hip Dysplasia – not very common
  2. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – can result in blindness
  3. Glaucoma - an eye disease that can result in blindness
  4. Epilepsy – very rare but still seen
  5. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and volvulus) – fatal if not treated immediately

Cancers

Hemangiosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Malignant Histiocytosis, and Fibrosarcoma. Studies show that about half of all Flat-Coated Retrievers die of cancer.

The Entlebucher is prone to:

Hip Dysplasia

entlebucher mountain dog puppies - health problemsCommon to large dogs. Can cause lameness and arthritis.

Hemolytic Anemia

The immune system destroys its own blood cells.

PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is inherited and causes degeneration of the retina. There is new medication for this.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

flat coated retriever dogs - caringHe will be a medium size dog. Feed puppies 3-4 times a day about a 1/8 cup of high-quality food. Feed a puppy food designed for medium size dogs or specifically for retrievers.

Feeding the adult

Feed 2 times a day about !/2 cups of dry food per meal. Do not overfeed. They have a tendency to be obese.

Points for Good Health

Maintain a healthy weight and avoid exercise before and after meals. The good news is dysplasia and epilepsy are rare in the breed.

Games and Exercises

They are very energetic and need good exercise. Long walks and a yard to run in. Remember they are hunting dogs and will chase to retrieve things so don’t let them off leash outside your yard. They will excel at agility, tracking. Rally, obedience, swimming, hunting, and jogging. They make great therapy dogs.

Feeding

entlebucher mountain dog dogs - caringThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a large working dog. He needs good solid food, but he doesn’t need to be overfed. Give him about 2-3 cups per day fed in 2-3 meals. Be careful of Bloat in the large dog.

Health issues

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is prone to these issues as well as those mentioned earlier.

  1. Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome
  2. The Ureter is misplaced.
  3. Luxating Patellas
  4. Movable kneecaps
  5. Exercise and games

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs love to play, to work and to exercise. They are great with people who want to walk them every day, run with them, ride bikes or hike. They can play for hours or work for hours. They need a lot of activity every day and excel at tracking, obedience, herding and agility.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  2. Flat-Coated Retriever vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  3. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  4. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  5. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  6. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  7. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  8. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  9. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  11. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  12. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  13. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  14. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  15. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  16. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  18. Slovakian Hound vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  19. Small Munsterlander vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  21. Kooikerhondje vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Labrador Husky vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Giant Schnauzer vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Goldador vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mackenzie River Husky vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. German Longhaired Pointer vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Pyredoodle vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  36. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  37. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  38. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  39. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  41. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  42. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  43. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  45. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  46. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  48. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  49. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  50. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds