Overall Entlebucher Births
It is very interesting to look at the number of Entlebucher Sennenhunde (Entlebucher Mountain Dogs) that have been born in different countries since the breed was first recognised. Unsurprisingly, looking at the period ending in 2023, the highest percentage of contributions to the population took place in Switzerland where there were 9726 births of pedigree dogs. The breed was little known outside of its home country until the last 40 to 50 years, and then initially it was Germany, sharing an almost common language, where the breed began to be known. The Netherlands and Austria also became significant contributors to the numbers, but it has only been in the last 25 years that other countries have developed their breeding programmes. Since records began, 32% of the breed were born in Switzerland and 24% in Germany.
Births Since 2000
In recent times, whilst the numbers in Germany are consistent, the share of breeding by Switzerland has dropped dramatically, replaced by much broader international coverage. Within that, there were major increases in the United States, Czech Republic, France, Russian Federation and the Netherlands. Is that change a good thing? Maybe, maybe not. It should mean we could develop a wider gene pool, but overbreeding of key stud dogs, and even bitches, sometimes means that we don’t see that benefit in the way we could. Some of those countries do breed to high standards. They are looking to protect the health of the breed as much as any. However subtle changes in appearance of the dog begin to occur where, instead of an Ankörung, decisions and impressions are made within the show ring. Some judges prefer a certain ‘type’ of appearance. It becomes subjective. Where that starts to happen country or region wide, then breeders begin to breed to that type. Sadly, not all countries work to the Swiss Ankörung (breeding test). Where they do, the dogs are judged to the FCI Breed Standard in an objective manner. Doing so helps to ensure the dogs stay true to the needs of their original purpose and would mean a breed that looks as much like the early dogs in another hundred years’ time as the dogs being born today.
