High‑energy herding breed that bonds closely with its person and may be slow to warm to unfamiliar people; in-clinic this can look like intense watching, alert barking, or hesitancy with strangers. Motion and crowding (running children, fast‑moving dogs, busy lobbies) can heighten arousal and prompt ‘herding’ behaviors. If under‑exercised or overstimulated, owners may report restlessness, vocalization, or chewing; some dislike prolonged restraint or feet/tail handling and settle better with calm, predictable approaches and their owner nearby.
Front desk script: Entlebuchers can be alert and vocal with new people and movement. Would a quieter room and slower introductions help [Pet Name] today, and are there any handling no‑gos (feet, tail, prolonged restraint) we should note? If you prefer to stay present during the exam, we can accommodate that. If you notice sudden collapse, signs of heat distress, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, or escalating aggression/bite risk today, please tell us immediately so we can triage as an emergency.
Entlebucher Mountain Dogs have several known breed-linked risks: a unique urinary tract disorder called Entlebucher urinary syndrome (a cluster of congenital ureter abnormalities) that can be silent or present as urine leaking, recurrent UTIs, abdominal distension, and—rarely—kidney compromise; inherited eye disease (progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts) that can lead to gradual vision loss; and orthopedic issues reported in the breed (hip dysplasia and patellar luxation) that may show as rear-limb lameness or difficulty rising. Front-desk alert signs to ask about/include on intake: puppyhood house‑training trouble with dribbling, frequent or large‑volume urination, recurring urinary infections, a swollen/tight belly, sudden vomiting, marked lethargy, night‑vision changes or bumping into objects, and intermittent hind‑limb limping.
Front desk script: This breed can have a congenital urinary issue (Entlebucher urinary syndrome), plus inherited eye disease and some hip/knee concerns. If an owner reports urine dribbling, repeated UTIs, night‑vision problems, or rear‑limb limping, please note it and offer a prompt appointment. If they describe inability to urinate, a swollen/painful belly, repeated vomiting, or extreme lethargy, advise this may be an emergency and direct them to come in immediately or to the nearest ER. We will not diagnose by phone—our goal is quick, appropriate triage and scheduling.
Medium, high-energy Swiss herding dog: loyal with family and often reserved with strangers; best for active homes that can provide daily exercise, training, and socialization. Short coat needs weekly brushing; moderate shedding. Typical lifespan is 11–13 years. Common health screening priorities include hips, knees (patellas), and annual eye exams; the breed club also notes a breed‑specific urinary syndrome that can show as urine leaking in young dogs. Not ideal for low-activity or long‑alone households. Emergency red flags: sudden unproductive retching, a tight/bloated abdomen, collapse, or severe distress—go to an emergency vet immediately.
Front desk script: Entlebuchers are medium, very active herding dogs—great for active families but often a bit reserved with strangers. Coat care is simple (weekly brushing), but they need daily exercise and training. For wellness, we focus on hips, knees, and yearly eye checks; let us know if you ever notice urine dribbling in a pup or new vision changes. If you see sudden retching without vomit, a firm bloated belly, collapse, or severe distress, go to the emergency hospital right away and call us en route.
Front-desk teams most often field Entlebucher calls for: new-puppy/adult wellness and vaccine scheduling; parasite prevention refills and travel/boarding certificates; high‑energy limping or stiffness after play/sport and questions about OFA hip/elbow screening; eye changes or annual eye certification queries given breed PRA awareness; young‑dog urinary leaking or recurrent “UTI” concerns (Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome); ear/skin itching, shedding care, nail/anal gland services; and routine GI upset. Escalate immediately if a caller reports a painful red eye, non‑weight‑bearing lameness, repeated vomiting/diarrhea with lethargy, straining to urinate or not passing urine, pale gums, breathing trouble, or a swollen belly with unproductive retching—advise emergency evaluation now.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—this active breed often prompts visits for wellness/boosters, limping after activity, eye changes, urinary dribbling in youngsters, skin/ear irritation, or stomach upset. I can reserve the next available appointment and note your concerns. If you’re seeing a red or painful eye, non‑weight‑bearing lameness, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, straining or no urine, pale gums, trouble breathing, or a swollen belly with gagging, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now and we’ll alert them you’re coming. Otherwise, does [next slot] work?
Short, dense double coat; low-maintenance and not a routine haircut breed. Expect year‑round shedding with heavier ‘blow’ periods in spring and fall; plan for regular brushing at home (weekly to a few times per week) and book de‑shedding services ahead of peak seasons. Baths are as needed. Routine ear checks are helpful; flag signs of trouble. Escalate same day if owners report excessive licking, redness/swelling or flaky skin, or ear odor/discharge or head‑shaking.
Front desk script: This breed has a short double coat that sheds all year—more in spring and fall. We don’t typically shave or trim them; brushing and as‑needed baths are the focus. We can schedule de‑shed appointments ahead of shedding season. If you notice excessive licking, red or flaky skin, or ear odor/discharge or head‑shaking, let’s set a same‑day exam.
For Entlebucher Mountain Dogs, route calls about urinary leaking or recurrent UTIs—especially in puppies/young dogs—into a same‑day GP exam and ask the caller to bring a fresh urine sample; this breed has a documented urinary tract anomaly (Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome) that can be intermittent or silent. Routine lameness/orthopedic concerns (hip/patella) can book next‑available unless there is non‑weight‑bearing, acute trauma, or severe pain (same day). Ask if the dog has prior eye DNA testing for PRA or recent ophthalmologist exam results and request those records. Escalate immediately if the caller reports straining to urinate with little/no output, progressive abdominal distension, or repeated unproductive retching—advise emergency care now.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Entlebucher Mountain Dog—because this breed can have breed‑related urinary and orthopedic/eye issues, I’d like to ask a few triage questions. If you’re seeing urine leaking (particularly in a young dog) or frequent UTIs, we’ll schedule a same‑day exam; please bring a fresh urine sample and any prior OFA/CHIC or eye‑exam results. If your dog is straining and producing little or no urine, has a swollen/tight belly, or is retching without bringing anything up, please go to the nearest 24/7 emergency hospital now and call us on the way so we can coordinate.
Entlebucher Mountain Dog lifecycle touchpoints: Puppies (to ~12–16 months; breed lifespan ~11–13 years) should be booked for a new‑puppy exam plus wellness/vaccine series every 3–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks, with front‑desk prompts on socialization, growth, and any gait/asymmetry concerns to flag for the DVM. Adults (~1–7 years) typically have annual wellness and risk‑based vaccine updates; confirm activity/working roles, travel/boarding plans, weight/dental history, and note this breed’s reported hip/eye predispositions when scheduling. Seniors (~10+ years or last 25% of expected lifespan) are best on semiannual visits with time for mobility, vision, continence, and behavior/pain check‑ins per the doctor. If a caller reports sudden breathing trouble, collapse/marked weakness, inability to urinate, or severe non‑weight‑bearing lameness, advise immediate emergency care and direct them to the nearest ER while calling ahead.
Front desk script: For an Entlebucher puppy, we’ll set a new‑puppy exam and then vaccine/wellness visits every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks. For healthy adults, we book annual wellness and boosters; working or traveling dogs may need more frequent check‑ins. For seniors (around 10+), we recommend visits every 6 months with screening per the doctor to catch mobility or vision changes early. If you notice trouble breathing, collapse, inability to urinate, or sudden severe lameness, please go to the emergency clinic now and call us on the way.
Energetic, people‑bonded herding dogs that can be cautious with new people—keep greetings low‑key, use high‑value treats, confirm a snug collar/harness, and move to a quiet room if aroused. Capture targeted history: any urinary leaking or recurrent UTIs in pups/young adults (breed‑linked “Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome”) and any mobility concerns (hips). Set clear red‑flag expectations: sudden non‑productive retching with a tight/bloated belly, collapse, or extreme restlessness = ER now; painful urination, vomiting, or fever with leakage = same‑day visit. Avoid giving medical advice by phone; schedule the DVM to assess and set next steps.
Front desk script: “Entlebuchers are high‑energy and may be a bit cautious with new people, so we’ll keep greetings calm, use treats, and get you into a quiet room. Please keep a snug collar or harness and a short leash for check‑in. If you ever see non‑productive retching or a tight, bloated belly, please go to the emergency hospital immediately. If you notice new urinary leaking or frequent UTIs in a youngster, we’ll prioritize a same‑day appointment so our doctor can evaluate.”
Entlebucher Mountain Dogs have several breed-specific watchouts front desks can screen for: urinary leaking/dribbling in puppies or young adults, recurrent UTIs, or new abdominal distension may indicate Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome—offer a same‑day exam and ask the client to bring a fresh urine sample; schedule annual eye checks to monitor for progressive retinal atrophy; note any intermittent skipping/lameness or stiffness and flag for hip/patella screening at wellness visits; track weight and avoid heat stress by reminding owners to limit exertion in hot weather. Escalate immediately if the pet collapses/overheats or is straining to urinate and producing little to no urine—advise emergency care now.
Front desk script: Because this breed can have a unique urinary condition, if you’re noticing urine dribbling, frequent UTIs, or a new bloated belly, we’d like to see your dog today—can you bring a fresh urine sample? We also recommend a yearly eye exam and routine hip/knee checks at wellness visits. If your dog is collapsing from heat or can’t pass urine, please go to the nearest emergency hospital now and call us on the way.
High‑energy Swiss herder; bonds tightly to owner and may be reserved with strangers. For check‑in/handling, keep greetings low‑key, allow the owner to stay close and present first, use high‑value rewards, and avoid crowding or prolonged restraint. What to ask about: any urine dribbling or recurrent UTIs in young dogs (breed‑linked urinary anomalies can be silent), any eye changes (cloudiness, redness, dilated pupil, vision changes), and any history of hip/knee issues. If sudden red/cloudy eye or acute vision change is reported today, escalate immediately to emergency ophthalmic triage.
Front desk script: Entlebuchers are devoted, high‑drive herding dogs and can be wary with new people, so we’ll let you lead and keep things calm while we use treats. Quick questions: any recent eye changes (redness, cloudiness, dilated pupil, bumping into things) or sudden vision issues? Any urine dribbling or repeated bladder infections, especially in a young dog, or any limp/hip or kneecap history? If you’re seeing sudden eye changes, we’ll alert the medical team now and fast‑track you.
Active Swiss herding breed; often reserved with strangers and needs high daily exercise and mental enrichment—best matched to experienced, active adopters. For intake, request prior health screening records (OFA/CHIC) and note breed issues commonly referenced by veterinary sources: hip dysplasia/patellar luxation, inherited eye disease (PRA; ongoing research interest in glaucoma), and a breed‑linked risk of congenital ureteral ectopia that can present as juvenile urinary leakage or recurrent UTIs. Ask for any history of annual ophthalmology exams and PRA DNA results, and monitor for urinary signs in young females. If an adopter reports a suddenly red, painful or bulging eye or rapid vision loss, instruct them to seek emergency veterinary care immediately due to risk of sight‑threatening disease.
Front desk script: This is a high‑energy Swiss herding breed; we try to place them with active, experienced homes that can provide daily exercise and training. We’ll request any prior health testing (hips, patellas, annual eye exam, and PRA DNA/CHIC records) and share those with your care team. Please advise adopters that sudden red, painful or bulging eyes or rapid vision loss are emergencies and they should go to an ER veterinarian right away.
High-energy, task-driven herding dog that bonds strongly to the owner and may be reserved or indifferent with strangers; movement in busy lobbies can trigger herding or vocal alerting. At check-in, ask for a well-fitted collar/harness and short leash held close, minimize stimuli (direct to a quiet area or room when possible), and avoid fast approaches or overhead petting; use calm voices and optional treats with owner permission. Note if there’s history of reactivity, barrier frustration, or heel-nipping. For handoffs, allow a slow, side-on approach and owner-to-tech leash transfer; limit restraint until the dog is settled. If the dog is lunging, growling, snapping, or cannot settle, stop the process, call a technician immediately, and move to a quiet room; if a bite occurs or safety is at risk, notify the medical team now.
Front desk script: Hi! Entlebuchers are energetic herding dogs and can be a bit wary with new people and pets. Please keep [PetName] on a short leash next to you; we can room you right away or find a quiet spot. If you notice staring, stiff posture, or growling, let us know and we’ll pause and have a technician assist. If [he/she] starts to lunge or snap, we’ll stop immediately and bring the medical team to help.
For Entlebucher Mountain Dogs, immediately escalate for any of the following: suspected bloat/GDV (sudden swollen abdomen, unproductive retching, restlessness, drooling, weakness/collapse), breathing difficulty or blue/grey/pale gums, repeated vomiting/diarrhea with lethargy, seizures lasting >5 minutes or multiple in a row, straining to urinate or producing little/no urine (esp. males), sudden painful/red/cloudy/bulging eye or sudden vision changes, major trauma/uncontrolled bleeding, toxin ingestion, or heat stress after exertion (excessive panting, drooling, confusion, collapse). If any are present, this is an emergency—direct the pet to be seen immediately; if after-hours or unable to arrive promptly, send to the nearest 24/7 emergency hospital now.
Front desk script: Based on what you’re describing, this requires an emergency exam today. Please bring your dog in immediately; if we are closed or you cannot get here promptly, go to the nearest 24/7 animal ER now. If the signs worsen en route (collapse, trouble breathing), proceed directly to the ER and let us know once you arrive.