Planned: Spring/Summer 2026
- Expected price: $3,500
- Estimated litter size: 4–8 puppies (breed-typical range)
- We plan for ~1 litter per year
We’ll post updates here as pregnancy is confirmed, puppies are born, and selection begins.
Hilltop Entles
Entlebucher Mountain Dogs • Vernon, CT
Built to be active. Bonded for life.
Raising healthy, confident Entlebucher Mountain Dogs with exceptional temperament, structure, and working heritage.
Follow Alpen & Everest's adventures and get updates on upcoming litters
@alpys_adventures
NEMDA BCOE Certified
AKC Registered
OFA CHIC Certified
About Hilltop Entles
We've been passionate Entlebucher owners for over 20 years, and Alpen and Everest are our third and fourth Entles. What keeps us devoted to this remarkable breed? Their unwavering loyalty, boundless energy for an active lifestyle, and that characteristic "velcro dog" behavior that makes them the most devoted companions you'll ever meet.
Hilltop Entles is a small, home-based program in the suburbs of Vernon, Connecticut. Both Alpen and Everest are AKC registered and OFA CHIC certified. They have completed comprehensive health testing including:
- OFA hip and elbow X-rays — Orthopedic evaluation
- OFA patella evaluation — Knee joint assessment
- CAER eye exam — Comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation
- PRA testing — Negative for Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Genetic screening — Health panel testing
- Veterinary reproductive exams
They spend their days with their work-from-home dad, crate trained and fully integrated into daily family life.
Alpen and Everest are two of the friendliest Entles we've ever encountered. Our goal is simple: produce sociable, active, well-tempered puppies who inherit their parents' exceptional temperaments and zest for life.
Our Dogs
Everest — Our Boy
Everest od Mirova • Natural bob tail • Czech Republic
Exceptionally outgoing and friendly, with a remarkable ability to socialize with both dogs and humans. He even gets along beautifully with cats! Born with a natural bob tail, Everest's confidence and warm temperament make him an ideal ambassador for the breed.
Born: November 15, 2023
Sire: Gatsby Zahrada Snu
Dam: Daimee od Mirova
Breeder: Radka Langova
View Pedigree →
Alpen — Our Girl
Delightful Alpine Daffodils of Dyberry Creek Farm • Pennsylvania
The perfect balance of friendly, serious, and loving. She can't get enough cuddling and always wants to be touching her humans—true velcro dog behavior at its finest. Her affectionate nature combined with her intelligence makes her an exceptional family companion.
Born: May 16, 2022
Sire: GCH CH Athos Magnificent Swiss Tricolor
Dam: Victory To Yes of Dyberry Creek Farm
Breeders: Eve Tetzlaff & Brian Phillips
Life at Hilltop
Both Alpen and Everest are extremely active dogs who live for fetch—they can't get enough of Chuck It sessions and their daily walks. The Entlebucher's herding instincts and natural tendency to stay close to their people make them exceptional companions for outdoor activities. Our two are avid mountain bike trail dogs who cover miles and miles through the woods of New England year-round, whether dirt, leaves or snow.
Litters
Breeding Services
We may offer breeding services with Everest to approved females with appropriate health testing and club/contract requirements. Contact us for details.
About the Entlebucher Mountain Dog
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog, or "Entle," is the smallest and rarest of the four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds. Don't let their compact size fool you—these 40-65 pound dynamos pack the energy, intelligence, and working drive of dogs twice their size.
Temperament & Personality
Entlebuchers are known for their unwavering loyalty and "velcro dog" tendencies—they want to be wherever you are. Confident, devoted, and playful, they form incredibly strong bonds with their families. Their herding heritage means they're naturally protective and may try to herd children, pets, or even their people!
While loving with their families, Entles can be reserved with strangers and need proper socialization. They're intelligent problem-solvers who thrive on having a job to do.
Activity & Exercise Needs
This is an active, athletic breed that needs daily physical and mental exercise. Entlebuchers excel at dog sports like agility, herding, obedience, and rally. They make excellent hiking, running, and biking companions.
Without adequate exercise and mental stimulation, Entles can become destructive or develop unwanted behaviors. They're best suited for active families who can provide structured activities and training.
Training & Intelligence
Highly intelligent and eager to please, Entlebuchers are quick learners who respond well to positive reinforcement training. However, their independence and strong will mean they need consistent, firm (but never harsh) leadership.
Early socialization and puppy training classes are essential. Their herding instincts can translate to nipping or controlling behavior if not properly channeled through training and appropriate activities.
Health & Responsible Breeding
Generally healthy, Entlebuchers typically live 11-13 years. We are responsible breeders who meet the highest standards for health testing and follow quality breeding practices, screening for hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and other hereditary conditions through OFA and genetic testing.
OFA CHIC Certification is the gold standard for responsible breeding. The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) requires breeders to complete all breed-specific health tests recommended by NEMDA and make results publicly available—regardless of outcome. This transparency ensures puppy buyers can make informed decisions.
The breed's relatively small gene pool makes health testing and responsible breeding practices critically important!
Breed History & AKC Recognition
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog originated in the Entlebuch valley of Switzerland, where they served as versatile farm dogs for centuries—herding cattle, guarding property, and driving livestock to market. They're the smallest of the four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds (alongside Bernese, Greater Swiss, and Appenzeller).
The breed nearly went extinct in the early 1900s but was preserved through dedicated breeding efforts. The first breed standard was written in 1927, and the Swiss Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1913.
Entlebuchers arrived in North America in the 1980s and gained full AKC recognition in 2011 as part of the Herding Group. They remain relatively rare in the United States, with only a few hundred registered annually, making them one of the AKC's least common breeds.
About NEMDA
The National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association (NEMDA) is the official AKC parent club for the breed in the United States. Founded in 1998, NEMDA is dedicated to protecting and preserving the Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
NEMDA provides breeder referrals, breed education, health resources, and promotes responsible breeding practices. The organization maintains the Breeder Code of Ethics and offers health certifications for breeders who complete comprehensive health testing.
Learn More About the Breed:
Contact
Want to learn more, be notified about our 2026 litter, or ask about our dogs?
Or email directly: hilltopentles@gmail.com