Weimaraner

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Weimaraner is one of the few breeds that was selectively and possessively maintained by royalty, to be both part of their hunting parties and their households. Kenneled in packs and allowed inside their owners' living spaces, Weimaraners have become accustomed to, and indeed expect, being in close proximity with people, earning it the monicker "Velcro dog." The downside of this is that they are given to wailing and high levels of separation anxiety when away from their owners, which can be offset only be consistent training from puppyhood, or even sometimes, by medication.

Its emotional dependency notwithstanding, the Weimaraner was bred to be a gundog, and excels as a very versatile hunter in the field. It was originally used for big game in Germany, where the breed originated in the Grand Duke of Weimar's court. As prey thinned out, Weimaraners hunted smaller prey, and were excellent pointers and retrievers. Webbed paws give it an advantage in water, while a deep chest, well-developed muscles and sleek lines give it stamina and power in the field.

Elegant in appearance and not bulky for its height, the Weimaraner was constrained from being bred in other countries by its German owners until well into the 19th century. Today, it is known as a loyal, fearless hunting companion, and a good family dog as well.

Color

The coat of a Weimaraner is uniformly grey, such that is also known as the "Grey Ghost." This may vary in shade, from dusty dark grey to a light silvery grey. Eyes are either light amber, grey, or bluish-grey.

Coat

Weimaraners have a single coat of short, hard fur that appears sleek and close to the skin. This means they do not do well in extremely cold weather or icy cold water.

Personality

The Weimaraner is an amiable, tractable dog equally suited for both the outdoors and inside the house. Intelligent, trainable and affectionate, they are often equal to active owners, as well as energetic companions to children. Very young children and frail people might need watching with this breed, though, as Weimaraners can knock down people in their enthusiasm. They are also insistently affectionate, crawling into laps and beds just to be with their people. The more stubborn of the breed can be hard to break from bad habits; firm and consistent training from puppyhood will be required. Homeowners who do not heed their Weimareners' need for attention or time could find their house in disorder, with furniture and articles chewed and a noisy, whining dog. The prey drive can be strong in this hunting breed, so other dogs should be introduced from a young age. Small animals are not advisable to have around this breed.

Care

The Weimaraner's short coat is very low maintenance. Brushing once a week will keep it shiny and lessen dander. Bathing can be as infrequent as once a month. A deep-chested dog with high energy levels, the Weimaraner is vulnerable to bloat, a painful and ultimately fatal condition where the stomach twists and blocks off blood vessels. meals should be well-proportioned and scheduled away from exercise or activity.

Training

Formal training is best for a high-strung animal such as the Weimaraner. Intelligence lends it to training for various skills; however, Weimaraners can be single-minded and stubborn at times. They will also need to be calmed down on occasion, as they tend to be more excitable than other breeds. Puppies can take months for crate-training, and food left on the table or the counter prove irresistible to this breed.

Activity

The incredible stamina and energy of the Weimaraner call for an active regimen that will properly exhaust excess energy before bedding down at the end of the day. This will take some commitment on any owner's part, and, if cannot be done, should be turned over to professional handlers. A hyperactive Weimaraner will not be house-friendly, and insufficient exercise can takes its toll on temperament for this hunting dog.