Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 by Richard in 1c Gundog Breeds Pointers |

The Weimaraner Hunting Dog or Gray ghost is a phrase that is often associated with this breed and it is for good reason, the first thing that most people notice on the Weimaraner hunting dog is the short coat that is usually a silver gray in coloring, although you can also find them in varying shades of gray from mouse gray to blue gray. In addition to their striking coat, which covers an athletic body that is balanced and graceful, the Weimaraner also has unusual eyes that are either amber or light gray to blue gray in color.

But enough about appearance since we already know that the Weimaraner is an unusual breed, that is quiet beautiful, but that is only splitting hairs. Despite their beauty, the Weimaraner is a hard working breed that does exceptionally well in a variety of terrains and hunting a variety of field game. In fact, the Weimaraner is a true “fur and feathers” breed and you can use them to hunt anything from upland fowl to deer.

When the Weimaraner is not at work, you can find yourself in the company of an affectionate dog that loves the attention of their family. They are usually very energetic and this combined with their intelligence makes them a wonderful competitor in a number of dog sports.

They can be a bit difficult to train and are not usually recommended for first time or timid owners. However, if you can get over the training difficulties, you can be left with a dog that is truly spectacular.

Pro’s and con’s of owning a Weimaraner

Like all dog breeds, the Weimaraner has a number of pros and cons and at times, the latter may seem more apparent, however, the best way to approach life with a Weimaraner is simply to accept that this is a special breed. They almost know their own worth and anyone who has seen them in action will realize how truly spectacular this breed is. Once you have worked with a Weimaraner, there is very little chance that you will want another breed.

The Pro’s

The Weimaraner is an interesting breed that has a lot of intelligence and independence, which makes it an ideal field dog. In addition, this is a true “fur and feathers” breed that is happy pursuing any type of quarry.

• Despite the fact that the Weimaraner is used for hunting, this is a breed that is all pet as well. They thrive when they can work in both a hunting and pet capacity and do much better living in the home with their owners.

• They are usually very affectionate and can make excellent family pets, although they are not suitable for young children since they can be overly rambunctious.

• They are an athletic breed that will work hard in the field.

• Weimaraners are low shedding and very easy to groom.

• They are intelligent and able to take commands very well in the field.

• They are generally suspicious of new people but this makes them an excellent watch dog.

• Weimaraners are very beautiful and have an unusual appearance to them.

The Con’s

One thing that should be pointed out about the Weimaraner is that this is not a dog for everyone. They have some traits that make them a difficult breed for an inexperienced owner and it is important to really know yourself before you take on this breed.

• They have a large number of health problems so it is important to find a reputable breeder.

• They suffer from separation anxiety and can be quite destructive when they do.

• They are slower to housebreak than other breeds.

• They can be very energetic and are not the best for apartments, although they can live in them if they are properly exercised.

• Weimaraners are very sensitive dogs and really need ample socialization and proper training to make sure they don’t become aggressive or skittish.

• They are usually a very dominant breed and need firm, but positive training.

• Weimaraners can be difficult to train since they have a very strong will and like to do things their own way.

• Since they are a hunting breed, they do have a fair amount of energy and need to be exercised about 60 minutes per day.

• They are not recommended for homes with smaller pets since they have a strong prey drive.

Health Issues:

The Weimaraner has a number of hereditary diseases that can affect them and it is very important to be aware of them before you purchase a puppy.

In addition to the health problems, some Weimaraner puppies have been known to experience an autoimmune reaction to vaccines. Although it is impossible to determine which puppy will have this reaction, the risk for it is enough for owners to take special care with vaccinations. The Weimaraner Association of Canada recommends that the Distemper and Parvo vaccines be administered at different times, usually with an interval of two weeks between each vaccine. This has been proven to reduce the risk to the puppies significantly.

It is very important to research your breeders and to make sure that they are only using dogs that have been properly screened for health problems. Some issues that are seen in the Weimaraner are:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
• Congenital cysts
• Retinal Atrophy
• Factor XI Deficiency
• Hypomyelinogenesis
• Mastocytoma
• Entropion
• Pituitary Dwarfism
• Gastric Torsion or Bloat
• Distichiasis
• Nictitating Membrane Eversion
• Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
• Syringomyelia
• Cryptorchidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Persistent Right Aortic Arch
• Thymic Atrophy
• Umbilical Hernia

Height & Weight:

The Weimaraner is a dog that is refined in appearance and is a medium sized dog that has an athletic build. The breed is known for their grace and speed and their build should reflect the balance and endurance that is found in a dog that is healthy and hard working. They should have a long muzzle with an aristocratic look to it and their body should have a slight slope to it from the withers to the tail stump.

The size of a Weimaraner is:

Males: 24 to 27 inches (61 to 69 cm) tall and 55 to 70 pounds (25 to 32 kg).
Females: 22 to 25 inches (56 to 63 cm) tall and 50 to 65 pounds (23 to 29 kg).

Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog. In the Weimaraner the withers are slightly higher than the back of the dog.

Grooming:

The Weimaraner is a low shedding breed of dog that is actually very easy to groom and requires only the bare minimum when it comes to grooming. Generally, the short coat should be brushed on a weekly basis just to keep it looking sleek and to get rid of any hair that is being shed.

When it comes to bathing a Weimaraner, the breed requires only one or two baths per year and it should only be done when it is absolutely necessary. At any other time, a rub down with a damp towel should keep them clean and their coat in excellent condition.

Other grooming considerations are simply keeping nails trimmed and also trimming any hair that may be found between the toes. Also keep the ears clean and free of any debris or water. Remember, dog breeds that have pendulous ears are more likely to have an ear infection.

Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years

History:

The Weimaraner is a fairly young breed of gundog when you actually look at the history of other gundog breeds. They can trace their history back to the 19th century where they were originally known as the Weimar Pointers.

In fact, the Weimaraner can trace their history back to Weimar, which is in Germany, and the nobles who resided there. Being active sportsmen, the Nobles of Weimar wanted to create a dog that could be used to hunt a variety of game so they began breeding a dog that would do this.

Although we are unsure what breeds went into the creation of this breed, we do know that the Weimaraner was created and was originally used to hunt bear and other large game such as deer. Eventually, the Weimaraner was used for birds as well and became known as a “Fur and Feathers” breed that could hunt a number of prey with their handlers.

While they were exceptional dogs, the breed was kept under close control and it was difficult for anyone not associated with the German Weimaraner Club to own or breed one of these silver dogs. In 1928, efforts were made for the Weimaraner to be exported to America but Howard Knight, a New England Sportsman, met a fair amount of opposition by the German Weimaraner Club.

In the end, Howard Knight was able to import the first Weimaraner but, unfortunately, he was only able to import two sterilized dogs. Still, he continued to press the German Weimaraner Club and ten years later, he was rewarded with the purchase of four dogs, three bitches and a male.

From there, Howard Knight created his own pedigree of Weimaraner and went on to form the Weimaraner Club of America in 1942. Despite the struggle to get the Weimaraner into America, they didn’t really catch on. This was a breed that was considered flashy and were often considered as more of a status symbol than a working breed, despite their natural instincts and ability with hunting. Because of this, the breed declined for years in the United States but thankfully it did not disappear since many dedicated breeders kept them going and today they are seeing an increased popularity once again.

Grouping:

Gun Dog, AKC Sporting

Recognition:

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR