Weimaraner: temperament, size, care and health

About the Weimaraner

The Weimaraner is a large, muscular and graceful hunting dog with a distinctive coat of silver, mouse or deep gray, and often light amber or blue-gray eyes. Males stand over two feet tall at the shoulder. The standard coat is short and smooth, and a less common longhaired type has feathering on the ears, legs and tail.

It was created for hunting big game and later was used on birds, and it combines speed, stamina and a good nose. Modern owners keep it as a running companion and a hunting dog, and it has become well known for photographs by artists who like its ghostly look.

Temperament and family life

A Weimaraner is a loyal, demanding companion that wants to be with its people nearly all the time. It is alert and willing to guard, and may be wary with strangers if not socialized. Some are good with considerate older children, but a large, boisterous and strong dog can easily upset small ones.

The breed is prone to separation anxiety and to destructive behavior when it lacks company. Prey drive is strong, so cats, rabbits and small dogs may be chased, and the Weimaraner can be dominant with other dogs of the same sex. It is a smart and sometimes stubborn dog that will test limits, so firm and consistent leadership is needed from the start.

Exercise and training

This is an athlete. Two hours of exercise a day is not unusual, and the dog thrives on running, swimming, hiking and field work. Owners who cannot provide that outlet usually see chewing, digging and anxious pacing. A secure, high fence is a must, since a bored Weimaraner can jump and find gaps.

The breed learns fast, but it can be willful and has a long adolescence. Training should be consistent, rewarding and begun early, with lots of socialization. Weimaraners do well in field work, agility, obedience and scent sports. Reliable recall is a long project because the dog follows its nose over great distances.

Grooming and shedding

The short coat is easy to keep. A weekly rubdown with a rubber mitt or hound glove removes loose hair, and baths are needed only now and then. Shedding is moderate and the short hairs stick to clothing and sofas.

The coat is thin and the dog has no real undercoat, so it can feel cold quickly. The longhaired type needs more brushing, especially on the ears and tail. Check the ears for dirt and keep the nails trimmed. Because of its pale skin and eyes, a Weimaraner may squint in strong sun.

Health

The Weimaraner is a deep-chested breed and is at risk of bloat, a life-threatening stomach emergency, so owners should learn the warning signs and talk to a vet about prevention. Other conditions include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, immune-mediated disease, eyelid abnormalities, and certain cancers. Some lines have had issues with spinal dysraphism, which has a heritable component. Responsible breeders test hips, thyroid, eyes and other items and share results. A veterinarian, not this page, is the right source of advice on a particular dog; this is general information.

History

The breed is sometimes traced to the German court of Weimar in the early 1800s, where nobles sought a fast, fearless hunting dog. The first Weimaraners were imported to the United States by Howard Knight in 1929, and the breed became widely known after the Second World War.

Is the Weimaraner right for you?

A Weimaraner suits an experienced owner who can supply hours of exercise, steady training and company. It is a rewarding hunting and running partner for an athletic person with a secure yard.

It is a poor choice for first-time owners, apartment dwellers and those who are out most of the day. The Vizsla is smaller and softer and the German Shorthaired Pointer is more adaptable. The Pointer is lighter and less people-focused, and the Irish Setter offers a similar exuberance in a feathered coat.