Weimaraner is a German dog breed. Germany has produced many fine hunting dogs, and the Weimaraner is one of them. Related to the German Shorthaired Pointer, this breed was bred to be fast, have a good nose, and be a courageous problem solver. The Weimaraner has hunted large game as well as birds. The Weimaraner gets its name from the place of its origin, the city of Weimar in Germany. They are also known as Weims, Silver Ghosts or Gray Ghosts.
Weimaraners date back to early 19th century Germany, where they were developed at the Weimar court to assist noblemen with their hunting. The noblemen needed a courageous, intelligent dog with good scenting ability and stamina, and the breed was achieved through crossing the Bloodhound, the English Pointer, the German Short-haired Pointer, and the blue Great Dane. As the forests shrank in size and big game became hard to come by, the Weim’s talents were used to hunt birds, rabbits, and foxes.
In 1897, an exclusive Weimaraner club was started in Germany to maintain breed standards and ensure responsible breeding. However, during World War II, it became difficult for German breeders to keep their dogs, so the best of the breed were sent to the US, where the breed gained popularity. As is often the case, their popularity led to irresponsible breeding, overpopulation, and an overall drop in breed standards. Weims began to develop temperamental problems and their popularity fell. By the late 1960s, their numbers had fallen drastically enough for breeders to resume a dedicated campaign for their responsible breeding. Today, the Weimaraner continues to be amongst the 30 most popular breeds in the US and not far behind, the world over.
Weimaraner dog breed is intelligent with a large reserve of energy
Weimaraners stand 23 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 60 and 90 pounds. The head is moderately wide between the ears and moderately long. The eyes are light amber or gray to blue-gray, and the ears are wide and dropped. The nose is gray. The body is athletic and the chest is deep. The tail is docked. The coat is short and smooth, with the Weimaraner dog breed’s distinctive feature being silver-gray coloring. The short coat needs only weekly brushing. Weimaraners are most popular for their coat colour. They have a uniform short and sleek coat, which can be in different shades of gray that range from mouse grey to silver grey. They have a deep chest with a tucked up belly and muscular hindquarters. The thighs are well-muscled on the hind legs they have long and straight forelegs. The feet are compact with well-arched toes that are close together. The nails are short and can range from amber to gray colour.
The tail is usually carried at an angle and used to be customarily docked, although this is no longer necessary, especially for Weims who are not hunters. They have a long head with an equally long skull and muzzle along with a moderate stop. The eyes are medium sized and set wide apart. They can range from blue-grey to amber, adding to the breed’s allure. Their eyes are extremely expressive and are quite the windows to their intelligence. The ears are set high and are fairly long, with a slight fold.
Weimaraners are generally a healthy breed and their breeding does not have many complications. Average male and female Weims attain sexual maturity anywhere between six to nine months of age, although they are still too young to breed at this age. This dog breed takes around 18 months to reach their full height and structure. It is advisable to breed your dog after at least two years of age. If you are first-timer at breeding, then taking a vet’s opinion is advisable. An average litter consists of 6-8 puppies.
This high-energy dog breed was designed to run and hunt all day. Weimaraners are not couch potatoes, and all the training in the world will not change what they are: energetic hunting dogs. These dogs need vigorous exercise—a run, training on the agility course, or a game of flyball—every single day. Training should begin early so that the owner can establish control and the Weimaraner puppy can learn household rules and social manners.
Weimaraner puppies are beautiful little creatures with bright blue eyes that are full of life. These puppies are a bundle of energy and love to play. Early socialisation will ensure well-rounded adult Weims who are less suspicious of strangers and less likely to hunt smaller animals in the house. Weim puppies love the company of humans as much as they love to chew, so remember to puppy proof your house and monitor all play between puppies and young children! Crate training Weim puppies in order to potty train them, is highly recommended, as long as the puppies learn to think of the crate as a positive, safe place and not a means of separation and punishment.
The Weimaraner dog breed is intelligent, and these dogs often try to get their own way in life. Weimaraners left alone for too many hours may become problem barkers or escape artists. Socialization is also important, beginning young and continuing on into adulthood. Housetraining can be a challenge; the owner must be patient and consistent. The Weimaraner needs an owner who is dedicated to keeping this dog busy and who isn’t away from the house for too many hours each day.
The Weimaraner dog breed is usually very good with children, although Weimaraner puppies can be rowdy and rough. He is good with other dogs his size, but since the breed has a strong prey drive, he is not to be trusted with smaller pets. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, eye problems, bloat, torsion, and von Willebrand disease.