Weimaraners General Breed Profile

WeimaranersThe Weimaraner is a graceful hunting dog. They have an aristocratic look to them. They have been the subject of many portraits by famed photographer William Wegman. But, these dogs are much more than models, they are energetic, enthusiastic, and great family pets.

 

History

The Weimaraner originated in Germany in the 19th century. They were first called the Weimer Pointer. Weimar was a city in Germany and the nobleman or royals of Weinmar bred the dogs to be hunting dogs for hunting large game such as wild boars, deer, and bears. As hunting of large game declined, they would hunt smaller animals like rabbits and foxes. The noblemen where very protective of these dogs. They would only let select people from their club purchase a puppy. During the Cold War, the breed was used to help find missile parts because of their strong sense of smell.

 

Overview

The breed is part of the sporting group of dogs. They are a medium to large size dog with gray, blue, or silver gray fur. Males weigh 70 – 90 pounds and 25 – 27 inches in height on average. Females weigh 55 – 75 pounds and are 23 – 25 inches tall on average. Thier life expectancy is 10 – 13 years. They are a very active and can run fast and they have great endurance. They would make a great dog for a runner.

 

Behavior

As mentioned above this breed is very active. They need an hour or more of demanding activity each day, such as running, hiking or biking. If they are confined for too long during the day they can become hyperactive and/or destructive. These dogs do not like to be alone for long periods of time and this can lead to them barking or destroying things in the home. With that being said, if you have a Weimaraner then you have a friend for life. These dogs are extremely loyal and highly protective of their families. They are also very trainable and obedient. Sometimes, they can become distracted by sights, sounds and of course smells during training sessions. This is just something the trainer needs to be aware of when working with the dog.

 

Temperament

Weimaraners are friendly and will become part of the family. They are good with children, but when they are puppies they might not realize how boisterous they can be. They might frighten or knock down small children, but it isn’t because they are aggressive, just excitable. When meeting new people they might be a little shy. They can also have a dominant personality. This means new animals should be carefully introduced. Because of their hunting instincts, it is important that you are very cautious about cats or other small animals that will run away or be “chased”.

 

Care and Health

Weimaraners have a short coat and normally only shed seasonally. A weekly brushing will help contain the shedding. Bathing should be done often and might require two people because of their size. Taking them to a groomer who will trim their nails, check their anal glands and clean their ears is suggested every six weeks or so. They can tolerate hot weather well but might need a coat during cold spells or the winter months.

As far as health problems, they are generally healthy. Some can be susceptible to hip dysplasia and other joint and bone problems. They are also highly prone to a digestive disorder called bloat. Bloat is when a dog’s stomach fills with food, fluid, or gas making it expand. When the stomach is expanded it puts pressure on other organs causing a life-threatening condition. There are ways to avoid bloat. Don’t exercise them right after a large meal, don’t let them drink large amounts of water and check with your vet about giving them Simethicone which is a gas reducer.

Weimaraners are great dogs for someone who is willing and able to devote the time, energy and training they need to be happy and healthy. They will be a friend for life to the person who cares for them. If this is your first experience training a dog there are many resources online. You could also check with local pet stores for obedience courses.