Why So Blue?

Breed standard Weimaraners emerged in the late 18th century. They were originally bred as all-purpose gun dogs for German nobility and are named for the city Weimar in Thuringia, Germany. The typical Weim has a gray or silver-gray coat; it is unclear when and where the Blue Weimaraner variety came into being.

When referring to dogs’ coats, “blue” is a somewhat whimsical term for a diluted black color with a silver sheen (as opposed to gray, which is a diluted brown). A blue dog is not necessarily darker than a gray; the “blue” comes from tone, not darkness.

Some speculate that the Blue Weim’s color is a genetic mutation. Others insist that the first Blue was a result of cross-breeding with a Doberman. The truth may never be confirmed, as most of Germany’s Weimaraner documentation was lost in World War II.

Blue is a dominant gene in Weimaraners; at least one Blue parent is necessary to breed Blue Weim puppies.

The Turbulent History of the Blue Weimaraner

The history of the blue-coated Weimaraner in the United States is fraught with controversy, but it wasn’t always that way. Everything was peaceful in the 1944 American Weimaraner Standard, where the blue color was listed under “General Appearance” as a variation of Dark Gray.

But a dog named Cäsar von Gaiberg (nicknamed “Tell”) upended the Weim world when he arrived in the United States in 1949, in the care of American captain Harry J. Holt. Holt was stationed in Germany during World War II, where he befriended the Secretary of the German Weimaraner Klub, Mr. Fritz Kullmer. Kullmer recommended and oversaw Holt’s purchase of Tell, a Weimaraner of excellent bloodline. Though Tell’s color was officially marked as silver-gray, he was in fact the first Blue Weim in America.

The year after his arrival, the Weimaraner Club of America conducted a serious inquiry of Tell’s origins, going so far as to refer to him as “the black menace.” In 1952 the WCA sought disqualification for Blues on the basis that only a narrow range of gray-colored coats were acceptable. But the blue color was falsely labeled a recessive trait, and the AKC nixed the disqualification.

Heated debate resumed in early 1970, when the WCA Board tried and failed again to disqualify the Blue. They continued to push anti-Blue content in Weimaraner Magazine; they uncovered, translated and published a letter from the German Klub that supported their bias.

In 1971, amidst much controversy, the WCA voted again to DQ the Blue, grouping “distinctly blue or black coats” together in the referendum. This time, they succeeded–though some alleged that the words “or black coats” were crossed out on the ballots.

The AKC approved the revision, and Blue Weims are disqualified to this day. However, the dogs can still be registered as purebreds with the AKC and compete in agility competitions, obedience contests, hunt tests, field trials and more.

The Blue Weim Basics

Blue Weimaraners are highly active, people-oriented dogs with great tracking and hunting abilities. Their short, stiff coats are easy to maintain and sleek to the touch. Because they have no undercoat, they should not be raised in extremely cold climates. They have gray noses and striking gray or amber eyes. Adult females are 22-25 inches tall; males are 24-27 inches tall.

These intelligent, charismatic dogs need plenty of mental and physical stimulation. They excel at doggy sports like canicross (cross country running for dogs) and agility. If they don’t get consistent exercise, they will become destructive in the house.

The Blue Weim loves using its mouth. Since it was bred to hunt, it is predisposed to fetching objects and playing tug of war. But it also takes to chewing on inedible objects when stressed or nauseous.

Most weimaraners are attached to their owners, sticking to their sides and acting like lapdogs, despite their size. They suffer separation anxiety if kept in a kennel. On the other hand, they act disinterested and aloof around strangers. Though loyal and loving, this dog will not warm up to everyone.

Their life expectancy is 10-12 years.

Health issues

With its deep chest, the Blue Weimaraner is at risk for gastric torsion, a life-threatening condition in which its stomach twists due to excessive gas. It is also prone to elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, distichiasis, cryptorchidism, and skin allergies.

When people think of a Weimaraner, they typically picture a dog with a sleek coat of thin, grey fur. However, long haired Weimaraners are becoming an increasingly popular pet due to their unique and beautiful appearance. Long hairs have the same friendly and enthusiatic temperature as shorthairs, but their longer coats can come with some distinct advantages. Here are some answers to common questions about Weimaraners with long hair.

What Do Long Haired Weimaraners Look Like?

Long hairs look somewhat different from the classic shorthair with a single coat and short fur. A long hair Weimaraner typically has both an undercoat and an overcoat. Their coat will lie flat, but they tend to have some feathering along the lower chest, belly, and legs. Hair tends to get longer around the neck, ears, and shoulders. A long hair Weimaraner tail also has a feathered, plume-like appearance, and they normally are not docked. Despite these differences, long hairs still maintain the classic Weimaraner shape. They tend to have a trim yet muscular body with an upright head and a straight back.

Is There a Difference Between Long Hair and Stockhaar Weimaraners?

Many people get confused about the distinction between long hair and stockhaar Weimaraners. A stockhaar is essentially a dog with a coat that contains both long hair and shorthair characteristics. Some Stockhaars have coats that look a little curly or wavy, and they typically have longer hairs along the tail, ears, neck, and shoulders. Stockhaar Weimaraners might look like they have long hair, but they tend to have a single coat with less hair along the legs and rear. Stockhaars are generally quite rare, but they can occur.

What Breeding Leads to a Weimaraner With Long Hair?

Long hairs are a relatively new variant of the breed. Some people purposefully breed to get long hairs, but they can randomly show even if both parents are shorthairs. The long hair gene is recessive in Weimaraners. This means that two long hair parents will always have long hair progeny. It is also possible for two shorthairs to have a mixed litter with both long hair and shorthair puppies if both of the parents carry the recessive long hair gene.

What Colors Do Long Hair Weimaraners Come In?

As most Weimaraner enthusiasts know, Weimaraners can be greys with a traditionally warm, greyish taupe coat, or they can be blues with a cool-toned, blue grey color. Long hairs can be any color that a normal Weimaraner can have. Therefore, it is possible to have dark blues and greys that also have long hair. Due to the genetics behind both blue coats and long hair coats, it is a little rare to see a blue long hair Weimaraner. They typically must be intentionally bred by a person who desires a blue long hair.

How Are Long Hairs Classified by Kennel Clubs?

Long haired Weimaraners are a recognized variant by most associations. The United Kennel Club just removed the disqualification against Long hairs a few years back, so it is now allowed among show dogs. Show Weimaraners with a long haired coat are a little less likely to win, but they are beginning to place as the variant becomes more popular. However, the American Kennel Club still disqualifies long hairs from shows. Though long hairs may not be the ideal configuration for show in some regions, they can still be registered as purebred Weimaraners.

What Are the Benefits of Long Hair for Weimaraners?

If you plan to spend a lot of time with your Weimaraner outdoors, a long haired dog is often a good thing. The thicker coat protects the dogs delicate skin from any underbrush or thorns that could cut them, and some dog owners find that long haired Weimaraners are less likely to get sunburnt. Having long hair also helps to prevent the weimaraner tendency to get white patches from any scarring. Many pet owners appreciate the silky feel and feathery look of a Weimaraner with a long coat.

Weimaraners are often called the “gray ghost” dog breed due to their signature grey shade. It is true that the breed tends to have greyish coats, but Weimaraner colors actually contain quite a lot of variety. They come in many shades and hues, and some Weimaraners may even have markings and patterns. All of these different colors can lead to some confusion, since certain shades may not be eligible for certain shows.

The Most Common Weimaraner Colors

Weimaraners are traditionally a grey color, so this is typically considered to be the most desirable shade for show dogs. The most popular shade for a Weimaraner is called grey, but it is technically the result of a very diluted brown coat that is thin enough to show some of the underlying color of the dog’s skin. This leads to quite a few variances, so there are three main shades of grey for Weimaraners.

Deer Grey

Deer grey is the lightest version of grey that you can see in a Weimaraner. This color is somewhat like a pale greyish beige, so some deer grey weimaraners may have an almost golden appearance.

Silver Grey

Silver grey is typically the most common Weimaraner color. It is a medium shade of warm grey that gives the dog a classic appearance. In many cases, a silver grey Weimaraner coat will catch the light in a way that gives the dog a slightly metallic appearance.

Mouse Grey

Mouse grey is a very deep shade of taupe that can veer more towards brown than grey in color. These weimaraners are sometimes mistakenly called black or blue, but they are still technically a type of grey.

Unusual Colors for Weimaraners

Though Weimaraners are typically grey, other shades are not unheard of. Many Weimaraners are Blues, which is a weimaraner with a diluted black coat instead of a diluted brown coat. Just like a grey Weimaraner, blue Weimaraner colors come in a variety of dark and light shades. They can be a pale blue, or a deep blue color. However, their fur will have a much cooler tone than a grey Weimaraner, so they will appear to be a muted blue grey instead of a soft grey taupe.

The status of blue Weimaraners is somewhat contested. They can be registered as purebred Weimaraners by both the AKC and the UKC. However, keep in mind that the American Kennel Club does not allow owners to show their blue Weimaraners. A blue can compete in field events, or United Kingdom shows, but they cannot compete in the show ring.

Colors for Weimaraner Markings

Depending on the size and shade of a mark, a Weimaraner may be disqualified from showing or have points taken off their score. However, markings are very common among the breed, so they can still be registered as purebreds, and most litters will have one or two puppies without a solid coat.

White

White markings commonly occur on the chest or feet. A small white mark on the chest or pasterns is still considered standard. Some Weimaraners have larger markings though, such as a thick white stripe along the chest, that may disqualify them from showing.

Tan

Many Weimaraners have a coat with tan points. This is called “the mark of the hound.” Light tan patches typically occur along the muzzle, chest, ears, and feet. The tan markings are often so light that they blend into the coat of grey Weimaraners. However, they stand out more on darker blues and mouse grey shades. In some Weimaraners, these patches may be bold enough that the dog is confused with a Doberman.

Age Lightening

As the dog ages, it is common for areas of its coat to become lighter. Weimaraners get lighter muzzles like most other breeds, but they are also known for getting a lighter patch on the back of their head between their ears. This is called a “Grafmar’s Cap,” and it may lighten until it appears almost white.

Piebalds

Random genetic mutations can affect Weimaraner colors, so it is possible for a purebred Weimaraner to be born with piebald markings. These are thick white patches or speckles that will disqualify the dog from being shown.