Weimaraner
| Recognized By: |
AKC
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ANKC
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APRI
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CKC
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FCI
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KCGB
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NKC
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NZKC
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UKC
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| AKA: |
Weimaraner Vorstehhund, Gray Ghost, Weims, Weim |
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| Mispellings: |
Weimanaraner, Weimaramer, Weimaranaer, Weimararner, Weimareiner, Weimarener, Weimariener, Weimeraner, Weimereiner, Weimerener, Wemiaraner, Wiemarainar, Wiemaraner, Wiemarener, Wiemeramer, Wiemerener, Wiemerianer, Wiernamer, Wiemeriner, Wimeriner |
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Caring for a Weimaraner
Feeding: The Weimaraner should be fed their daily allotment in several small meals as they are prone to bloat.
Living with a Weimaraner
Temperament: The Weimaraner is a happy, affectionate, intelligent dog.
Family Dog: The Weimaraner makes a great family dog and actually needs to live indoors with the family. They are typically good with children but are not recommended for very young children because of their size and energy level.
Shedding: The Weimaraner is an average shedder.
Grooming: The coat of the Weimaraner is easy to groom. It should be brushed with a firm bristle brush and cleaned with a dry shampoo occasionally. They should be bathed with a mild shampoo only when necessary. Rub the coat with a chamois to make the coat shine.
Training: The Weimaraner needs firm and consistent training from a young age. They are typically quick learners but can be resistant to repetitive training. They need to be well socialized as a pup.
Exercise: The Weimaraner is a working dog who has superb stamina. They require long daily walks and ample time to run. Care should be taken not to exercise them right after eating. If not given enough exercise they can become very rambunctious.
Living Conditions: The Weimaraner can live in an apartment provided they are properly exercised. They should have at least a large yard in which to run.
Weimaraner Appearance
Appearance: The Weimaraner is a medium sized, balanced dog with a gray coat and graceful appearance.
Size: The male Weimaraner is between 25 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 55 to 70 pounds. Females range from 23 to 25 inches tall with an average weight of 50 to 65 pounds.
Head: The head of the Weimaraner should be moderately long with a moderate stop and slight median line which extends over the forehead. The length from the tip of the nose to stop is approximately equal to the distance from stop to occipital bone.
The Weimaraner has a kind, intelligent expression.
Nose: The nose of the Weimaraner is gray in color.
Eyes: The eyes of the Weimaraner are a light shade of amber, gray or blue-gray. They should be set far enough apart to give a look of intelligence. When the dog is excited the eyes may appear almost black.
Ears: The Weimaraner has long ears that are set high on the head and slightly folded.
Teeth/Bite: The Weimaraner's teeth are strong and even. The jaw is well-developed jaw meeting in a scissors bite with the upper teeth fitting slightly over the lower teeth.
Neck: The neck of the Weimaraner is moderately long and clean cut.
Body: The body of the Weimaraner should be strong and moderate in length with a slight slope from the withers. The chest should be deep and well developed with well laid back shoulders, well sprung ribs and a brisket that extends to the elbows. There stomach should be firm with moderate tuck-up.
Forequarters: The front legs of the Weimaraner are straight and strong. The elbow should be approximately halfway up the leg with the distance from it to the ground being approximately equal to the distance from it to the top of the shoulders.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters of the Weimaraner are muscular with well-angulated stifles and straight hocks.
Gait: The Weimaraner should have a smooth and effortless gait. When seen from the rear, the front and rear feet should appear parallel. The topline should remain strong and level throughout the gait.
Feet: The feet of the Weimaraner are firm and compact with well arched webbed toes, thick pads, and short gray or amber nails. The dewclaws should be removed.
Tail: The tail of the Weimaraner should be docked so that it will be approximately 6 inches in length when the dog is fully grown. It should be carried such that it expresses confidence.
Color: The coat of the Weimaraner can come in any shade of gray from mouse to silver gray. The ears and head are usually lighter than the rest of the body. There may be a small white marking on the chest.
Coat: The coat of the Weimaraner is short, smooth and sleek.
Weimaraner Facts
Category: Gun Dog, AKC Sporting
Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy of the Weimaraner is about 10 to 12 years.
Characteristics: The Weimaraner is very loyal and brave with a strong prey instinct. They can be reserved with strangers and protective of their territory.
Weimaraner Health
Health: The Weimaraner is prone to bloat, hypertropic osteodystrophy and tumors. They are also susceptible to hip dysplasia, the occurrence of which has been greatly reduced.
Weimaraner History
History: The Weimaraner breed is a few centuries old dating back to the early 1600s where one was found in a Van Dyck painting. The origin of the Weimaraner is not well known. Some people believe they are the result of albinism that overtook some of the ancient German pointing dogs. Another group believes they are descendants of the German hound. There are others that believe that the Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar created them by breeding a standard Pointer with a Yellow Pointer. They were bred as a pointer and hunting dog and were originally used to hunt big game. They adapted to hunt smaller game including birds over time. They can retrieve in the water provided they know how to swim which some may need to be taught. They have been used as rescue and service dogs for the disabled as well as police dogs in England and Germany. The Weimaraner was first brought to the United States in 1929 by Howard Knight who later went on to found the U.S. breed club.
