The Weimaraner



To describe the unique temperament and qualities of a Weimaraner to someone who has never know one is difficult task. Because of their total devotion to their owners, they can be aloof, cool, and almost snobbish towards strangers.
Only to have spent some time with a Weimaraner can one really appreciate the breed.

Highly intelligent, often times tending to be more human in nature than canine, is an accurate description. Coupled with their intelligence is their ability to be demanding, strong-willed and spiteful. Once you have established who is boss, they are an extremely devoted, responsive friend and companion with an uncanny ability to almost talk with their eyes and expression. They feel they are and should be part of the family and are best suited to this role in life.

Their charismatic, almost human temperament inspires unswerving allegiance and devotion. This can be attested to by the number of phone calls we receive from pet owners who have just lost their Weimaraner. These people, with no interest in the breeding or showing are willing to travel any distance or pay any price to find a successor to their dog. The two phrases most commonly heard are; “he was more than just a dog, he was part of the family” and “He was more than a dog, he was my friend.”

They are a breed that you either love or hate. If you want a dog who is going to be very much part of your life, demanding attention yet repaying you with complete devotion and companionship, you will love the breed. If you want a dog who sits quietly in the corner, waiting until you decide to pet him or say a kind word, you will hate the breed.

Acknowledgement to Judy Colan
Weimaraner Club of the USA
Blue Ribbon Magazine

The Facts

Buying a puppy is a big responsibility and we would like our future puppy buyers to be aware of the breed and the positives and negatives of owning a Weimaraner. So please read the below information.

Facts

Personality: A friendly and alert dog, also loving and full of energy. The Weimaraner takes great joy in pleasing and working with its owner. An obedient breed, the Weimaraner will try to take the upper hand if not properly socialised and trained from an early age.

A great dog for: Singles and families who are active and have the time to offer their dog lots of opportunities for exercise and training. This dog is only for those who want to share their homes with their canine and who want a close-knit relationship with a loyal and energetic pooch.

Favourite activities: Thrives on exercise and obedience training. The Weimaraner will excel at all dog sports and is an especially proficient hunter and tracker. Without the physical and mental stimulation of these activities, this breed will become bored, destructive and unhappy.

Backyard requirements: While this breed does not require a huge backyard, it does need a reasonable amount of room to run around and burn off energy. To prevent your Weimaraner from following an intriguing scent, a fenced yard is a must.

Watchdog qualities: This breed is very wary of strangers and will size them up from a distance. Once the visitor is welcomed, the Weimaraner will be friendly. It is very protective of family members.

The Weimaraner
Sleek and silver, the aristocratic Weimaraner attracts attention wherever it goes. Captivating amber or grey eyes and a stunning silver coat come together in a breed that almost demands respect from owners and passers-by alike. 

But while this dog can come across as noble and aloof, the Weimaraner is actually a down-to-earth, people-loving and affectionate breed that thrives on being part of its human pack. It is definitely not an outside dog and, if left to its own devices and not made to feel part of the family, the Weimaraner will become a sad shadow of its former self. 

This need to be always close to its family was especially noticeable when the Weimaraner was used prolifically as a hunter in the 1800s. Known then as the Forester’s Dog, this breed was always closely bonded with its hunter-master, spending days together with its owner but also resting at night by its master’s side in front of the fireplace. 

Known originally as the Weimar Pointer and used by German hunters to hunt big game, the Weimaraner was later used more for retrieving and tracking. Unlike some hunting dogs, the Weimaraner enjoyed hunting not only for the hunting itself, but because it was an activity shared with its owner and one which allowed the two to work closely together. 

“This is a real companion dog,” It will want to be where you are. In fact, the thing I love most about this dog is its companionship — your Weimaraner will just love you. It’s not particularly a one-person dog; it will love the whole family.” 

If you want a dog that will be happy left alone, the Weimaraner’s not for you. But if it’s close-knit companionship you’re after and a dog that may never leave your side, this breed will probably hit the spot.
However, as with all dogs, training and socialisation are a must; the Weimaraner will definitely need obedience training. 

This dog needs to know its place in the family — and that its place is last! The breed is extremely clever and will learn quickly if taught appropriately. 

Because of the Weimaraner’s natural hunting instinct, a fenced yard is a must to prevent this pooch from taking off after a scent. Although the Weimaraner is happy to be a lounge lizard, it loves walks and needs opportunities to burn off energy and be mentally stimulated. 

As with all large dogs, no hard exercise should be undertaken until the dog reaches adulthood. Young dogs should never be run or jogged till fully grown. 

The Weimaraner as a multi-purpose dog is very smart, likes to be with people and can be very gentle. 

The Weimaraner is good with children but, as always, supervision is recommended and children and dog need to learn to respect each other. However, it is imperative kids understand dogs, just as dogs must be taught to understand kids. 

While the Weimaraner is clearly not for everyone, we emphasise that, for the right owner, this breed is an honour to live with. Its joy at spending time with its family, its sensitivity to your moods and its loyalty will add a precious spark to each day you spend with your Grey Ghost. 

Breed Care
Daily: The Weimaraner is a high-energy breed that requires a good daily walk or off-leash run each day. However be careful not to over-exercise your young pup. The breed also requires lots of mental stimulation and does not take well to being left alone for long periods of time.
Weekly: A brush with a rubber groom glove to remove loose hairs. Check that ears are free of dirt and check if toenails need clipping.
Monthly: Heartworm, gastrointestinal, flea and tick treatments. The Weimaraner is also a wash-and-wear breed and requires bathing only when necessary 
Regular: Annual vaccinations and positive reinforcement training.

Recommended Reading

Weimaraner Ways - Virginia Alexander & Jackie Isabell - New edition coming out shortly
How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With - Rutherford & Neil
The Mentally Sound Dog - Clark & Boyer
Leader of the Pack - Baer & Duno
Child Proofing Your Dog - Brian Kilcommons
Surviving Your Dog’s Adolescence - Carol Lea Benjamin
Mother Knows Best – The Natural Way to Train your Dog - Carol Lea Benjamin
The Dog Whisperer - Paul Owens
The Culture Clash - Jean Donaldson
The Dog Listener - Jan Fennell
The Other End of the Leash - Patricia A McConnell
The Dog Owner’s Manual - Karen Hedberg
Its Me Or The Dog - Victoria Stillwell 

List of books (C)Greydove