| Training | |
| Sensitivity to strangers | |
| Affection for family | |
| Suitable for first-time owners | |
| Ease of grooming | |
| Energy level |
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The Weimaraner is the dog from the forest: it is a breed with French and German origins.
It is named after the city of Weimar, and this is why it is believed its origins might be German. We are talking about the XVIII century, the times of the Court of Weimar. The Great Duke Karl August used to hunt with these dogs in the Thuringian Forest, in the city of Weimar, now the state of Thuringia. This is why the Weimaraner is also known by the name “Weim” and it is also called “grey ghost”.
The origin of this breed is still a mystery, because the traces were erased by German culture. It seems Germany was the crossbreeding land, but actually, this breed originated in France. During the XIII century, Louis IX returned from Africa with the Grey Dog (Chien Gris) from Saint Louis, the ancestor to the Weimaraner, a hunting dog which was very attached to his owner.
The Grey Dog is represented in many paintings from the XVII century, and it was illustrated by painters such as Anton Van Dick and Van Baptiste Oudry. Unfortunately, due to the war almost all the specimens bred until then disappeared.
The Weimaraner was officially recognized in the year 1897 in Germany.
Weimaraner: Characteristics
The Weimaraner has a slim, large and muscular build, a well proportioned, long nose and very large ears too.
We are talking about a dog of medium-large size, that stands at 24 inches (60 cm) at the withers and almost never weighs more than 88 lb (40 kg). It is basically a setter and this is quite evident, because its body is a bit thin and it has well developed muscles.
Among its impressive physical features that characterizes this beautiful dog, we find the eyes which have an amazing color. In adult specimens they are amber, but puppies present very piercing blue-colored eyes.
Weimaraner: Varieties
The standard is classified into two types:
- Weimaraner with long fur: long and straight of about 1-2 inches (3-5 cm).
- Weimaraner with short fur: short, dense and thin.
Different Grey Tonalities
- Platinum Grey
- Deer Grey
- Mouse Grey, as many transitions between each tone.
Generally, the head and ears are of a lighter shade. The standard admits white markings, but they are small and they are located on their chest and fingers.
The fur is almost always grey, but there are few specimens, not quite common, of a blueish color.
Weimaraner: Temperament
The Weimaraner is a territorial dog and it is well prepared to be a great guardian, watching over and defending its family to which it is highly attached.
It is a cautious dog, and very obedient. It will be easy to educate and train. It is recommended to train it when it is still a puppy so it is socialized with other dogs and people. This is a great way to avoid aggressive behavior in its adulthood.
Proper training will be useful to curb its hunting instinct, and to help it control its energy and exuberance.
Leaving a Weimaraner home alone, without adequate training, might come with surprises such as damaged furniture or bite marks. Its character and predisposition to learn makes it the perfect therapy dog.
Other Aspects to the Weimaraner Character
It is a dog filled with energy, so get ready to take it for long walks and have it run freely outside, this is due to its DNA, since it is a hunting dog. It needs to exercise and plenty of playtime is recommended.
If they are well socialized they will enjoy the company of other people, they are very social, so it is not recommended to leave them alone all day outside, because over time they might build a bad mood and become sad. By being a hunting dog they need a wide space to pour their adventurous nature.
Its hunting past predisposes the dog to this kind of activities, they are specially adequate for hunters who look for a partner who will not wander too far and who will show resistance during the hunt.
Nevertheless, they are magnificent companion dogs and they are able to perform wonderfully in other activities such as:
- Pet Therapy
- Law Enforcement Assistance
- Agility
- Patrol and land vigilance
Weimaraner: Health
The Weimaraner are most affected by diseases such as:
- Canine Hip Dysplasia
- Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), also referred as Torsion or Bloat
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Torsion is a frequent disease in large sized dogs, and in most cases, it causes their death, a timely vet intervention can make all the difference.
- Hip Dysplasia is associated with the incorrect development of the joint, which can later cause joint cartilage erosion. It causes tremendous pain and great difficulty in body movements. It may require a vet surgery, and in the most extreme cases, using prosthetics is necessary.
- Von Willebrand disease is caused by a gene located in chromosome 12. It is a protein deficiency, known as glycoprotein which is essential for blood clotting.
Weimaraner: Relationship with Owner
This is a very sensitive and loving dog, get ready to have it by your side because it develops a special attachment to their owner.
It is an extremely smart and clever dog, the owner must not feel overwhelmed by this. They need to move around a lot, which makes them a bad fit for people with a sedentary lifestyle. They are also not recommended for people with limited spaces or people with little time to let the Weimaraner do outdoor activities.
Weimaraner: Relationship with Kids
Their nose can show when they are loving, just like in its origins, their sweetness prevails and they know how to be patient towards children. They are adequate for families and they are ideal as playful company for the little ones around the house.
Weimaraner: Relationship with other Dogs
They tend to be untrusting, so socialize them since puppyhood with people and other dogs, this will calm them and help prevent aggressive behavior.
Weimaraner: Breeders
Buying a Weimaraner from an official breeder can guarantee its pedigree and it also ensures you have a domesticated dog. A well trained specimen can prevent trouble at home and it will protect your decorative ornaments and furniture of any size from any damage that may be caused by your dog.
Weimaraner: Price, and Puppies For Sale
The price for a Weimaraner Puppy can vary from 900 to 1400 dollars and from 800 to 1200 English pounds. The final cost depends on the guarantee offered by the breeder about the health of the puppy.
Generally, we have seen they suffer from some conditions and it is important to ask the breeder for complete pedigree papers.
Now that we have cleared all the most important aspects, you can go on and find your new four-legged friend, who is surely waiting for you.
Weimaraner: Interesting Facts
By the mid 20th century, the Weimaraner had its peak in the United States, and they became quite popular within upper class society. Celebrities like Grace Kelly and president Eisenhower had one of these “silver dogs”.
Another peculiar fact about the Weimaraner is that their eyes change color as they grow, which are blue while they are puppies, and they turn amber when they grow older.
You may be interested in reading another article related to other dog breeds such as:
- Sussex Spaniel
- Japanese Spitz
- Alabai
- Dalmatian
- Caucasian Shepherd
- Bullmastiff
- Newfoundland
- Scottish Deerhound
- Vizsla
- Kai Ken
