The Weimaraner is a versatile pointer and hunting dog. Originally, they were intended only for use by royalty to hunt, track, and shoot down large game animals such as boar, bear, elk, and deer. Today the Weimaraner is adapted to hunting small game and upland fowl and is reputed to be an excellent water retriever.
A certain amount of aggression is innate to the breed and they serve well as personal and property protection. They are good pets for families with older children and a firm, experienced trainer.
The appearance
Height: 22-27 inches
Weight: 50-70 pounds
Shelf life: 10-12 years
The Weimaraner is a relatively large dog that is very athletic and muscular. The head is long and aristocratic and the muzzle is strong. The ears are moderately long and hanging. It has long legs with defined muscle tone and webbed feet for swimming. The tail is docked at 1½ inches.
The Weimaraner is nicknamed ‘silver ghost’ or ‘grey ghost’ due to its distinctive bluish-grey color, which is very rare in dogs. Even higher rate is the long-haired variety. The soft, short-haired coat is easy to care for.
field use
Weimaraners were once used for hunting large game. Today, they are primarily used to retrieve and dispose of small animals, but given the chance they will go after larger animals such as deer and even bear, as this dog is fearless. It can hunt well both in water and on dry land.
Although slower than many other hunting dogs, the Weimaraner is an energetic and powerful dog with a good sense of smell. A passionate worker prized for its physical strength and endurance, it can be used for all types of hunting.
At home
The Weimaraner is a loyal companion who will protect his family and chase away or even kill any animal that enters his yard, regardless of size. They are often gentle with children, but are energetic and may accidentally harm younger children due to their enthusiasm for play.
This is not a breed that can be left alone for long periods of time, as they tend to suffer from severe separation anxiety. The Weimaraner also has a tendency to steal food from countertops and chew on furniture if not properly supervised and given a chance to burn off excess energy.
This breed likes to bark and can be combative with other dogs unless properly trained from a young age.
The history
The breed is several centuries old and is believed to have descended from the Mastiff and the Vizsla with albinism as the primary cause of its unusual coloration. Similar dogs date back to the 13th century. These prized dogs lived with the family rather than in kennels, something that was highly unusual at the time. As a result, today’s Weimaraner needs the company of its human owner and will not thrive in a kennel environment.
The name Weimaraner comes from the Grand Duke of Weimar, Karl August, whose court enjoyed hunting. The dogs first came to the United States in the early 20th century, where they soon became a popular hunting dog and family pet.
