Weimaraner: characteristics and description of the breed

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Other breed names:

Weimar pointer

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The Weimaraner is Germany's sleek and fast "Grey Ghost" beloved by hunters and pet owners for its friendliness, obedience and beauty. These dogs enjoy playing sports and also spending a lot of time with their owners.

The Weimaraner was originally designed to handle large game such as deer and bears. At first, the Silver Ghost was a very popular dog only in his native Germany. Today, these graceful but demanding dogs can still be found on hunting grounds, but are used more as pets if trained well.

History of the breed

There are several theories about the origin of this amazing breed. The Weimar Pointer received official recognition in the 19th century, but the first mention of this breed dates back to the 13th century. According to the records of those years, representatives of this noble breed were the favorites of the noble class.

After an unsuccessful crusade, the French king Louis IX returned to his homeland with a pack of blue-gray dogs. The animals were instantly awarded the status of blue bloods. At that time they were called the dogs of Saint Louis - Chiens gris de St-Lois.

Chiens gris de St-Lois

Another origin story for the breed is that Weimaraners were specifically bred in the suburbs of Weimar (hence the name) in East Germany. The first information about this appeared in 1850. Initially, large game was hunted with the “silver trait,” but over time, the purpose of the breed alone (for hunting) was not enough.

According to the idea of ​​Duke Karl August, it was decided to create an “extended” version of the breed, that is, add several new functions to it. The goal was to get a dog that combines speed, endurance, the ability to work in the field and be a faithful companion. To achieve his goal, he mixed several other breeds with Weimaraners.

For quite a long time these dogs were not officially recognized. The animals were perceived as a crossbreed or a cull. In 1880 they first participated in the Berlin exhibition. It was only in 1896 that the commission recognized the Weimaraner as an independent breed.

Meanwhile, several hunters organized the German Weimaraner Club, whose purpose was to breed dogs for hunting, but not for sale. In this regard, they established a rule that no one could buy a dog without becoming a member of the club. The first Weimaraner standard was soon written, but it was not officially developed until 1925. In 1969, the International Canine Organization registered the breed.

History of the origin of the Weimaraner

The history of the Weimaraner dates back to the early 19th century, when the breed was first developed in Germany. Although many of the finer details of the early development of the Weimaraner breed are vague, over the subsequent century theories have emerged that attempt to fill in the gaps.

A key figure in the early history of the Weimaraner was the Grand Duke of Germany, Karl August, who developed the breed in the city of Weimar. The Duke, like many European nobles of that time, was an avid hunter. His dream was to develop the perfect hunting dog. In pursuit of this, he is said to have crossed Bloodhounds with various German and French hunting dogs. The result was the Weimaraner.

Interesting Fact: Some researchers have indicated that the Weimaraner is actually a species of the Old European Braque. Somewhere in between this theory lies the idea that the Weimaraner is actually a cross between many German hunting breeds that were all mixed together to produce a balanced result.

Duke and his fellow soldiers initially used these unique-looking dogs as big-game hunters, pursuing bears, mountain lions and wolves. As the population of these predators declined in Europe, the Weimaraner found a new niche as an all-around hunter that locates and takes down wild birds.

The Weimaraner is classified as a hunting gun dog. In the early years, the official name of the breed was "Weimar Pointer". Dogs became popular in the old German court because of their ability to provide quality service and their ability to do many different things. The Weimaraner was a jealously guarded secret among the German aristocracy for many years, and breeding examples of the breed only began to spread around the world in the late 1920s.

History of the origin of the species

The origin of the Weimar cop goes back to ancient times. There are many legends about the origin of these dogs. The main reason is that King Louis IX of France, after his captivity in Egypt, brought with him a pack of gray dogs, the ancestors of the Weimaraner. Soon the nobility liked them.

The dogs were nicknamed “silver ghosts” for the incredible speed they developed while hunting. In addition to their professional mission - driving animals, Weimar cops became companions, accompanying wealthy people to receptions.

The breed received its name in honor of the German city in which it was bred . The official date of its appearance is considered to be 1896, when these dogs were first presented at the exhibition. The breed standard was established in 1925, but official recognition occurred only in 1944.

In the 50s of the 20th century in the United States, Weimaraners experienced a peak in popularity and became the favorite breed of President Dwight Eisenhower.

Weimaraner - description of the breed

The Weimaraner looks fit and athletic. The dog is of medium height and can even be taller, of proportional build, with distinct and curved body lines. Weimaraners are excellent swimmers, as evidenced by their webbed feet. Males, recognizable by their characteristic silver-gray color, reach 59-71 cm at the withers, and females - 56-66 cm.

The weight of males varies from 30-40 kg, and females 25-35 kg. A properly bred Weimaraner will be solid in color with a subtle white patch on the chest. A face with round amber or blue-gray eyes framed by long velvet ears looks intelligent. Overall, the breed presents a picture of streamlined grace and balance. A well-groomed Weimaraner is a breathtaking sight.

Fun fact: Weimaraners are great with children and long to be part of the family. Their easy grooming, trainability, loving nature and caring attitude make them excellent pets if owners are committed to keeping them physically and mentally active.

The head is proportional to the body. The forehead is flat, with a straight groove. The occipital protuberance protrudes a little. The cheekbones are clearly expressed. The muzzle is elongated, graceful, straight, sometimes with a hump. The upper lip hangs down slightly, covering the lower jaw and creating a fold at the corners of the mouth. The ears are wide and long, set high. The nose is dark brown in color, gradually becoming grayish. The eyes are round.

The case is strong. The neck is strong, muscular and set high. The chest is wide, the ribs are quite convex. Strong back, muscular and elongated. The tail is set high, hangs down when calm, and is parallel to the ground when moving. The legs are toned, muscular, and of regular shape.

Popular Weimaraner colors

This breed's unusual coat color and extraordinary eyes give it a characteristic regal appearance. The wool itself does not require special care. Short, hard and smooth to the touch, it can range from deep blue to dark gray and silver gray. Where fur is thin or absent, such as inside the ears or on the lips, the skin should be pinkish rather than white or black. This breed does not have an undercoat, so hypothermia should be avoided. The color of the Weimaraner's coat led to its nickname "Grey Ghost".

In November 2009 and 1 January 2010, the United Kennel Club (UKC) lifted the disqualification for both blue and longhaired Weimaraners. Black fur remains an automatic disqualification, although small white markings on the chest area only are permitted. Dogs with blue coats are disqualified from competition, but are recognized as purebred Weimaraners by the AKC.

Interesting fact: The longhair variety is recognized by most clubs around the world, except the American Kennel Club. The long-haired Weimaraner has a silky coat with a bushy tail. The gene is recessive, so when bred, long-haired puppies will only be born if both parents have this trait.

There is another occasional variety where the dog is gray in color but with faint brown markings (similar to the Doberman Pinscher). Weimaraners may have several unique physical characteristics, such as small lobes on the inside of the ear.

Character and habits of Weimaraners

The Weimaraner is a highly intelligent and confident hunting dog that tracks and kills prey on command. The dog is suspicious of strangers and needs time to get close to new people. The defense reflex is very strong, and a confident dog will not hesitate for a second to protect its family or its territory.

Weimaraners are not a breed for everyone. If you decide to get a dog for the first time, you should think twice before making this serious choice. Weimaraners have a lot of energy and need a lot of exercise. Without this, they may become nervous and agitated. Their enormous amount of energy and intelligence will allow them to explore the surrounding area.

If not trained and controlled, they will chase and kill anything that resembles prey, including cats and small dogs, mice, frogs, birds, etc. They will then proudly display their trophies. They will also chase running people and cyclists.

Fun fact: Despite their hunting instincts, Weimaraners are domestic dogs. Their small coats are not suitable for living in a kennel or being in a backyard with minimal human interaction.

Weimaraners have independent thinking and will test their owners, finding out the limits of what is permitted. If you haven't owned a Weimaraner before, but want to get this breed, learn more about it and attend special dog classes with a trainer. Teaching should be gentle and firm because rough handling will cause resentment.

The Weimaraner dog can be a personal hunting companion, a competitive agility dog, and a good family friend. This dog is very affectionate and with good training can be a great lifelong partner.

Mating

1. For help in choosing a pair for your pet, it is better to contact experienced breeders. They will tell you what to look for when casting a future partner. The suitable age for mating an animal is from 1.5-2 years , not earlier. Bringing dogs over 7 years of age is strictly prohibited.
2. Breeding Weimaraners has many pitfalls . For example, great care must be taken when crossing short-haired and long-haired varieties.
3. At a kennel or dog club, professionals will tell you about all the difficulties of mating , pregnancy and childbirth, and will also help you go through these stages as painlessly as possible.
4. It is better to introduce the dogs in advance on a neutral site, but mating takes place exclusively on the territory of the cable 11-14 days after the female starts estrus. After a day or two, a control mating is carried out to guarantee the result.

Interesting facts about Weimaraners

The Weimaraner is an intelligent and affectionate pet that loves to be part of the family. This is a dog that learns quickly and will take a deep interest in understanding what you are trying to teach it.

1. Weimaraners are bred to be energetic and resilient. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation;
2. Weimaraners are not soft-bite dogs like the Golden Retriever. Some do not tolerate small furry animals such as rabbits and even cats and dogs well. Until you know your dog well, keep a close eye on him when small animals are in his presence;
3. Weimaraner puppies have light blue eyes, but as they grow and mature they become amber or blue-gray.;
4. Weims are heavy dogs and can suffer from loneliness. If left alone for too long, they will bark, destroy things, or even hurt themselves;
5. Although Weimaranians are hunting dogs, they do not like to live outside. They require a lot of attention and want to be close to their owner;
6. Weimaraners are often suspicious of strangers and can be overly aggressive. Exposing them to different people and being exposed to different situations when they are puppies and throughout their lives is critical;
7. Weimaranians are smart and often make their own decisions. Consistent training should continue throughout their lives;
8. Unethical breeders may advertise blue or black Weimaraners as “rare” to attract buyers who will pay more for puppies of these colors, but the truth is that blue and black Weimaraners are disqualified from the breed standard;
9. Dogs are smart and can learn quickly, but if their intelligence and energy are not channeled into constructive activities, they may learn some things that the owner did not want them to know, such as how to open a door and escape;
10. Weimaraners are used in missing persons cases and other search and rescue missions because they have an extremely high sense of smell. Their reputation as skilled searchers led to one of them being chosen to search for missile parts during the Cold War.

How to choose a puppy

When buying a Weimaraner from someone else, there is a risk of getting a mixed breed or a sick animal. After all, the Weimar cop is a very rare breed; an ignorant person can easily make a mistake in determining the standards.

To purchase, it is better to consider offers from well-known nurseries. There, each client will be able to receive all the necessary documentation, recommendations and support for the dog. In addition, the buyer will be able to familiarize himself with the puppy’s pedigree and see its parents.

When choosing a Weimaraner puppy, you should pay special attention to its temperament. The cop is already a nimble and active breed; excess energy can add problems to the new owner. True, if a person buys a puppy with the goal of making her a champion of sports competitions, then it is worth considering an overly active baby in this case.

Where to buy and price

The average cost of a Weimaraner in Russia is 40,000 rubles. The price can be significantly higher (up to 75,000), and also much lower (about 10,000 rubles).

Purebred individuals can be offered by specialized nurseries:

• Call of the Fields in Moscow;
• Goddesshunt in Kostroma;
• Karnelian Geliant in Yoshkar-Ola;
• CHKP Weimaraner in Moscow;
• Gern Gross in St. Petersburg.

If a person does not care about the pedigree of a pet, then he can turn his attention to offers from private individuals (in advertisements or on markets). True, in this situation no one can guarantee that the dog did not acquire hereditary diseases from its little-known parents.

Comparison of breeds

Some people compare several breeds when deciding on a breed before purchasing. The Weimaraner and other representatives of the canine world have some similar features:

1. Weimaraner or shorthaired pointer. The latter breed is similar to the pointer, but has a shorter stature (the so-called mini). The shorthaired pointer's character is calmer and more loyal than that of the Weimaraner.
2. Weimaraner or Vizsla. The Hungarian Vizsla is distinguished by its calm disposition, easy-going nature, smaller size and color.
3. Weimaraner or Doberman. The Weimar Pointer is an excellent hunter, while the Doberman is focused primarily on working with people. In addition, the Dober has a lot of black coloring. Weimaraners have lighter shades of coat.

The Weimaraner is an intelligent and instinctively developed dog. They say that a representative of the breed perfectly understands a person at a glance. But a dog can disobey its owner if it is bored. The animal easily finds something to do, even if it is risky - you can’t take away a dog’s hunting spirit.

Pros and cons of Weimaraners

The Weimaraner needs an athletic owner who can meet his exercise needs: running, biking, hiking, jogging, field work. Being confined to a small space for too long leads to hyperactivity and destructiveness, as does being alone too often. A bored Weimaraner will destroy your house and even try to run away in search of adventure.

It exhibits predatory tendencies towards small animals such as cats and rabbits. Most Weimaraners need an owner who can provide leadership, socialization and training beyond the entry level. Although this breed is stubborn, in the right hands he is capable of learning and doing almost anything.

Indeed, a well-chosen owner will find the Weimaraner to be a loyal, aristocratic gentleman with character. A new dog owner who does not have enough time and space for his dog will find him an irritable bully who is difficult to control.

If you want to have a dog that:

• Big, strong and muscular;
• Has a smooth coat that does not require special care;
• Unusual looking, with a ghostly grey/silver coloring, light eyes and long but neatly laid ears;
• Loves to be outdoors, hardy for long runs, hikes and walks;
• In the right hands, a loyal, aristocratic gentleman with great presence and character;
• Alert with strangers, making a good watchdog;
• The Weimaraner attracts people's attention. Their coloring and habits stand out from ordinary dogs.

In this case, the Weimaraner may be the right choice for you.

If you don't want to deal with a dog:

• Vigorous demands for physical activity;
• Roughness and frequent jumping, especially when young;
• Massive destructiveness and barking when bored;
• Suspiciousness or fearfulness towards strangers when they are not well socialized;
• Potential aggression towards other animals;
• A strong-willed mind that requires a confident owner who can take charge.

In this case, the Weimaraner may not be suitable for you.

Breeding Weimaraners

There are many issues to consider before you start breeding this breed. Probably the most important question to ask yourself is: “Why do I want to breed a Weimaraner?” Too many people think that raising a litter of puppies is a quick way to make some money. This is completely wrong! Despite the high price of one puppy on the market, you have to pay a lot to raise a litter of puppies.

Namely:

• Maintenance fee;
• Expenses for veterinary examination before, during and after birth;
• Drug costs;
• Expenses for puppies: food, vaccinations, etc.

The likelihood that the female dog will produce a small litter of only 2 or 3 puppies or require a caesarean section is quite high, which will incur even more expense. In the worst case scenario, you may lose the bitch and the puppies.

Is it worth breeding a Weimaraner? Take a critical look at this decision. Does your female meet the breed standard? Does she have any disadvantages? What is her temperament? Did she suffer from any diseases that the puppies could have inherited? How does she meet the breed standards? And if you don’t know the answer to at least one question, you shouldn’t do it.

Important fact: Breeding is a risky business with so many things that can go wrong. There are many reasons why a bitch may not be able to bear and nurse her puppies, and some females immediately develop an aversion to the puppies and become ill or die as a result of birth complications.

Bottle feeding puppies is a lot of work. A female dog must be two years old before she has a litter. Probably the best age for your first litter is around three years old. Females should not mate after they are 8 years of age and should be a year apart between litters and no more than 3-4 litters in a lifetime.

Do you have enough time? Don't underestimate caring for your offspring. Believe me, it's tiring! You will have to care for them for at least 8 weeks, possibly longer. They can get you up in the middle of the night and make an amazing amount of noise for their size. You will be permanently housebound and will only be able to leave for a few hours unless you have a replacement.

Do you have space? Where will you keep the puppies? During the first weeks, the puppies remain in their crate and are cared for by their mother. But after three weeks they will run around and demand attention. You'll need space. There is more to raising puppies than just feeding and cleaning. You need to implement a socialization program so that the puppies are ready to face the world with confidence and calm.

Caring for Weimaraners

Weimaraners are best suited for active families where at least one person is at home most of the day.

Caring for the breed consists of several aspects:

1. During the first few weeks, take your Weimaraner to the vet for a general check-up;
2. Exercise your dog for at least two hours every day. This dog should run in a large fenced yard or other safe, enclosed area. Take your dog for a run outside the yard only when he is on a leash; these dogs will chase any small animal;
3. Socialize your dog with other animals and people. Weimaraners are hunters and will chase and kill small animals, including cats and small dogs. The breed is also instinctively suspicious of new people;
4. Do not leave your Weimaraner at home alone for long periods of time. The breed is prone to separation anxiety and can destroy a home in an anxiety attack. Train your Weimaraner to be comfortable in a crate during times when you need to leave your dog unattended;
5. Brush your dog using a short-haired brush and clean his ears weekly. Brush your teeth two or three times a week and trim your nails monthly;
6. Bathe your dog every three or four months. If she is a longhaired variety, brush her teeth two to three times a week;
7. Check her eyes, ears and joints. Beware of discharge from the eyes or ears, wax buildup in the ears or foul odor, and any difficulty walking. As is the case with some breeding dogs, Weimaraners can be vulnerable to hip dysplasia. If you notice any of these problems or anything unusual, make an appointment with your veterinarian;
8. Book a series of training sessions. Depending on your experience and the age of the dog, these may be basic classes or advanced training. The training provides mental stimulation and the opportunity to bond with your pet.

Care and maintenance

Weimaraner dogs do not require special care, but the issue of maintenance is quite complex. It is important to remember that your pet has a high level of activity and therefore needs constant physical activity.

The dog loves to play, swim, and do various exercises. The owner of such a dog must be active, since a lazy or too busy owner will not be able to provide the Weimaraner with such conditions.

Properly organized care will ensure your dog good health, energy and a long, happy life. It includes the following procedures:

• combing (a short-haired dog is combed 1-2 times a week, a long-haired dog - every day);
• bathing (once a month);
• cleaning the eyes and ears (once a week, the eyes are washed with chamomile decoction, the ears are wiped with a napkin soaked in warm water);
• brushing teeth (1-2 times a week);
• trimming nails (twice a month);
• deworming (once every three months);
• cleaning paws after outdoor activities (in winter, the pads are lubricated with vegetable oil - this helps prevent the appearance of cracks);
• disease prevention (dogs of this breed are prone to piroplasmosis, so after each walk the animal must be carefully examined for ticks and fleas).

Synchronized feeding
One of the most important components of a pet's health is proper feeding. It is strictly forbidden to feed the Weimaraner food from the owner's table. At will, the owner can give the dog specialized food, preferably super premium or holistic, or feed it natural food. Your pet's diet should include the following products:

• vegetables;
• lean meat (except chicken);
• sea ​​fish;
• risk, buckwheat;
• dairy products;
• cartilage.

Recommended diet – fractional:

• up to the age of 1.5 months, the dog should eat 5-6 times a day;
• at 4 months – 3-4 times;
• at 7 months – 3 times;
• adult pets eat only twice a day.

Weimaraner diet

Weimaraners are generally good eaters. In fact, they eat their lunch and then try to eat the bowl. Owners should use a highly rated food that has a moderately high protein content. If you dilute dry food with canned food or table waste, you need to be very careful. Rich foods can disrupt their digestion. High quality medium breed foods that are not labeled as “low protein” are suitable.

Food should be appropriate for all stages of a dog's life. Large breed foods often contain fewer calories than other dog foods, so it is generally not recommended to feed Weimaraners large breed food. This is not a breed that is particularly prone to obesity. As long as your Weimaraner is exercised regularly, he probably won't gain weight.

Fun fact: A Weimaraner needs 1,688 calories every day. However, a dog that hunts all day or engages in other vigorous activities will need 3,753 calories, depending on the energy used. A young puppy needs about 1,243 calories per day.

Calories should be reduced for dogs that are older, spayed or neutered, and less active. The recommended amount is only a guideline, so it is important that you monitor your dog for weight loss or weight gain and adjust the food accordingly.

Diseases and health problems

Although Weimaraner dogs are healthy and strong, they can suffer from certain genetic problems. If you are considering getting a Weimaraner, it is important to have information about all aspects of the breed's life, including potential health problems that may arise.

The most common Weimaraner diseases include:

1. Hip dysplasia. Individuals with hip dysplasia may or may not have any clinical signs. The disease is believed to be hereditary, with diet, rapid growth and environment contributing to the development of the disease;
2. Bloat or volvulus is a life-threatening condition that can affect large dogs with large chests, especially if they eat a lot of food at one time, eat quickly, drink plenty of water, and exercise vigorously after eating;
3. Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited blood disorder (poor blood clotting). The main symptom is excessive bleeding after injury or surgery;
4. Entropion, a defect that usually appears around six months of age, causes the eyelid to move inward, injuring the eyeball;
5. Factor XI deficiency is another bleeding disorder that is usually mild but can become severe after injury or surgery;
6. Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of thyroid hormone and can cause infertility, obesity, mental dullness and lack of energy. The dog's fur may become rough and brittle and begin to fall out, and the skin may become rough and dark;
7. Retinal atrophy (PRA) is a degenerative eye disease that causes blindness due to the loss of photoreceptors in the back of the eye;
8. Some Weimaraner puppies react to vaccinations with fever, elevated white blood cell counts, and inflamed tissues and joints. Reactions occur most often between 12 and 16 weeks of age. The rabies vaccination can be given at 16 weeks of age.

Possible health problems

Weimaraners are susceptible to hereditary diseases such as:

• mastocytoma (mast cell cancer);
• fibrosarcoma;
• melanoma;
• lipoma;
• myasthenia gravis;
• degenerative myelopathy;

• pododermatitis (interdigital dermatitis);
• entropion (inversion of the eyelid);
• corneal dystrophy;
• distichiasis (extra eyelashes);
• demodicosis

Weimaraners also have joint dysplasia and volvulus.

A visit to the veterinary clinic at the slightest ailment of the dog will help to diagnose and provide assistance in a timely manner. It’s also worth visiting there for the necessary vaccinations that will protect your pet from various infectious diseases common in your area.

In order to avoid digestive problems, you should not neglect deworming medications, which should be given to your dog periodically. And also adhere to proper nutrition.