 |
Males: 25-27 inches, Females: 23-25 inches Weight: Males: 70 to 85 pounds, Females: 55 to 65 pounds |
 |
General Appearance:
Weims are medium to large gray dogs with short hair which were bred for hunting ability. The head is moderately long and aristocratic. Ears are long and lobular. The eyes range from light amber to gray or blue gray. The tail is docked to approximately 6” in length. Above all, the dog’s conformation must indicate ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field. Developed in Germany, they came to this country during the middle of the twentieth century.
Personality:
They are known for high activity levels, loyalty to their family and high intelligence. The temperament should be friendly, fearless, alert and obedient. They want to be with their people at all times and to be involved in their activities. Weimaraners cannot be continually housed in a kennel, the backyard or the basement. They are “people dogs.” To have a Weimaraner is to have a second shadow. They insist on being with you as much as possible. This is NO exaggeration. While they do not possess the aggressive personally of a guard dog, they will protect their property by loudly letting you know when a stranger is approaching.
Exercise Requirements:
Weimaraners need lots of exercise. A long walk each day on a leash does not meet their need for exercise. They were bred to have great stamina so that they could hunt all day. They are great companions for the active individual or family.
Grooming:
An occasional bath, brushing, trimming of nails (every couple of weeks) and cleaning of teeth and ears is all that’s required.
Health Problems:
Hip dysplaysia is an occasional problem especially with breeding stock that has not been x-rayed and given a passing rating from the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Bloat (an accumulation of excess gases in the stomach) and torsion (twisting of the stomach) is an occasional cause of death. Most other health problems are in the realm of accidents, including swallowing foreign objects.
Training:
Crate and obedience training are musts for the Weimaraner. Weimaraners physically grow up very quickly and training helps to control their enthusiasm, channel their energy and give them satisfaction that they are doing what you want. While they are very intelligent their attention span can be somewhat short, especially when they are puppies. Training is most successful when it is done in short sessions, firmly, consistently but with a gentle hand. Despite their size and strength Weimaraners are sensitive (especially the males). Heavy corrections will have an adverse impact on the dog’s training program.
Who should own a Weimaraner?
Only people and families who enjoy an active life style with lots of time out of doors. They are excellent companions for runners, walkers and hikers. If hunting is part of your recreation they are an excellent personal gun dog. They are thorough, meticulous hunters with a great nose and natural retrieving instincts. As such they are prone to wander and therefore need to live on a fenced property.
Who should NOT own a Weimaraner?
Weimaraners require a serious time commitment. They do not do well when they have hours of unfilled time on their hands or they will take out their boredom on furnishings, or anything else they see as a source of amusement. They are not a dog that can be relegated to a kennel situation. They are very strong and are not recommended for people who are frail.
How are they with children?
They love their family and are wonderful playmates for children. With very small children they may accidentally knock them over because of their size, strength and quick motions. Their energy level is a good match for that of active kids. Weimaraners are possessive of their children and will protect them if they think they are being threatened. Rough–housing by children who are not members of the family may be interpreted as being a threat and such play between family members and outside children should be supervised.
How are Weimaraners with other pets?
Reactions vary tremendously. Some coexist with cats, birds and other types of pets while other will not tolerate other species. Generally, if a puppy is raised with a cat or kitten they will live together peaceably. You must remember that the Weimaraner is a hunter and therefore you should not put him/her into a situation that would trigger a hunter’s reaction. They might view small animals as game to be hunted.