The Weimar or Weimaraner is one of the most elegant dog breeds due to its stylized figure and spectacular beauty Its most characteristic feature it's the greyish fur that makes him truly unmistakable, but his personality is also one of his most prized features. His aptitudes have made him stand out as one of the best qualified dogs for hunting but, nevertheless and fortunately, today he is an excellent pet apart from this questionable hobby.
Nicknamed the "grey ghost", this dog offers us a friendly and patient character as well as enviable physical characteristics, perfect for active and dynamic families. Although there are short-haired and long-haired Weimaraner dogs, they are all united in the same breed.
In this tab on our site we will detail with you everything about the Weimaraner or Weimaraner, whether about its history, temperament possesses or its physical characteristics. If you are thinking of adopting a dog of this breed, do not hesitate to find out about it since it is a special animal that requires specific care.
Origin of the Weimaraner
Although dogs similar to the Weimaraner are shown in paintings and prints prior to the year 1800, the history is unknown and, although there has been much speculation on the subject, none of the proposed hypotheses can be confirmed with certainty. However, from the 19th century the story is well known. At the beginning of that century, the Grand Duke Carl Augustus ruled the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, in what is now part of Germany. Carlos Augusto was a nobleman very fond of big game hunting and in one of his many hunts he met the ancestors of the current Weimaraner.
So strong was the impression these gray and robust dogs made on the Grand Duke that he decided to develop a very versatile breed of dog for hunting. Furthermore, he decreed that these dogs could only be bred by the nobility and used for huntingTherefore, the breed remained almost unknown to the people. In those times, the Weimaraner was used mainly for hunting big game. Hence its strong temperament and greater aggressiveness than other current sample breeds.
At the end of the 19th century, the German Weimaraner Club was formed, a club where the breed was kept in the hands of a few breeders, prohibiting the sale of these dogs to people who did not belong to it. Therefore, the breed was developed amonghunters very busy selecting dogs based on their hunting abilities.
With the passage of time and the invasion and destruction of the habitat of large game species, hunting was oriented mainly towards small prey, such as rodents and birds. Thus, thanks to their versatility, Weimaraners went from being big game dogs to pointer dogs
In the middle of the 20th century, the Weimaraner left its native region thanks to Howard Knight, a fan of the breed and a member of the German Weimaraner Club, who brought some specimens to the United States. This happened in 1928 and that was the crucial moment for the race to gain more prominence in other regions Later it gradually spread to different parts of the globe until it became a race known all over the world.
Today the Weimaraner is used as a search and rescue dog, participates in dog sports, has an important presence in dog shows and is an excellent pet in many homes.
Characteristics of the Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a handsome, slender, medium to large dog. The best-known variety of this breed is the short-haired one, but there are also long-haired ones. He is strong and muscular, as well as athletic. Some of the characteristics of the Weimaraner dog are the following:
- The length of his body is slightly greater than his height.
- Height is between 59 and 70 centimeters in males, according to the FCI standard, while females can reach a height of 57 to 65 centimeters.
- The weight of males ranges from 30 to 40 kilograms. The ideal weight of females ranges from 25 to 35 kilograms.
- The back is relatively long and the croup is slightly sloping.
- The chest is deep, reaching almost to the elbows, but not very wide. The lower line rises slightly to the level of the belly.
- The head is wider in males than in females, but in both cases it is in perfect harmony with the rest of the body. In the middle of the forehead there is a cleft, but the naso-frontal depression (stop) is not very pronounced.
- The nose of the Weimaraner is flesh-colored, but gradually turns gray towards the base.
- Eyes are light to dark amber in adults, with an expressive gaze. In puppies the eyes are blue.
- The ears are wide and long and hang down on the sides of the head.
- The tail of the Weimaraner is strong and set a little below the dorsal line. When the dog is active it carries it horizontally or slightly raised, but at rest it carries it hanging. Traditionally was amputated at a third of its length, but fortunately today that is not a requirement of the FCI standard and is considered Illegal in most countries
Weimaraner colors
The Weimaraner's coat can be short or long, depending on the breed the dog belongs to. In the short-haired variety, the outer coat is strong, dense and close to the body. In this variety there is almost no internal fleece. In contrast, in the longhaired variety, the outer coat is long and soft, and there may or may not be an undercoat. In both varieties the color should be silver gray, deer gray, mouse gray or any transition between these shades.
Weimaraner character
The Weimaraner is a very dynamic, curious, intelligent and loyal dog If we decide to adopt a dog of this breed, we will be surprised by its character sweet and dedicated as well as his patience and kindness. Precisely because of this positive character, the Weimaraner is one of the most recommended breeds for families with older children or young families and, people in general, with an active and stimulating pace of life
That does not mean that they are not appropriate dogs to live with small children, but in this case it will be advisable to always supervise both members of the family to prevent the abrupt movements and temperament of the Weimaraner from causing damage. inadvertently hurting little ones On the contrary, it is not an appropriate breed for sedentary people.
An important thing to mention is that their hunting instincts are strong and easily surfaced. You will soon discover his fondness for games of fetch and his fixation on toys with sounds.
On the other hand, the Weimaraner can be a somewhat suspicious dog and shy around strangers, especially if we don't properly work on socialization, a process in their education that we will talk about later. Precisely because of this reserved nature, it is common for Weimaraners to effusively alert their owners to the presence of any stranger in the home.
Weimara Pointer Care
The Weimaraner's coat, both short-haired and long-haired, is relatively easy to care for, as it does not require special care. In this way, the care of the Weimaraner dog is:
Brushed
Regular brushing is necessary to remove dead hair and prevent tangles in the long-haired variety. You only have to bathe the dog with the appropriate frequency (between one and two months is usual) but we must also bathe him if he is excessively dirty. Remember that excessive use of chemical products damages the dermis of our best friend, so it is not advisable to abuse the bathroom.
Exercise
It is important to highlight that the pointer needs a lot of exercise and company Its origins as a hunting dog have provided it with great resistance, temperament and instinct predator, so it needs to run freely in safe areas on an almost daily basis. Playing fetch is undoubtedly one of the most recommended activities, but you can also discover other exercises for adult dogs such as Agility, running or swimming. Remember that it is a dog with great emotional needs so it is not advisable to leave it alone for long periods each day or confine it in a garden.
You can discover more Exercises for adult dogs in this other post that we recommend.
Walks
Given its great need for exercise, the Weimaraner is not a recommended dog for apartment living, although it can get used to it if it receives two to three long walks dailyIf you live in the city, it is also advisable to go with him to the forest for excursions. New experiences will provide the stimulation he needs to stay happy
Weimara Pointer Education
The Weimaraner's education begins from his early childhood, when he imitates his mother and siblings, learning to relate to them correctly. Later on, and when they are absent, it will be essential to continue with the socialization process which after three months of life becomes fundamental. You should introduce him to other dogs, people, animals and surroundings on a daily basis, thus avoiding future fears or negative attitudes typical of poor socialization.
Although they are not easy to train dogs, if we start early, our pointer can learn everything necessary, such as learning to urinate in the street or basic obedience commands. For this, it is best to use positive reinforcement, that is, reward our dog whenever he does something correctly. We can do it with treats, caresses or words of encouragement. Remember that positive reinforcement encourages them to learn more and better.
When a Weimaraner is well educated and socialized, behavior and temperament problems do not usually appear. However, if the dog does not receive enough physical and mental exercise, in addition to a lot of company, it can become barking and destructive In these cases we will act quickly offering varied activities, affection and active exercise.
Apart from socialization and basic obedience, it will be important to continue educating our Weimaraner with new tricks, advanced commands and even initiation into Agility, a physical activity that combines exercise and intelligence, very recommended in this breed.
You can find more information in these other posts on our site on How to properly socialize a puppy? u Basic commands for dogs.
Weimara Pointer He alth
The Weimaraner is undoubtedly one of the he althiest dog breeds and less prone to hereditary diseases. Even so, the Weimaraner is very prone to gastric torsion, so exercise should be avoided immediately before and after eating. Other diseases that occur in this breed with some frequency are:
- Spinal dysraphism
- Hip dysplasia
- Entropion
- Hemophilia A
- von Willebrand disease
To ensure the good he alth of your Weimaraner, it is essential that you visit the vet approximately every six months. In this way, the specialist will be able to detect any illness or he alth problem promptly and improve treatment expectations. It will also be necessary to correctly follow your vaccination schedule and the regular deworming that you must follow. If you follow our advice you will enjoy a he althy and he althy dog for a long time.
You can learn more about the most common diseases in Weimaraner dogs and how often to deworm a dog? in these other articles that we recommend.
Where to adopt a Weimaraner or Weimaraner?
Although the Weimaraner dog has gained great popularity and spread across different regions, it is also true that being able to adopt a Weimaraner can be a more difficult task. Some animal protectors, associations and shelters do have this breed, although it may be more complicated than it seems. In Spain we can highlight:
- SOS Weimaraner: a shelter that rescues dogs of this breed and gives them the necessary veterinary care and treatment. First they look for a temporary foster home for our furry friend until they find a family that will adopt him permanently.
- Weimaraner Rescue: a completely voluntary, non-profit association. It is also dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and giving homes to braco dogs, whether they are Weimar or German, French and even crossbreeds.
