Weimarane Profile

Other Names:  Weimaraner Voerstehhund, Grey Ghost, Weims

Country of origin: Germany

Dog Group Kennel Club:  Gundog

General appearance:

Weimaraners are medium sized breeds of dog with a recognisable silvery grey coat.  They were developed for hunting large game and have an athletic appearance showing strength and stamina.  Weimaraners have a short and sleek coat although there is a longer coated variety.
 The color ranges from a mouse gray to a silver gray. The distinctive color led to this breed being nicknamed the Silver Ghost or Gray Ghost. The Weimaraner's coat color is a rarity among dog breeds. There are two different varieties, the short-haired and the long-haired, the latter being less common, and, indeed, not accepted in the United States. It is normal for the short-haired to be docked to approximately 15cms and the tail of the long-haired only tipped.

Colours:

Ideally, Weimaraners should be silvery grey.

Size:  

Bitch          56 - 64cms

Dog             61 - 69cms

Weight:

                           Min                 Max
 
Bitch          22kg (48lbs) 22kg (48lbs)

Dog            27kg (60lbs) 27kg (60lbs)

Temperament:

Weimaraners are fast and fearless but can be wary of strangers and very protective of their family.  They can be trained to be obedient dogs and should be socialised to prevent any aggression.  Weimaraners do require substantial amounts of exercise and will often give chase to anything that crosses their path although these instincts can be managed with training. The Weimaraner is happy and cheerful, highly intelligent and loving. They can be very willful and opinionated. This breed exhibits a truly unique personality. They are passionate and reliable. The Weimaraner prefers to live inside as a member of the family. They require companionship and attention and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. 

Movement:

Ground covering and effortless.

Care and training:

The Weimaraner's smooth, short coat is easy to care for. Brushing should be done with a firm bristle brush. They should only be bathed when absolutely necessary. They do well with occasional dry shampooing. They should have their feet and mouth inspected for damage after exercise or work sessions. The Weimaraner is prone to bloating, so small meals two times a day are best. They may suffer from hip dysplasia but are generally healthy. Even when he has been through the muddiest of fields the dirt seems to fall off him very easily, leaving you with nothing to do but 'polish' up his coat! The more unusual longer-haired variety, with a coat of about 5cms, does, however require more attention.

Overall Exercise: 2 hours per day.
Weimaraners MUST have regular long walks to keep them calm in the house. If they do not get enough exercise, they can become very destructive and unhappy. They love to swim and retrieve and both these activities keep their active minds occupied.

Feeding requirements:

Weims are not big eaters but do need more on a cold winter's day. 

Grooming:  Low

Noise: Med

Personal Protection: High

Suitability As Guard Dog: High

Level of Aggression: High

Compatibility With Other Animals: High

Suitablity for Children: High

Often docked?  Yes

Average litter size:  5 - 7

Life expectancy (yrs): 10 - 12

Health issues: Hip dysplasia, dermoid cysts, dwarfism, eye problems, von Willebrand's disease, cancer, bleeding disorders and gastric torsion, also known as bloat. Bloat is a health concern to most dogs and it is likely fatal. It is caused by the dog eating too fast and should be avoided.

History: The Weimaraner made their first official appearance over 125 years ago in the German court of Weimar. There is a painting of a dog very similar to a Weimaraner, painted in 1631 by Van Dyke. The breed is supposedly thought to have purposely been bred in the 1800s, however, by Sir Duke Karl August of Weimar in Germany. The Saint Hubert, French hounds, Shorthaired Pointers, Spanish Pointers, Bloodhounds and German Schweisshunds are all thought to be a part of the Weimaraner's ancestry. Originally they were bred to be used to stalk deer and to hunt bear and wild boar in the Thuringian forest of Germany. But soon, the breed's use turned to bird hunting. Thus, the Weim was crossed with "huenerhunden" in order to affirm their bird dog characteristics.