To the untrained eye, the Weimaraner is wrapped in silvery velvet. His lustrous coat and dignified expression hint at his noble lineage. The Weimaraner is a recent breed from strictly guarded German stock. He was bred for a life of undiluted comfort, both while working as a hunter dog and while relaxing in the comfort of his owner’s home.
Since his arrival in North America in the early 1900’s the Weimaraner has made a name for himself as an affectionate and energetic breed. His popularity as a companion dog continues to grow in North America and throughout Europe.
Weimaraner History
The earliest ancestor of the Weimaraner may be traced back to the 1200’s and the court of Louis IX of France. The theory holds that while the St. Habertus Branchen dogs in the royal kennel were black and quite distinct from the modern Weimaraner, these royal dogs did produce gray offspring and the features of the St. Habertus Brachen were very similar to the that of the Weimaraner. But this theory is unproven.
In nineteenth century Germany, there was a growing demand for a noble looking, all-round gundog. The goal of this early Weimaraner breeding was to develop a versatile dog that could hunt large game like deer, boar and bears. The newly established Weimaraner was bred for nobility so a pack dog he was not. Unusually, the Weimaraner lived in the family home with all the comforts it provided. This early socialization and interaction with humans lessened the Weimaraner’s willingness to endure Spartan accommodations. But, the Weimaraner was not the common man’s dog. His breed was strictly reserved for nobility and until the 1900’s, Weimaraner ownership was closely guarded.
The German Weimaraner Club oversaw the progress of the breed and the sale of it’s offspring. Only members of the German Weimaraner Club were eligible for ownership and becoming a member of this exclusive club was no easy feat. Weimaraners that were bred outside the purview of the club were ineligible for registration and specimens deemed sub-standard were destroyed.
In 1929 an American gained entry into the German Weimaraner Club and was able to remove two dogs from Germany. These Weimaraners demonstrated such outstanding obedience in competitions, that interest in this breed exploded. So began the rise in popularity of this noble breed and by 1943, the American Kennel Club recognized the Weimaraner as a member to the Sporting Group.
Weimaraner Appearance
The Weimaraner is an aristocratic breed with refined features and an alert expression. The Weimaraner is effortlessly graceful with uncommon endurance so his body is lithe and sleek. The Weimaraner has a very short and uniquely gray coat and high-set long ears. The haunting eyes of the Weimaraner are light in colour and can be light amber, gray or blue-gray. The Weimaraner’s tail is customarily docked to six inches.
Weimaraner Temperament
The Weimaraner is a rowdy and rambunctious dog whose energy needs to be directed. The Weimaraner will crave interaction and affection from his family, so much so that he can suffer extreme separation anxiety if he cannot have it. This anxiety can manifest in unusual drooling, chewing and unexplained injuries like chipped teeth and bleeding lips. A veterinarian can prescribe anti-anxiety tablets, but your Weimaraner may resist both the medication and behaviour modification intended to curb the problem. For this reason, your Weimaraner cannot be isolated from his family for more than a couple of hours at a time. Kennelling your Weimaraner during your family vacation is ill-advised. Instead, try leaving him with a neighbour who is well known to your Weimaraner. Still, he will suffer during your absence.
The Weimaraner is a hunting dog whose instinct will dominate his exercise routine. If an unsuspecting feline wanders into the path of a Weimaraner, the cat is as good as dead. The Weimaraner has little sympathy for small and furry creatures. He will actively hunt and ultimately destroy any creature the Weimaraner deems as prey.
At times, the Weimaraner can flirt with crime and unscrupulously steal food from the table and from countertops. It will be difficult to curb this through training, as the Weimaraner sees the fruits of his labour as legitimate hunting windfall .
Although the Weimaraner is affectionate and loving, sometimes his boisterous play can overpower small children. The Weimaraner can jump on a toddler without regard for the child’s unsteady legs.
Weimaraner Exercise Info
If you have decided to train for a marathon and need a tireless companion, the Weimaraner is the breed for you. The Weimaraner needs long walks and daily runs of 15 – 20 kilometres and will happily go further if your legs can stand it. The thing to remember is that the Weimaraner is a hunting dog and while walking is enjoyable for this breed, he needs to run and run and run.
If the Weimaraner has insufficient exercise, he can act out inappropriately. The Weimaraner has an alarming penchant for destruction that can be brought on if your dog has excess energy to burn. This time and energy can be spent chewing table legs, wrestling his way into cupboards and finding calamitous uses for toothpaste.
Weimaraner Grooming Info
Grooming your Weimaraner is a snap. Just brush him weekly to remove dead hair and all will be well. This ease of grooming is a great mercy because the Weimaraner owner will be exhausted from running and won’t have the strength for much else.
Weimaraner Training Info
There is no denying that a Weimaraner needs crate training and early socialization but this is only the beginning. The Weimaraner needs a firm but consistent hand and an owner who is willing to leave nothing open and available to the Weimaraner.
The Weimaraner has an uncanny sense of smell and will empty the entire contents of the garbage can in pursuit of some tasty morsel at the bottom. So, training is one thing but making your home Weimaraner-proof is another matter. Be sure that your yard is fenced well beyond what seems necessary as your Weimaraner can leap higher than one might reasonably expect. And, the kitchen is an especially popular area for Weimaraner investigation. With cunning dexterity, your Weimaraner will learn to open the fridge, liberate biscuits from jars and track spilt, now-mucky flour into your bed. There is no training this away. Just cling tenaciously to the knowledge that this destruction will lessen as your Weimaraner grows older and as you learn to outfox your dog.
Weimaraner Health Info
Some common health concerns for your Weimaraner include; gastric torsion, spinal dysraphism, CHD, entropion, distichiasis,
Also of note: The Weimaraner is especially prone to gastric torsion. This painful and life-threatening disorder is most common in deep-chested breeds like the Weimaraner. Gastric torsion occurs when the stomach twists itself thereby preventing food from digesting. Symptoms include obvious discomfort, lack of bowel movements and swollen stomach. If you suspect your Weimaraner has gastric torsion, seek veterinary assistance at once. This disorder can be corrected only through surgery and only if diagnosed early.
The Weimaraner owner can help his dog avoid gastric torsion. First, feed your Weimaraner several small servings of food throughout the day and avoid vigorous exercise following the meals. Also, never place your Weimaraner feeding dish on a platform designed to minimize gobbling. There are special bowls designed for gobbling dogs and purchasing one for your Weimaraner is highly recommended. Finally, Weimaraner owners are encouraged to know the signs and symptoms of gastric torsion and to have emergency numbers at the ready.
Weimaraner Right Breed Info
The Weimaraner is a ball of energy that is matched only by his devotion to his family. And, if his family are Olympians, all the better. In truth, the ideal Weimaraner owner is active and athletic with plenty of time to devote to this dog. In this perfect scenario, children are tall enough to withstand the weight of the Weimaraner’s affectionate leap and old enough to assume some of the exercise responsibility. The Weimaraner is gentle but demanding of affection so families with hectic schedules may not be well suited. Seniors too may find the grooming a breeze, but the exercise requirements impossible. But, if you are domestically well-suited and looking to explore the great-outdoors, the Weimaraner makes a splendid choice.
When purchasing your Weimaraner, resist the urge to purchase a dog inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.
More Information about the Weimaraner Dog Breed
Weimaraner on Wikipedia