Even if you haven’t heard of a Weimaraner, you have probably seen one. This blueish-grey dog is a classic short-haired dog whose loyalty will outdo most dogs. That can be a pro or a con, depending on what you’re looking for from a dog-owner relationship. What else should you know about a Weimaraner before you get one? We’re here to help.
Weimaraner Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Germany
Original Purpose: Large game hunting
Height: 20 to 30 inches from the shoulder
Weight: 50 to 90 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Sporting Group
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Origin of the Weimaraner Dog Breed
Back in the day of the German royals of the 19th century, some men decided that a dog should be bread to demonstrate all the good things a dog should be: loyal, intelligent, and a good hunter. So in attempts to fulfill this somewhat symbolic creature, they began experimenting with dog breeding. They probably bred a bunch of different dogs, which included:
- English Pointer,
- German Shorthaired Pointer,
- Bloodhound,
And maybe even the Blue Great Dane.
Now…
It’s not entirely clear how much breeding and time it took, but eventually, they decided they’d created their royal mascot, and viola! The Weimaraner, sometimes called the German Weimaraner, was born. Then in 1943, the American Kennel Club first recognized the Weimaraner as an official breed. There are also several Weimaraner clubs like the Weimaraner Club of Great Britain and America.
Physical Characteristics
If you think of a classic hunting dog, the image in your head is probably a dog that looks like the Weimaraner. These deep-chested dogs should be on a permanent duck hunting mission—or a bigger mission like deer or bear hunting. He’s got a strong yet somewhat sleek body, floppy ears, a long muzzle, and a short-haired coat.
He’s usually…
All grey, hence the Gray Ghost nickname (sometimes the Silver Ghost). The ghost part is because he follows his owner just about anywhere. And while you may find a female Weimaraner as light as 55 pounds (Yes, we know that’s not that small…but for this dog, it is!), a male Weimaraner can get quite large – as much as 90 pounds. If you are a petite person, it could be a task to restrain this dog on a walk should he get excited by another animal, human, or situation.
Personality and Temperament
If you are an outdoorsy person looking for a companion to swim, boat, or hike with you, then the Weim (as they’re called for short) will be a great choice. He’s a sturdy dog who loves a good day of exercise in the sun. Now as a big game hunter, this dog can be trained to do several jobs should you desire to teach him. They need a lot of mental stimulation, so calling it a “job” wouldn’t be correct; they love a good challenge.
But it’s important to remember that…
This dog isn’t all work and no play; most will love a good game of fetch or any other game with his beloved owner. We say special because no one on earth a Weimaraner loves more than his human. It is nice, but it can be high maintenance, especially when you realize it’s hard to ignore this dog or leave him to entertain himself. He will likely be all up in your business and not likely to go off in another room when you want some personal space.
This is why…
Getting a Weimar in training from the time they are a puppy is a good idea. Like with most dogs, this is when their personality and behavior are the best molded. If you wait to train, you may have a more strong-willed dog than you like!
The health of a Weimaraner
Though this is a pretty robust dog, just like any other breed, your best chance at optimal health is to find your Weimaraner puppies from reputable breeders. Then you can be sure the dog was bred to eliminate genetic disorders. If you get a Weimaraner rescue, the chance of health problems will be a bit higher. Here are some of the most common health problems you might encounter with a Weimaraner:
- Von Willebrand’s Disease is a blood clotting disorder caused by a missing von Willebrand factor (VWF). Your dog will probably have to be on medication for this. You might not know the dog has this disease until he gets cut or injured.
- Kidney Stones: due to high uric acid levels, Weimaraners are predisposed to this and bladder problems. They may need surgery to fix it.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Many kinds of autoimmune disorders can happen in any dog, but for Weimaraners, it’s often hypertrophic osteodystrophy, a condition of the bones.
There are several other diseases, disorders, or medical problems that your Weimaraner can encounter throughout their lifetime. This is just a short list of the main ones to look out for during puppy shopping.
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, but they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
The Weimariner is one of the most loyal, intelligent and beautiful dogs. His personality is that of a three year old child whose questions never cease. He wants to know where you are, what you are doing twenty four seven, but he will place himself between you and any danger anytime he senses a threat. Never underestimate his capacity for exercise, and the sheer joy he gets from running, chasing prey, even if it’s only a frisbee. You can almost see the smile on his houndy face, after a long enjoyable jaunt on the beach, woods, or in the wide open country. His constant companionship, friendship and love for you will put all other relationships to shame.