Your Weimaraner:
Ownership of the Weimaraner - Your more popular questions - answered !
What is a Weimaraner?
As a member of the gundog group, the Weimaraner was traditionally used to hunt wild boar and deer. In order to do so, it was bred to hunt all day over wide-open spaces and consequently is a dog with boundless energy and unrelenting
determination to succeed.
The Weimaraner is predominantly an air-scenting dog, although they can be prone to dropping their noses and following
scent into the wild blue yonder unless trained otherwise. When fully trained to find game, the dog will point rigidly to indicate
its approximate location, then will flush the bird (make it fly) on command and sit steadily. If the bird is shot, the Weimaraner
is also an excellent retriever, who should not be intimidated by cover and is a competent swimmer.
How big do they grow?
Dogs should be between 24-27 inches at the shoulder, bitches should be between 22-25 inches. On average, they will weigh between 22-30kgs.
What colours do they come in?
The Breed Standard registered at the Kennel Club states that the Weimaraner should be silver grey in colour, although shades of roe or mouse grey are permissible. A white mark is permitted on the chest only. No other colouring is allowed.
What about their coat and grooming? Does it moult?
There are longhaired and shorthaired varieties of Weimaraners, but it is only the length of the coat that is different, apart
from longhaired dogs only having the tip of their tail docked. Both varieties moult their coats, although it is considered less of
a problem with the shorter hairs.
Grooming for the shorthaired coats is limited, but obviously the longhaired coats need more attention. Both should receive
regular ear cleaning and nail trimming.
Are puppies’ tails still being docked?
It is illegal for "lay people" to dock tails, however, it is becoming more and more difficult to find a professional, qualified vet who will dock. This said, in excess of 80% of puppies are still being sold with docked tails to avoid later tail damage.
How long do they live?
On average, the Weimaraner lives to between 8 and 12 years old. However, there are dogs alive today who are approaching their 16th birthday.
How much exercise do they need?
You will never physically tire an adult Weimaraner. They are athletic, powerful dogs who will catnap while you stop
for breath, then be up and running again when you are ready.
However, it is more possible to mentally tire them, predominantly by allowing them to use their brains whilst they are
exercising on ground suited to their natural hunting instincts. Free running exercise in country surroundings where there is a
possibility of game having scented the ground is ideal but please remember the Country Code of Practice and be aware of
any livestock in the area.
Depending on the maturity of your puppy, you should not be exercising them for more than 15-20 minutes until they are at
least 6-8 months old so that you are not damaging any skeletal formation.
Are they good with other pets?
Yes, but introduce them carefully - particularly cats. The Weimaraner may try to dominate other dogs, especially males, but early socialisation will help keep this in perspective.
Is it a good idea to get two puppies? Will they keep each other company?
Most definitely not! In fact, you should be wary of any breeder who offers to sell two Weimaraner puppies to you. Weimaraners crave human attention there is no replacement for it. If you do not have the time to give, this breed is not for you.
What can you feed them?
There are a good many varieties of dog food available, and particularly more popular today is the "complete" dog food. This
is usually in biscuit or "cob" form and contains all the vitamins, minerals, protein, fat and carbohydrates a dog needs for their
day-to-day life. The breeder from whom you buy your puppy should recommend a suitable diet.
Weimaraners are prone to "upset" tummies and can be picky eaters. If you wish to change your dog's diet, introduce the new
food gradually over a period of a week, mixing it with their existing food in larger and larger percentages as each day goes by.
Do they need training and are they easy to train?
Weimaraners are extremely intelligent. They will happily obey their master as long as they are quite sure who the master is.
However, if there is any question as to who is in charge, they will take control and trouble will follow.
They need firm but gentle handling from the first day in your home. Please be under no illusion, when your puppy reaches
the adolescent period (usually between 9-18 months), those big, amber, doleful eyes will know exactly how far to push you.
For this reason, early training and socialisation is imperative. You cannot expect your hyperactive, adolescent dog to sit or
lay down if you have not taught it to do so and by this time it is no good getting cross with it. Invest time early and you will
reap the rewards of your efforts one million times over.
Do they make good guard dogs?
Not to be encouraged, Weimaraners can be extremely protective.
Do they bark?
Yes, especially if they have been alone for long periods of time. No one will ever enter your house without you knowing about it, in fact you will probably know every time the milkman delivers three doors down.
Can they be kennelled?
Weimaraners crave your attention and time; they are therefore not dogs that can spend long periods of time in a kennel. However, if you introduce the kennel early in life, building up gradually the time they are left and do not relent if they howl in the beginning, a kennel becomes their safe haven when they wish to be alone and is quite acceptable for 2-3 hours.
Are they destructive?
The comments above apply - Weimaraners need your time and attention. If they become bored, particularly while they are alone, they are almost certainly going to cause damage to something , from your slipper foolishly left in the same room, to a complete interior of your car !
Are they good with children?
Of all breeds, the Weimaraner does not most comfortably suit the family environment , it's a bit like taking on another child.
Quite unintentionally, they tend to be boisterous and clumsy and can knock young children down; just as young children can
prod and poke dogs long before they are old enough to understand respect.
This said, however, in an environment where the children are old enough to play a part in the training of your puppy (say, 7-8
years old), and child and dog can be taught respect and how to play with each other, they generally become an inseparable
partnership.
If you cannot decide between starting a family and getting a puppy, start the family first , a Weimaraner can become very
jealous of your attentions.
Do they suffer from any physical problems/diseases?
Weimaraners are prone to suffer from bloat, which can be fatal if not spotted and treated immediately. There are few other problems , good breeders are 'hip scoring' their breeding stock to ensure hip displaysia does not become a problem. Eyes are, on the whole, good.
Should I get a dog or a bitch?
This is entirely up to you and solely dependent on your own circumstances. A dog is larger, heavier, eats more and can be
headstrong and dominant, whilst a bitch has two seasons each year (and associated mood swings!). But both need you to
invest time and effort into socialisation and training and both are keen to please you and become an integral part of your life.
Please Note - Kennel Club registration does not guarantee you have a well-bred puppy.
A copy of your puppy's pedigree is not a Kennel Club document. Make sure your breeder gives you a "Kennel Club owner
registration certificate" which has an application for change of ownership on the reverse. This should be completed, signed
by yourself and sent to the Kennel Club as soon as possible.