The Weimaraner is considered the oldest German pointing dog breed and remains a versatile and passionate hunting companion. However, the aristocrat of dogs, with its silvery fur and proud expression, is also becoming increasingly popular among non-hunters. As a family dog, it is suitable only if it receives sufficient substitute activities.
Appearance: A slender, muscular and harmonious figure
The sight of a Weimaraner no longer delights only hunters. Its rare silvery-grey fur and expressive amber-brown eyes, which are sky-blue when it’s a puppy, garner admiration from many dog lovers.
With its slender, muscular and harmonious figure, proud demeanour, and well-shaped head with long floppy ears, the Weimaraner epitomises the perfect type of noble hunting dog.
How large do Weimaraners get?
Fully grown, the Weimaraner reaches a shoulder height of 60 to 70cm, making it one of the larger dogs. Its weight ranges from 30 to 40kg. Females are generally somewhat smaller and lighter than their male counterparts.
Coat colours and texture
Its grey fur varies from silvery-grey to deer-grey and mouse-grey. White markings on the chest and paws are permissible in small amounts but are very rare.
Besides the typical short-haired Weimaraner, the breed also includes the long-haired Weimaraner within the FCI. Long-haired puppies were often undesirable in the past and remain very rare today. The American Kennel Club also only recognises the short-haired version in its standard.
Character: Elegant hunter
The grand ducal court at Weimar, which can be considered the birthplace of the Weimaraner breed, already appreciated the versatile hunting abilities of the elegant grey dog in the early 19th century.
Its remarkable sensitive nose, endurance, sharpness for game and vermin, obedience to its owner, and significant guarding and protective instincts made the Weimaraner a useful and noble companion for nobles and hunters.
Hunting dog with high demands
Even today, in its home country of Germany, the Weimaraner’s suitability for hunting is a primary focus in breeding. Its reliability in pointing and water work, as well as its distinctive inclination for post-shot work, are essential traits according to the FCI breed standard.
In this regard, its versatility, enduring search, controlled temperament, and ease of handling are also emphasised. Dogs that fail to demonstrate these characteristics in a hunting performance test cannot be used for breeding in the breed’s country of origin. To meet the requirements of a hunting dog, Weimaraners in Germany are only given to hunters.
In the USA, Canada, and the UK, the Weimaraner is also sought after as a rescue dog, therapy dog, and police & drug detection dog, beyond its role as a hunting dog. It is also gaining popularity as a pure family and companion dog.
It is no surprise that there has been ongoing debate in Germany in recent years about whether the Weimaraner could be suitable as a family dog.
After all, its elegant appearance has contributed to increasing interest in this beautiful breed among non-hunters. But can the Weimaraner truly be fulfilled as a family dog?
Pros and cons
Critics highlight that the Weimaraner is a typical one-person dog, obeying only its owner and merely tolerating other family members. Proponents, on the other hand, point to its sociability, attachment, and strong desire to learn. This makes it not just a sensitive but also an incredibly loyal and obedient companion.
These two perspectives may seem quite different, but there is likely some truth to both. After all, a dog’s character development depends not only on its genes but also on its upbringing, socialisation, and environment.
What is certain is that the Weimaraner is a demanding dog that, as a former hunting dog, has a naturally high need for movement and activity. It belongs—if not in the hands of a hunter—at least in experienced hands. Owners need to respect and nurture the unique character of this breed.
Keeping: Not an easy companion dog
Opinions on the requirements for keeping a Weimaraner vary considerably. While one side insists that only advanced hunters can do justice to this special hunting talent, the other side believes that the Weimaraner can also receive sufficient activity in a family without hunting experience.
Whichever opinion you lean towards, it is undeniable that the Weimaraner is not an easy companion dog. It absolutely needs a task to devote itself to with all its passion.
As a former working hunting dog with a strong will and high intelligence, it requires consistent training from the start. It also needs a suitable task that nurtures its strengths, respects its character, and keeps it mentally and physically engaged every day.
Can physical and mental engagement work without hunting?
A role as a detection, pointing, or tracking dog aligns most closely with the Weimaraner’s instincts. However, with the decline in hunters and hunting grounds, many traditional hunting dogs have had to find alternative roles.
In many industrialised countries, there are now a variety of dog sports and training opportunities offering dogs meaningful substitute activities. The Weimaraner will likely enjoy activities such as dummy work, mantrailing, tracking, or training as a rescue dog.
It is crucial that the substitute activity be carried out daily, combining exercise and mental stimulation. A Weimaraner without a task that engages it physically and mentally can quickly become a problem dog.
Ensure that your dog gets the work it deserves. It will repay you with lifelong loyalty and a greater willingness to obey.
Care: What to consider when caring for the Weimaraner
Unlike its high demands for physical and mental engagement, the Weimaraner’s care needs are quite low. Short-haired Weimaraners, in particular, are very easy to care for.
To maintain the shine and texture of its short, smooth fur, you only need to brush it once or twice a week. Bathing is necessary only in exceptional cases. The rarer long-haired Weimaraners naturally require a bit more coat care.
Additionally, both varieties require attention to their ears. Their long floppy ears can lead to infections and ear inflammations. Regular inspection and cleaning of the ears are therefore essential.
Weimaraners have a strong need for exercise and must always be kept active.
Nutrition: The right food for the Weimaraner
Fortunately, the risk of skeletal diseases and the danger of gastric torsion can be reduced with a healthy and appropriate diet.
To prevent later musculoskeletal issues, you must ensure healthy growth during the puppy stage. The energy needs to be perfectly adjusted to the puppy’s requirements. Overfeeding can lead to rapid growth, causing an imbalance between bone and muscle development and leading to future joint issues. Also, ensure a healthy phosphorus-calcium ratio in the diet to guarantee stable bone development.
To prevent gastric torsion, divide the daily recommended portion into several small meals throughout the day and ensure rest after feeding. Vigorous play after eating can increase the risk.
Health: Breed-specific diseases of the Weimaraner
A puppy from a reputable breeder with official papers has the best chance for a long, healthy life. The criteria for breeding approval are high, including eye examinations and X-rays of hips, shoulders and elbows, to exclude genetic predispositions.
Nevertheless, a healthy pedigree is no guarantee of eternal health. Poor diet, lack of care, or other adverse environmental factors can also cause health issues.
One of the most common conditions in Weimaraners is the dreaded hip dysplasia (HD), despite genetic exclusion measures. Eye diseases like entropion, and ear infections due to the long floppy ears, can also be a problem for these grey dogs.
Other known issues include epilepsy and, like many large breeds, Weimaraners can be prone to gastric torsion.
Breeding: Interest among non-hunters is increasing
Due to the strict rules of the Weimaraner Club e.V., which includes most German breeders, the breed is relatively rare in its homeland. Hunting is often viewed as a hobby, and the available hunting grounds are shrinking.
The requirement that Weimaraner breeders only provide pups to professional hunters restricts the number of interested people. Simultaneously, interest in the beautiful Weimaraner is growing abroad, and more non-hunters in Germany are becoming interested in the proud grey dog.
Buy these adorable dogs only from a reputable breeder!
Purchase: Steer clear of ‘car boot puppies’
Do not be tempted by the cute puppy pictures on the internet into making a hasty purchase. You will end up paying dearly for these ‘bargains’. Heart and joint diseases due to the lack of veterinary care for the mother dog, inbreeding results, lack of early socialisation and behavioural issues like excessive nervousness, aggression or sharpness can push owners not just financially but also psychologically to their limits.
Why you should buy from a reputable breeder
You can only get a healthy, well-balanced, genuine Weimaraner for life from a reputable breeder who meets FCI breeding suitability criteria. Of course, the hurdles to purchasing a Weimaraner from a recognised breeder are much higher than those for promisingly cheap ‘boot sale’ offers.
Expect long waiting periods for a new litter, longer travel distances to the breeding site, and a thorough questioning from the breeder about your living conditions and future plans.
Responsible breeders, however, also offer a thorough insight into their breeding practices, show you the mother, ensure positive early imprinting of the puppy, and have important early vaccinations done.
They share their long-standing experience with the breed and continue to offer advice and support after the purchase. A reputable breeder is committed to finding a good home for each of their dogs.
How much does a Weimaraner cost?
If you are a hunter and purchase a Weimaraner from a reputable breeder, the cost usually starts at £1,000.
History: The oldest pointing dog breed in Germany
The exact origins of the Weimaraner and the types of dogs that contributed to its current appearance remain unclear. Some theories suggest that Bloodhounds, English Pointers, German Shorthairs and the silvery-grey chicken dog played a role in its development.
What is well-documented is that the Weimaraner was bred and kept as a hunting dog in and around Weimar in the early 19th century. Grand Duke Karl August of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach famously kept these noble pointing dogs at his court.
Early pure-breeding
Systematic breeding of the Weimaraner began around 1890. With the establishment of the Thuringian “Association for the Pure Breeding of the Silvery Grey Weimaraner Pointing Dog” in 1897, the breed was standardised. Since the beginning of documented breeding records, the Weimaraner has been bred purely, with no foreign breeds introduced. The Weimaraner is thus considered the oldest pointing dog breed in Germany.
zooplus Editorial Team
The zooplus editorial team consists of a dedicated team of experts with many years of experience in the field of animal husbandry: Luisa with her White Swiss Shepherd Elyos, Laura, Julio, and Florian. Together with a large network of animal experts, we work to make the zooplus magazine a trusted source of information for all animal owners and lovers. Our goal is to provide exciting animal knowledge and relevant information on the proper care of pets.
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