Weimaraners

Appearance:

Body: Medium size and well proportioned with a straight, level back, rearward slope, deep chest, well-sprung ribs, and well-muscled, well laid back shoulders.

Coat: Short, sleek, dense, and smooth.

Color: Mouse-gray to silver-gray.

Ears: Moderately long, lobular, high set, slightly folded and hanging.

Eyes: Round, slightly angled, light amber or gray; expressively keen and intelligent.

Feet: Compact and tight with well-arched toes.

Head: Long, lean and aristocratic with a moderate stop, prominent occiput, long muzzle, pendulous lips, and grey nose.

Legs: Forelegs are straight and strong. Hindquarters are well-developed and muscular, legs are long and strong with well let down hocks, and well-angulated stifles.

Neck: Not too short, strong, somewhat rounded, and well-muscled.

Size:
Weight: 70 - 86 pounds
Height: 23 - 27 inches

Tail: Customarily docked.

Behavior

Recommended for experienced dog handlers
Can be dominant with other dogs
Not recommenced with cats and other small pets
Can be difficult to housetrain

Originally developed by the Nobles of Weimar, Germany to hunt big game, the Weimaraner had to be a highly spirited dog with a bold, courageous personality, keen sense of smell, great speed, high intelligence, and capable of working long hard days. Until the 1900s the German Weimaranar Club restricted ownership to club members to protect his well bred characteristics.

A regal-looking, well-muscled dog with great endurance and gracefully gaited speed. The Weimaraner is well known for its shiny gray to silver coat and amber, blue or gray eyes, which also led to his nicknames "Silver Ghost" and "Gray Ghost."

AKC Standard says, "As for temperament, this dog is not happy when relegated to the kennel. He is accustomed to being a member of the family and accepts the responsibilities which that entails. He should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness and balance."

This is an athletic, strong-willed dog best suited for an experienced dog handler. He has strong predatory instincts, will dominate other dogs, and can become very destructive if not properly exercised and challenged. He requires an owner who can provide strong, but respectful, leadership and who has the time and desire to take him on long runs, hikes, and other excursions.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Sporting Group

A gundog originally used to hunt large game including deer, bear, wildcats, wolves, mountain lions, and wild boar, and later converted to being a fur and feather dog hunting and retrieving birds.

Only the short-haired Weimaraner is approved by the American Kennel Club.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: Vigorous daily exercise that is challenging both physically and mentally.

Grooming: Brush two to three times weekly.

Health

Life Expectancy: 12- 13 Years

Possible Problems:
Bloat
Corneal Dermoid Cyst - a cyst on the cornea of the eye
Cryptorchidism - undescended testicles
Distichiasis - an extra row of eyelashes
Entropion - eyelids turn inward
Hip Dysplasia - degenerative joint disease
von Willebrands Disease (vWD) - a bleeding disorder

For more information on health issues visit the Weimaranar Club of America.

Recommended Certificates:
CERF - for the eyes
OFA - for the hips and elbows

Country of Origin

Germany - 1600s