The Weimaraner Dog: Breed Primer

The Weimaraner is not my favorite dog. I do think they are a beautiful and strong breed, but I just have my doubts about their behavior. My brother-in-law has owned two of them in past years. This is where my experience with the breed comes from.

The first one he owned was a female, Gretta. She is the one that I grew to not trust. At least around my son. She had not been socialized around children and so when I had James around her, she just didn't know how to react. She actually frightened me several times by snapping at him. James was just a toddler at this time. So, he was right at her eye level. Once, she snapped at the back of his neck. I really thought she was out to get him. But, as James grew and Gretta grew, she seemed to calm down. She wasn't snappy with him in her older years. Although I shouldn't judge the breed on one dog, this is the reason I really don't like them. I have a problem trusting the breed. A lot of people would say the same about my Anatolian Shepherd, though. She didn't like a lot of people and was snappy with them. So, I guess it is all up to the owner, the dog and how it is raised. Don't turn your back on this breed just because of my worries with it.

In fact, my brother-in-law has a male, Bullet. Bullet has been the opposite of Gretta. He's fun to play with and just great to be around. He's great with children. I do need to point out that my brother-in-law has two small children of his own. They never had any problems with Gretta or Bullet that I know of with their children. So, again, don't not like the dog because of me, I'm only one story. I'm sure there are many out there with great experiences with the Weimaraner.

Looking now at the AKC standards, it sounds like a great dog. He or she will be sleek and muscular, slightly large and is an athletic dog. They come in all shades of gray and the head tends to be a little lighter in color than the rest of the body. Most will have their tails docked at an early age if they are bred by a good breeder. If the tail isn't docked, then you won't be able to show the dog in competitions.

The temperament can vary in the Weimaraner. It can be obedient and happy to the extreme of aggressive and aloof. Start very young with this dog on training and socializing and you'll have the happy, loving dog your family desires. The owner does need to be firm, but not abusive, in order to train the dog. Use rewards such as praise and treats to get him to learn what to do. Most of the time, they learn quickly and are very smart dogs. But if they are hit and abused, they will become wary of the person and will refuse to obey any commands. The dog will also be more likely to attack or have severe behavior issues. So, train with a firm and loving hand and your dog will respond very well.

They have been used for hunting for several centuries. A Weimaraner is depicted in a Van Dyck painting of the early 1600's, so they do have a long history. They were first brought to the U.S. in 1929 by Howard Knight, who also founded the breed's club here in the U.S. Because of the hunting history of the dog, you don't need to trust him around small animals. His instinct just might take over and he may kill the animal. They used to be used to hunt large game, but then were trained later on for small game. Not only do they hunt well, they are a natural protector. You should feel safe with this guy around.

Working comes naturally to the breed. Because so many people don't use them for hunting or working anymore, you must make sure that he is kept active. Let him play in a large yard, they love to retrieve balls and sticks. If you don't have access to a yard, take him on a daily walk or jog. Give him toys to play with when you are not home to keep his mind busy. If he's not busy, he's more likely to tear things up and bark too much. This dog has a lot of energy, so make sure he uses it up every day.

They tend to be on the larger side of dogs, height can be anywhere from 22 to 27 inches, depending on the sex. Weight should be kept between 55 to 70 pounds. Any larger and they may begin to have health problems. One concern is bloat, which is common in large dogs. Don't feed them before play, let them play and cool down, then feed them a small meal. Usually two to three small meals a day is better than one large meal for any dog.

Other health concerns will be hip dysplasia, hypertropic osteodystrophy (rapid growth), and tumors. The best way to keep them healthy is regular vet visits, good dog food and plenty of exercise. With the Weimaraner, hip dysplasia is not nearly as common as it used to be. Because of careful breeding and very conscious breeders, it is down to about 8%.

Make sure you get your dog through a reputable breeder. If you don't, your chances of health problems with the dog will rise. Always do your research before buying. You can check with the AKC or even local humane societies to see if they are good breeders. Most of the time, someone will know if you will just take the time to ask. If you choose to adopt, try to get as much information as possible on the history of the dog. There are many dogs out there looking for that forever home, so please consider adopting a Weimaraner instead of buying one. Most adopted animals turn out to be the best pets - they will be very loyal and loving.

Grooming isn't very hard with this breed. All it really needs is a good brushing with a firm bristled brush and the occasional bath. You don't want to over bathe the dog and dry out his skin, though. Some owners use chamois to make the coat shine, but it's not necessary.

Even though the Weimaraner isn't my favorite dog, that doesn't mean he can't be your favorite dog. I wanted to share this to just let readers know how they can vary, just like any breed can. So, take my information and compare it to others. Research well before you decide. Talk to those that own these dogs or even talk to your vet. Any person that loves a dog, no matter what the breed, is always willing to talk about him!