Weimaraner

Weimaraner is a German name originally named after the Grand Duke of “Weimer”. Royalty used these dogs for hunting game such as boar, bears, deer and foxes. It is believed that this breed descended from the Vizsla and early pointing breeds. Their popularity began to increase in the 1940’s across Europe and into the United States. Americans were attracted to the Weimaraners’ distinct qualities; fierce hunters, obedience and loyalty to their family and owners. Appearance wise, the Weimaraner has a short sleek silver-gray colored coat. They are strong and have a natural physical and athletic appearance . Dogs of this breed are light weight, generally ranging from 25 to 28 inches tall and weighing 60-80 lbs. Their eyes are gray or light amber.

Since Weimaraners were bred for hunting, this would be an obvious way for Weimaraner owners to spend time with their pet, while the dog gets to use his well-regarded tracking skills. However, even if you prefer not to hunt, the Weimaraner’s breeding makes him a wonderful outdoor companion, especially as a running partner. And, for more unorthodox activities, William Wegman’s famous photographs of Weimaraners in human dress and occupations offer another option, which caters to the dog’s qualities of loyalty and desire for human affection. And while Weimaraners are sturdy companions with an ability to spend hours tracking and hunting outdoors, they prefer to live indoors, which probably make subjecting them to various poses and costumes for photographs easier if done at night. However, their desire to live indoors with their owner does not negate their rambunctious nature. In fact their energetic disposition demands early training to curb their playful nature and natural strength from accidentally knocking over children or elderly.

Owners can do most anything with this breed. These dogs are always up for a challenge and are highly skilled problem solvers. They have a multitude of abilities that can be very useful. They love to protect their owners and are excellent dogs to train. And with this capability they can be great guards and watch dogs. Because of their athletic abilities,they are used by hunters and policemen. In some cases, they are even used as rescue dogs. They are known to hunt for 6 hours at a time. They are excellent retrievers and swimmers and have a keen sense of smell. In some cases, Weimaraners can also be competitive show dogs.

Besides their rambunctious and energetic nature, there are other areas a potential owner should know. For instance, it is probably not a good idea to have a Weimaraner share his home with a small furry animal, such as a cat, or for that matter, a small dog. If this scenario is desired or necessary, it is best to introduce a Weimaraner to smaller animals when he is a puppy. In general, Weimaraners are territorial, which may sometimes be difficult with unexpected guests (human or animal), but it also makes for a high-quality watch dog. Also, due to their desire for companionship, a Weimaraner, when left alone, may very well chew up furniture or spend a good part of the day barking in hopes of speeding his owner’s return.

The Weimaraners’ temperament is sensitive, powerful and highly intelligent. They are territorial in nature and need lots of exercise. Owners need a suitable home for activity and play. They have an extreme amount of stamina and endurance. They love walks! They can be trained to be sociable to other dogs and people. However, they can be very territorial of their owners and usually never leave their owners side.

As their name indicates, Weimaraners, were found in the Weimar region of 19th century Germany, with some believing the dogs date back to the 17th century. It was the Weimar Nobles from the 1800s who bred Weimaraners as big game hunting dogs, which accounts for their highly developed tracking skills and their intrepidness. In the late 1800s, facing a dearth of large animals in the region, the Nobles retrained the dogs to hunt birds and other small game. The Nobles demanded stringent breeding practices for the dogs. Later, in 1897, a group of amateur sportsmen formed the German Weimaraner Club and continued the rigorous breeding practices of the Nobles, making breeding and ownership exclusive to club members.

Some health concerns with the Weimaraner include Hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, bleeding disorders. Their life span is 10-12 years of age. If you feel attracted to this loyal and affectionate breed, the Weimaraner Club of America gives a detailed compilation of possible health concerns that may effect the Weimaraner and a list of breeders. And of course, much information is available online.

Breeders Domain offers a direct connection to quality, responsible Weimaraner Breeders in the United States and Canada. We have an extensive directory of Weimaraner Puppies for Sale and Weimaraner Breeders. The majority of our Weimaraner Breeders offer health guarantees and nationwide shipping of their puppies to approved homes. Breeders Domain is also an excellent source of information about the Weimaraner breed, general health concerns and photos of Weimaraner puppies and adults.