Weimaraners are known for their silvery-gray coat that sometimes makes them disappear if they walk too far. This earned the Weimaraner the name “Gray Ghost.”
Weimaraners feature a compact body built for long work. They have strong heads, hound-like ears, and amber or blue-grey eyes. Their overall features scream of grace and beauty, making anyone’s head turn if they pass by. No wonder that they first became known through their beautiful photographs.
This dog breed is not for everyone. They are great family dogs, even for those with kids, but they need a family who would be able to provide them with their mental and physical needs.
Weimaraner Statistics
| Dog Breed Group | Sporting |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Height | 25-27 inches (male); 23-25 inches (female) |
| Weight | 70-90 pounds (male); 55-75 pounds (female) |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years |
Weimaraner Ratings
| Energy level | |
| Exercise needs | |
| Requires attention | |
| Playfulness | |
| Trainability | |
| Shedding | |
| Grooming | |
| Friendly with family | |
| Friendly with kids | |
| Friendly with strangers | |
| Friendly with other dogs | |
| Prey Drive |
Weimaraner History
The origin of the Weimaraner can be traced back to the early 19th century. They were developed at the Weimar court in Germany, where their name came from.
It’s believed that during that time, German noblemen wanted a hunting dog that’s brave, intelligent, had a keen sense of smell, fast, and strong stamina. Added to that, they also want one that would stay close to their humans during hunting or even while at home.
So, by crossbreeding several dogs, the Weimaraner, previously called Weimar Pointer, was created. Unfortunately, there were no records on file as to what dogs were used for breeding them.
Because of the success of the breed, an exclusive club in Germany was formed in 1897. The members of this club own a Weimaraner, and you would have to be a member if you want to own one. This is to preserve the breed’s standard.
By 1929, an American sportsman, Howard Knight, joined the club and was allowed to bring two Weimaraner dogs to the US. But, because the Germans were so protective, they ensured the two dogs were neutered so as not to form any breed. However, this did not stop Howard from acquiring a foundation to breed a Weimaraner.
It was only ten years later when he finally succeeded, and in 1942, a Weimaraner American Club was formed. It was also in that same year when the American Kennel Club recognized the breed. And the following year, the Weimaraner made its first appearance in the Westminster Kennel Club Show.
By the 1950s, the Weimaraner’s popularity rose as a pet and hunting dog in the US. Some celebrities and even President Eisenhower surely loved the breed. But the person most responsible for their recognition is photographer William Wegham who shared pictures of his Weimaraner portraying daily lives of people.
Weimaraner Temperament
Weimaraners are generally friendly, fearless, and obedient. They are a great combination of family and hunting dogs.
As highly-energetic dogs, they can work all day tirelessly. This is the reason why they need someone who would be able to meet their demanding exercise needs. If not entertained well, they can become destructive. He will bark endlessly, chew off some furniture, dig holes in your yard, or, worse, try to escape.
But, if they’re able to expel their energy, they become excellent family dogs. They are even great playmates for kids. Another term often used for them is “velcro dogs” because they get easily attached to their humans. They are also very affectionate and loving to their family.
When it comes to strangers, they tend to be reserved or shy. But expect them to stay alert and ready to protect you when the need arises.
They also tend to show dominance to other dogs, especially males. And when it comes to smaller animals, they can get predatory.
You need to give a Weimaraner some early socialization to control the bad temperaments. This way, they’ll get accustomed to strangers, other animals, and new sights.
Training is also a great way to let your dog know that you’re the leader and that he needs to follow you. And since they are also considered one of the smartest dog breeds, training might come easy. Approach them with the right attitude, and they’ll surely learn anything.
Weimaraner Care Requirements
- Nutrition: Weimaraner dogs are very active dogs that require high-quality and well-balanced nutrition to support their energy needs. It’s best if you’re able to calculate the needed calorie intake every day, even if they’re not prone to obesity. Generally, an active Weimaraner should consume 1,688 calories daily, while a highly-active one may need twice as much. The diet should also contain a balance of all the essential nutrients – protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Plus, it must only come from high-quality ingredients. If you’re going for commercial dog foods, then don’t go for those that contain by-products or fillers as these may be hard to digest and won’t provide a lot of energy or nutrients. Stay away from ingredients that may cause allergies, such as wheat, corn, soy, or barley.Grooming: The Weimaraner has a short coat that sheds seasonally; however, it’s still important to do regular brushing to keep it healthy. Brushing at least once a week will help remove dead or loose hair. Plus, this will reduce them when the shedding season comes. Bathing should be done regularly, probably once in a month, depending on the activity that your dog is doing. This might also depend if he already smells terrible or he’s too dirty. However, there’s one area you must check daily, and that’s the ears. Make sure that the ears are clean and that no dirt is left there. This might cause some infection that would lead to discomfort on the part of your Weimaraner. Pay attention to their nails too. Make sure to keep it short, as this will also be a hindrance to his daily activities if too long.
- Exercise: Weimaraners are highly energetic dogs with high exercise demands. They need to be given a lot of activities daily that would target both their physical and mental aspects. If you’re a hunter, the Weimaraner would be your perfect pair. But if you’re not, you can still take him out for a walk, run, jog, bike, or even swim. Sometimes the length of your walk will depend on your stamina because these dogs can certainly run all day tirelessly. It’s also best if you have a fenced yard so they can freely run around off-leash. This will help him explore his surroundings better and expel some energy without getting you too tired.
- Health: Weimaraners are also prone to several health conditions. One primary health condition you need to watch out for is gastric torsion. This is why it’s essential to watch his food intake. Some minor conditions you need to worry about are entropion, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, spinal dysraphism, hemophilia A, hip dysplasia, and von Willebrand’s diseases. Most of these are genetically related, so it’s best to know the parent’s background, so you know what health conditions might come out. There are also some screening tests your dog can take, which can already rule out other medical conditions.
- Lifespan: The life expectancy of the Weimaraner is 10-13 years.
Famous Weimaraners
- Heidi: Adopted Weimaraner of US President Dwight Eisenhower
- Man Ray and Fay Ray: Weimaraner models of the photographer, William Wegman
- Dingo: A Weimaraner who helped during the Cold War by sniffing out small bits of missiles after launches so scientists could restudy them
Fun Facts About Weimaraners
- The breed originated in Germany in the 19th century.
- Weimaraners are referred to as the “gray ghost” because of their color.
- Sometimes, they get lost in the fog or disappear into the landscape if they’re too far away.
- Weimaraner are born with stripes, but these fade away after a few days.
- Their eyes change color. Blue as puppies, then turn to grey or blue-grey as they get older.
- They are sometimes referred to as “dogs with a human brain.”
- They were originally meant to be gun dogs.
Check Out Other Sporting Dog Breeds:
American Water Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel, Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Red and White Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Kooikerhondje, Labrador Retriever, Lagotti Romagnoli, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pointer, Spinoni Italiani, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Vizslas