The Weimaraner is a tall dog (about 66cm to shoulder), originating in Germany as a hunting dog, a breed which is quite uncommon in Australia.
They were bred by nobility in the city of Weimer in the late 1800’s as an all-purpose gun dog which uses both sight and scent for hunting, seeking out larger game like deer and bears.
Being a gun dog entails not being afraid of the explosively loud sound of gunshots and from my experience most dogs, even dogs specifically bred for this do not tolerate it well, even with training.
The Weimaraner is lean and muscular, they have both stamina and speed.
They are also known as “The Grey Ghost,” easily recognised by their striking silver coat and large floppy ears which funnels scent particles toward their noses acting like dust-brooms.
Traditionally their tails were docked to about 15.25 cm or 6”, in some countries they still are.
Born with blue eyes that change colour after three to six months, changing to amber or greyish, in some individuals a greyish blue eye colour may remain in adulthood.
Temperament: sometimes referred to as ‘velcro’ dogs because of their affectionate nature; they thrive on companionship, especially with family.
Which could lead to separation anxiety if they do not receive enough exercise or are left to themselves for long periods of time.
The Weimaraner is smart and requires mental stimulation to prevent boredom, which can lead to escaping and destructive behaviour.
Exercise: because this breed is highly energetic, they can excel in dog sport activities that manipulate or engage their hunting instincts, including scent work, or just a few sessions of ball or frisbee games.
Health and maintenance: the short single layer coat is relatively low care, just brushing once or twice a week and the occasional bath.
Nail trimming is important for all dogs, for their comfort and health.
There is a long, double coated Weimaraner, but it is not recognised by the American Kennel club and is not as popular as the classical short haired.
Brad Pitt had one of these dogs with a couple of photos on Facebook.
These dogs are not suited for apartment living.
