Weimaraner

 

The Weimaraner (WHY-ma-rah-ner or VYE-ma-rah-ner) is a dog that was originally bred for hunting in the early 19th century. Early Weimaraners were used by royalty for hunting large game, such as boar, bears, deer, and foxes. As the popularity of large game hunting began to decline, Weimaraners were used for hunting smaller animals, like fowl, rabbits, and foxes. Rather than having a specific purpose such as pointing or flushing, the Weimaraner is an all purpose gun dog. The Weimaraner is loyal and loving to his family, an incredible hunter, and a fearless guardian of his family and territory. The name comes from the Grand Duke of Weimar, Karl August, whose court enjoyed hunting.

Appearance

The Weimaraner is elegant and athletic in appearance. All parts of the dog should be in balance with each other, creating a form that is pleasing to the eye. It must be capable of working in the field, regardless of whether it is from show stock or hunting stock, and faults that will interfere with working ability are heavily penalised.

Traditionally, the tail is docked to a third of its natural length at birth and dewclaws are removed. This is part of the AKC breed standard. However, these alterations have since been made illegal in several other countries; as such those dogs are shown with their natural tails.

Coat and colour

This breed’s short and very smooth grey coat and its unusual eyes give it a regal appearance different from any other breed. However, the breed has been deemed very similar to the Vizsla even though the Vizsla is a much older breed. The eyes of the Weimaraner may be light amber, grey, or blue-grey. The coat may range from charcoal-blue to mouse-grey to silver-grey, it has been elegantly described as “moonlight on chocolate”. Where the fur is thin or non-existent, inside the ears or on the lips, for example, the skin should be a pinkish tone rather than white or black. Eyes are pale yellow or amber, though they are blue in puppies.

The silvery-grey colour is rare in dogs and is the result of breeding for a recessive gene. It has also lent the breed the nickname ‘silver ghost’ or ‘grey ghost.’ The coat is extremely low maintenance; it is short, hard, and smooth to the touch.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard, a distinctly blue or black coat is an automatic disqualification, though a small white marking in the chest area only is permitted. However, dogs with blue coats are not disqualified from field competition and are recognised as purebred Weimaraners by the AKC. There is another variety that occurs now and then, the ‘mark of the hound’, where the dog is the usual grey colour, with faint tan markings (similar to Doberman). It’s said that early in the breed this was a common colour that was selectively bred out and suggests that the colour is indeed a black dilution.

There is a long-haired variety that is recognised by most kennel clubs around the world except in North America. The long-haired Weimaraner has a silky coat, with – contrary to the short coated variety – an undocked, feathered tail. The gene is recessive, so breeding will produce some long-haired puppies only if both parents carry the longhair gene.

In November 2009 and January 1, 2010 the United Kennel Club (UKC) removed the disqualification from both Blue and Longhair Weimaraners. UKC now considers the blue colour to be an eliminating fault.

Size

According to the AKC standard, the male Weimaraner stands between 25 and 27 inches (63-68 cm) at the withers.

Females are between 23 and 25 inches (58-63 cm). Of course, there are many dogs taller or shorter than the breed standard. The breed is not heavy for its height, and males normally weigh roughly 70-80 pounds. Females are generally between 55-70 lbs(25-32kgs). A Weimaraner carries its weight proudly and gives the appearance of a muscular, athletic dog.

Temperament

Weimaraners are fast and powerful dogs, but are suitable home animals given appropriate training and exercise. These dogs are not as sociable towards strangers as other hunting dogs such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Weimaraners are very protective of their family and can be very territorial. They can be aloof to strangers, and must be thoroughly socialised when young to prevent aggression. They are also highly intelligent, sensitive and problem-solving animals, which earned them an epithet “dog with a human brain”. They are ranked 21st in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs, being of excellent working/obedience intelligence.

From adolescence, a Weimaraner requires extensive exercise in keeping with an energetic hunting dog breed prized for their physical endurance and stamina. No walk is too far, and they will appreciate games and play in addition. An active owner is more likely to provide the vigorous exercising, games, or running that this breed absolutely requires. Weimaraners are high-strung and often wear out their owners, requiring appropriate training to learn how to calm them and to help them learn to control their behaviour. Owners need patience and consistent, firm (yet kind) training, as this breed is particularly rambunctious during the first year and a half of its life. This breed is known for having a penchant for stealing food from table and counter tops whenever given the chance. Like many breeds, untrained and unconfined young dogs often create their own fun when left alone, such as chewing house quarters and furniture. Thus, many that are abandoned have behavioural issues as a result of isolation and inferior exercise.

Weimaraners are often kind to children, but they may not be appropriate for smaller children due to their tendency to knock a child down in the course of play. The breed is so full of energy that early training to sit (through positive reinforcement) is critical to prevent jumping in the future, as these strong dogs may knock over elderly people or children by accident.

It should never be forgotten that the Weimaraner is a hunting dog and therefore has a strong, instinctive prey drive. Weimaraners will sometimes tolerate cats, as long as they are introduced to the cats as puppies, but many will chase and frequently kill almost any small animal that enters their garden or backyard. In rural areas, most Weimaraners will not hesitate to chase deer or sheep.

This breed of dog tends to be very stubborn. However, with good training, these instincts can be curtailed to some degree. A properly trained Weimaraner is a wonderful companion that will never leave its master’s side. The Weimaraner has been given the appellation “Velcro Dog”, as when once acclimated to its master, sticks to its master at all times. Many Weimaraners tend to lean on their master when sitting or standing.

Behaviour Disorders

Since they were bred to be true members of the family, some Weimaraners suffer from severe separation anxiety. Manifestations of this behaviour disorder include panicked efforts to rejoin the owner when separation occurs, excessive drooling, destructive behaviors, and associated injuries such as broken teeth or cut lips.

Behaviour modification training and medications may reduce the severity of symptoms associated with this disorder in some Weimaraners. However, the breed is generally refractory to such treatment and behaviour modification training efforts. As individuals of the breed age the severity of separation anxiety symptoms decreases somewhat, but does not completely abate.

More common, lighter manifestations of separation anxiety include wailing, which mimics a high pitched crying tone. This is even more noticed when the Weim’s master is near, or returning home. If properly socialised young, the tendency for separation anxiety may be reduced.

In similarity to lighter manifestations of separation anxiety are the inability for the Weimaraner to leave its master’s side. Many Weimaraners will insist on even sleeping as close to the master as possible. It is not uncommon to find the Weim sleeping on the master’s bed.

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