The Weimaraner is a highly popular breed that hails from Germany. This breed is very famous among the Indian dog admirers as well, mainly because of the uncommon color of its coat and eyes which gives this breed quite a unique appearance. Talking about their adaptability to different places, then this breed is fairly versatile as they can easily thrive in both hot and cold climatic conditions, hence, they will not have a problem in surviving in a tropical country like India. These dogs are also reasonably easy to handle and are highly intelligent, hence training them will not be an issue for its owner. Therefore, all these characteristics make this breed a decent option for any dog owner living anywhere in the world.
Weimaraners are medium to large sized canines who are quite well-built and have a well-proportioned body. Their appearance represents a sense of alertness as well as gracefulness. The official standards of the Weimaraners are as follows:
The average weight of Weims is around 25-40 kg with the males being slightly heavier than the females. Their height lies somewhere in the range of 23-27 inches (at the shoulder).
|
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
|
MALE |
30-40 kg |
25-27 inch |
|
FEMALE |
25-35 kg |
23-25 inch |
Weimaraners have a smooth and glossy coat which is fairly short in length. Their coat is evenly spread all over the body and is mostly found in shades of mouse grey to silver grey.
They possess a well-built structure with a rather long neck that sits firmly on their shoulders. The chest is deep and well-developed and the ribs are long and well-sprung. Their back is strong and decently long and the tail is mostly docked. The Forelegs and Hindlegs are fairly sturdy and well-balanced.
They have a moderately long head that these dogs carry quite proudly. Their eyes are set well apart and are found in shades of grey, light amber or blue-grey. The ears are lobular and long and are set fairly high on the head.
They possess a finely developed jaw region with strong and even teeth which are well set inside their mouth. Their overall muzzle is reasonably strong and powerful.
Weims are highly energetic and spirited dogs who love a lot of physical activity and exercises and are fond of spending their abundant energy on any kind of task. They are at their best when they are doing something. These dogs don’t like to sit idly for long periods of time as they tend to become a little frustrated and angsty. They are loving and kind to their owners and family members and display a similar behavior with the strangers or someone new. But, in spite of being friendly towards someone less known to them, they still remain fairly alert and aware of their surroundings and have a decent watchdog ability. They have a tendency to be a little stubborn and aloof to the novice owners, but they excel well under a firm and knowledgeable owner. General temperamental traits of the Weimaraners are listed below:
Weimaraners possess quite a few aristocratic features. From carrying themselves with grace and dignity to their distinctly colored coat and their blue-grey eyes (mostly), all these attributes contribute towards the overall noble personality of these canines.
But, along with all these physical features, they bring so much more to the table which is overshadowed by their appearance. These dogs are highly athletic and are always hungry for some exercise or physical activity. They are positive towards various kinds of training exercises and are eager to learn new commands and tricks. Their high level of intelligence also helps them a lot while getting trained.
Weims are mostly social with everyone and enjoy the company of others. They are considered to be pretty decent pets as they love their housemates, are gentle with small kids, have a fair amount of protective and territorial instincts and are generally easy to handle and provides a hassle-free experience for its owners. But, it is also true that sometimes, their confident character needs a firm and experienced owner to keep them in control and check. Therefore, it is for the best that these dogs are raised by a skilled and seasoned dog owner so that they can perfectly hone their abilities and become the best version of themselves.
Recognized by most kennel clubs around the world, the Weimaraner breed can be divided into different types on the basis of the length of its coat. These types are as follows:
Coming to the various colors that their coat is available in, then it is mostly found in:
|
Adaptability |
**** |
Sensitivity Level |
***** |
|
Affection Level |
***** |
Potential for mouthiness |
***** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
** |
Drooling Potential |
**** |
|
Barking Tendencies |
** |
Energy Level |
***** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
**** |
Health Issues |
** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
*** |
Intelligence |
***** |
|
Child Friendly |
***** |
Playfulness |
***** |
|
Exercise Needs |
***** |
Shedding Level |
*** |
|
Grooming Needs |
** |
Social Needs |
**** |
|
Good for novice owners |
** |
Stranger Friendly |
**** |
|
Trainability |
***** |
Watchdog Ability |
*** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
**** |
Tolerates Cold |
**** |
Being an athletic and energetic dog, these dogs tend to spend a lot of their energy while exercising or playing, therefore, they need a good amount of feeding material which is also highly nutritious that contributes towards re-energizing their body. It is better to give them something that has moderately high levels of protein content.
As stated earlier, they require a lot of exercise and movement on a daily basis to remain in a fine shape and health. Regular exercise is not only important for their physical state but it also benefits their mental health as well. Daily long running sessions, playing time with the family, and regular training exercises will keep them fit and sharp.
It is good for a Weim to get trained from an early age as this breed is quite smart and their developing brain can grasp a lot of knowledge in a very little time. It is also important for them to receive obedience training at a young age so that they grow up to become a well-mannered doggy. During the training sessions, a well-brought-up Weim is very responsive, alert and positive towards the learning exercises. They are also eager to please their owners by understanding a new command as quickly as possible.
Weimaraner’s glossy coat requires minimal maintenance and weekly brushing can suffice its needs. But, more important than grooming their coat is to trim their nails and clean their ears on a regular basis. Also, they are moderate shedders and only sheds during the shedding season, and during that period they should be regularly brushed to remove the loose hair from their body.
Weims are affected by only a few common health problems as they tend to remain fit and healthy (if they are receiving proper nutrition and exercise) for the majority of their lifespan. Some of their health-related issues are as follows:
Frequent visits to a vet’s clinic are not required for the Weimaraners because of their general good health and fitness.
The Weimaraners originated in the city of Weimar in Germany around the early 19th century. By crossing several breeds like the English Pointers, the Great Danes, the German Short-haired Pointers and the Bloodhounds, this breed was achieved by the German Noblemen.
They needed a companion during their hunting sessions that possessed a great scenting ability, speed, and endurance. And, the Weimaraners didn’t disappoint them as they helped their owners in tracking and hunting big games. And, apart from large animals, these dogs were later used to hunt small targets like rabbits and birds.
Apart from hunting, this breed proved its versatility by being awesome guard dogs, pointers, retrievers, search and rescue dogs et cetera. It was recognized in the year 1943 by the AKC and since then it is gradually climbing the ladder of popularity and is currently placed at #34 in the list of most popular dog breeds all around the world.
