A friendly, bold and alert companion that bonds very closely with its family and likes to be part of whatever is going on. It is keen and trainable, with a strong hunting drive, and tends to be a bit more watchful with strangers than many other sporting breeds. Weimaraners thrive on company and do best living indoors with their people rather than in a kennel.432
Coat and looks how to spot one
short and smooth, or long and soft (two varieties)
The usual short-haired Weimaraner wears a dense, sleek coat that lies flat but feels a little thicker than on similar pointers. The rarer long-haired variety has a soft, straight or gently wavy coat with feathering on the ears, legs and tail. Underneath either coat is a lean, athletic, well-muscled hunting dog of medium-to-large build, with pendant ears and light eyes in shades from amber to grey-blue.143
Colourssilver greyroe greymouse greyshades between thesesmall white marks on chest and toes allowed154
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Weimaraner. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseAbout 120 minutes a dayevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Very high. The Royal Kennel Club recommends more than two hours of exercise a day. Running, hiking, retrieving and scent work suit the breed well, and it also enjoys hunt tests, tracking, obedience, agility and lure coursing.53
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Easy for the short coat: a weekly rub-down with a rubber curry brush or hound glove keeps it sleek, with a bath only now and then. The long-haired variety needs a little more brushing to keep the feathering tidy. The breed does shed.523
Home where they are happiest
Best in an active home with a securely fenced garden and regular access to open space. As a short-coated dog it should sleep indoors in a warm, draught-free spot during cold months. It prefers living alongside its family rather than being kennelled.82
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete, good-quality diet formulated for large, active breeds, with portions adjusted to age and workload. Puppies do well on a large-breed puppy formula.2
Company who they like around
Needs plenty of companionship and should not be left alone for long stretches. It usually gets on well with other medium and large dogs. Because of its strong prey drive, early introductions and supervision are advised around cats and small pets.28
The story where it all began
The Weimaraner takes its name from Weimar in central Germany, where tradition links it to the hunting court of Grand Duke Karl August in the early 1800s. Early dogs still carried a lot of old hound blood and were used on large game, and gamekeepers and professional hunters in the region crossed them with other hunting dogs over the following decades. The breed was recognised as distinct in 1891, systematic breeding started around 1890, and it has been bred pure since about 1900. A breed club was founded in Erfurt in 1897, and it kept tight control over who could own the dogs. As big game became scarcer the Weimaraner was reshaped into an all-round pointer and retriever for birds. The American sportsman Howard Knight brought the breed to the United States in 1929 and went on to found the Weimaraner Club of America. The AKC recognised it in 1943, and interest grew further after the Second World War as returning soldiers brought dogs home from Germany. The FCI gave definitive acceptance in 1954, UKC followed in 1955, and the breed reached Britain in the 1950s. Short-haired and long-haired varieties have both been recognised since around the turn of the 20th century.165924
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
Its shimmering grey coat and quiet way of moving through the field earned the breed the nickname 'Grey Ghost'.3
2
Newborn Weimaraner puppies show faint stripes that fade within their first weeks, leaving the familiar silver-grey coat.8
3
Artist William Wegman made Weimaraners famous in photography and video, starting with his dog Man Ray and later Fay Ray and her descendants, who appeared on Sesame Street from 1988.10
4
US President Dwight D. Eisenhower owned a Weimaraner named Heidi.8
5
Actress Grace Kelly was given a Weimaraner as a wedding gift when she married the Prince of Monaco.8
6
The early German breed club was so protective of the breed that it restricted sales to its own members for many years.5
7
The FCI standard still requires Weimaraners to pass a working trial, reflecting their role as versatile hunting dogs.7
Where the name comes from the story behind it
The breed name comes from the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, who developed the breed in the early 19th century at his court in Weimar, Germany.11
Famous ones stars of the breed
Graf Koks von Hohenbaden A Weimaraner owned by the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, considered the foundational dog of the breed.11
I pad through the house, my paws clicking on the floor. My human is making coffee, so I sit beside him, my grey ghost eyes asking for attention. He scratches my ear. Then we're off! The trail is muddy and I splash through puddles, nose down, hunting scents. I find a stick and carry it proudly. At home, I flop on the couch, my head on his lap, watching the door. I'm always ready for the next adventure.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Recognised by the official bits
FCI
Standard No. 99, Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.1 Continental Pointing Dogs, Braque type; definitive acceptance 27 Nov 1954; current standard published 19 Mar 2015; two varieties (short-haired and long-haired); subject to a working trial7
The Royal Kennel Club
Gundog Group; smooth and long-haired coats both recognised within the one breed5
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Weimaraner, and at what times?
Feed your adult Weimaraner at least two meals a day, and puppies three to four smaller meals. Your vet can help set the best schedule for your dog's age and activity level.213
What should a Weimaraner eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A complete, good-quality diet formulated for large, active breeds is best. Avoid chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and anything with xylitol, these are especially dangerous for dogs.214
How often should I bathe a Weimaraner?
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, but you can bathe more often if needed. The short coat doesn't need frequent baths.15Pet Wiki plan
How often does a Weimaraner need brushing?
A weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush or hound glove keeps the coat sleek. The long-haired variety needs a bit more brushing to keep feathering tidy.52315Pet Wiki plan
How do I trim a Weimaraner's nails, and how often?
Trim nails about every four weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time and stop before the quick, your vet or groomer can show you how.15Pet Wiki plan
How much exercise does a Weimaraner need?
Your Weimaraner needs more than two hours of exercise daily, running, hiking, retrieving, and scent work are great. Pet Wiki's plan recommends about 120 minutes a day.53Pet Wiki plan
How do I look after a Weimaraner's teeth and ears?
Brush your Weimaraner's teeth two to three times a week with a dog toothpaste, and check their floppy ears weekly for moisture or dirt. Never put anything into the ear canal.15Pet Wiki plan
How long does a Weimaraner live?
Weimaraners typically live 10 to 15 years, with good care and regular vet check-ups.256
Is a Weimaraner good with children and other pets?
Weimaraners are friendly and bond closely with their family, and usually get along well with other medium and large dogs. Because of their strong prey drive, early introductions and supervision are advised around cats and small pets.28
Can a Weimaraner be left alone?
Weimaraners thrive on company and should not be left alone for long periods. They do best living indoors with their family rather than in a kennel.2843
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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