This dog can be easily identified by its smooth gray coat and blue eyes. It is a well-rounded dog that can excel in the right hands.
Proper training is a must for this breed, and it is preferable to give it professional training. If left to its own devices, this dog will embody all the negative qualities a dog could possibly have: aggressive, noisy, destructive, greedy, bossy, and so on. But with proper training, socialization, and exercise in a well-fenced yard, the Weimaraner can be an excellent companion.
Weimaraner History
The history of the Weimaraner only dates to the early 1800s, and it is said to be an indirect product of Bloodhound and Retriever breeding. More specifically, it is said to have come from specialized Bloodhound and German Shorthaired Pointer breeding.
In Germany, it was originally called the Weimar Pointer. Unlike most breeds, it appeared in the U.S. in 1929, approximately 30 years before arriving in the U.K. The popularity of the dog came with regular endorsements from hunting nobles in Germany.
The breed never gained widespread fame, however, because Germany’s Weimaraner Club controlled all of the dog’s breeding for most of the 19th century. In 1929, an American sportsman was allowed to bring only two dogs to the States, where the breed slowly grew as a popular hunting companion.
After the dog’s inception into the AKC in 1943, it ironically performed in more U.S. dog shows than it ever did in Germany.
It is up to the owner whether they want an angel or a devil. This retriever is relentless, brave, extroverted, and energetic. But only in the right hands can these characteristics be a good thing. If taught self-control, this dog will work great in a family. But if not, it could destroy the house and accidentally hurt children and the elderly while romping in its 70 lb. body.
The Weimaraner is no slouch either, and it will become extremely bored if confined to an apartment or small backyard. The countryside is definitely the place for this breed.
If strong leadership is established at a young age and training is regular and fun, then the Weimaraner has great potential to succeed, even in obedience and agility competitions. The majority of the Weimaraner’s life will be education. If a prospective owner is not willing to deal with the potential frustration, then they should look somewhere else.
The Weimaraner's smooth, short coat is easy to care for. Brushing
should be done with a firm bristle brush. They should only be bathed when
absolutely necessary. They do well with occasional dry shampooing. They
should have their feet and mouth inspected for damage after exercise or
work sessions. The Weimaraner is prone to bloating, so small meals two
times a day are best. They may suffer from hip dysplasia but are
generally healthy.
The Weimaraner is full of energy. They are eager to learn and
please and are motivated by rewards such as treats or praise. This breed
does not respond to harsh discipline and once mistrustful will avoid any
and all further attempts of training. The Weimaraner excels at obedience,
agility, hunting and showing.
Common Health Issues for the Weimaraner:
Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Less Common Health Issues for the Weimaraner:
Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Addison's Disease an adrenal gland deficiency that requires lifelong hormo...
Amyloidosis abnormal protein deposits in joints, kidneys, and other organs, whic...
Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma a type of malignant tumor
Anemia A decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or the amount of hemoglobi...
Aortic Stenosis malformed heart valve
Arrhythmias abnormal, erratic heartbeats
Atrial Septal Defect An atrial septal defect is a defect or hole in ...
Bacterial Skin Infections Pyoderma is the medical term used to ...
Bladder Cancer malignant tumor of the urinary bladder
Blocked Tear Ducts malformed ducts between the eye and nose, leading to p...
Blood Cell Toxins
Bone Cancer
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome one or more respiratory abnorm...
Brain Tumors cancer of the brain
Breast Adenocarcinoma malignant breast tumor
Breast Cancer malignant breast tumor
Bronchitis
Cancer
Canine Alzheimer's Disease Canine cognitive dysfunction "...
Cauda Equina Syndrome compression of the nerves in the lower spine cau...
Cerebellar Atrophy breakdown of a part of the brain leading to lack of co...
Cherry Eye protruding third-eyelid gland
Ciliary Dyskinesia failure of microscopic hairs lining the respiratory tr...
Clotting Issues
Collapsing Trachea flattened tracheal cartilage that makes it harder to b...
Congestive Heart Failure In congestive heart failure, the heart ...
Conjunctivitis
Coonhound Paralysis Coonhound paralysis is an acute neurologic disord...
Copper Storage Disease
Corneal Ulcers painful erosion on the surface of the eye
Crystals and Stones
Cushing's Disease overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands
Cystine Urine Crystals abnormal mineral deposits in the urine that ca...
Dancing Dobermans
Deep Bacterial Skin Infections
Demodectic Mange
Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies
Dilated Cardiomyopathy disease that causes weakened heart contraction...
Dizziness
Droopy Face
Dry Eye
Ductus Arteriosus
Dudley Nose
Dyskinesia
Ectopic Ureters tubes from the kidneys that connect with the urethra rather ...
Ectropion
Encephalitis brain inflammation, often causing seizures, abnormal behavior, or ...
Epilepsy Epilepsy simply refers to repeated seizures.
Esophageal Stenosis
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency pancreas that produces l...
Eye Injuries
Eyelash and Eyelid Problems
Facial-Fold Dermatitis recurrent skin infections in dogs with deep fo...
False Pregnancy
Fibrosarcoma
Foot-Dragging
Heart Holes
Heart Murmurs
Heart Tumors
Hemangiosarcoma malignant tumor most often found on the spleen or the heart
Hemolytic Anemia decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's)...
Hemophilia a blood clotting deficiency
Hemophilia B a blood clotting deficiency
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis severe, potentially fatal vomiting a...
Hydrocephalus accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull, potentiall...
Hypoglycemia low blood sugar, potentially leading to seizures
Inguinal Hernia a gap in the abdominal muscles that must be closed surgicall...
Intestinal Cancer
Intussusception
Inward-Growing Eyelashes eyelashes growing from the underside of th...
Irritable Bowel Disease inflammation of the intestines, causing diar...
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca a deficiency in tear production that c...
Kidney Dysplasia malformation of one or both kidneys, potentially leading t...
Kidney Failure
Knee Injuries
Laryngeal Paralysis failure of the larynx to open fully, causing breathi...
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease disintegration of the hip joint
Lens Luxation The lens of the eye normally lies immediately behind the iris...
Leukemia
Little White Shaker Syndrome brain disorder causing severe head...
Liver Problems
Liver Tumors
Low Platelets
Lung Clots
Luxating Kneecaps Patellar luxation is usually a congenital condition i...
Lyme Disease
Lymphoma a blood cell cancer affecting the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organ...
Lysosomal Storage Disease enzyme deficiency that causes nerve-cell...
Megaesophagus an esophagus that doesn't contract properly, leading to regurgit...
Meningitis
Mouth Tumors
Multiple Myeloma
Neck Instability disorder of the upper spine that can lead to pain or paral...
Nerve Atrophy breakdown of nerve
Neutering
Osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis (also known as OCD) is a common, painful ...
Osteosarcoma a bone cancer
Pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas, causing severe abdominal pain and vo...
Pannus an inflammatory disease of the eyes
Paralysis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus an abnormal connection between the pulmona...
Phosphofructokinase Deficiency
Platelet Deficiency blood disorder potentially leading to bruising or bl...
Portosystemic Shunt Portosystemic shunts are abnormal vascular connec...
Pulmonic Stenosis a malformed heart valve
Pyloric Stenosis narrowing of the opening between the stomach and small int...
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency a condition causing anemia
Respiratory Tract Cancer
Retinal Dysplasia Retinal dysplasia is a type of retinal malformation.<...
Scabies Sarcoptes scabiei var canis infestation ("scabies") is a h...
Seborrhea skin disease causing severe skin flaking and, sometimes, skin infections...
Seizures
Shedding
Shock
Skin Cancer any of several malignancies that target the skin
Spinal Cord Tumors
Spinal Disk Disease disk degeneration leading to pain, weakness, or para...
Splitting Nails
Squamous Cell Carcinoma a type of skin cancer
Stomach Cancer malignant tumor in the stomach
Submissive Peeing
Swollen Ear
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus an immune-system attack on various...
Tail-Fold Dermatitis skin irritation caused by moisture and bacteria ac...
Tearstaining Tear stains are reddish/brownish marks found on the inside corn...
Territorial Aggression
Testicular Tumor cancer of a testicle
Tetralogy of Fallot a severe heart defect
Tick Paralysis Tick paralysis is an acute, progressive, ascending motor pa...
Urinary Stones rocklike mineral deposits in the kidneys or bladder that can p...
Urinary Tract Cancer Cancer of the canine urinary bladder tract.
Uterine Infection The word “pyometra” is derived from latin...
Uveodermatologic Disorder immune-system attack on the eyes and the...
Valve Disease malformation or malfunction of one or more of the four heart val...
Vascular Ring Anomaly blood vessel defect that can constrict the esoph...
Ventricular Septal Defect a hole between the lower two chambers of...
Von Willebrand's Disease A group of inherited conditions that af...
Wobbler Syndrome instability of the neck vertebrae leading to pain, leg wea...
Wobbly Kneecaps Medial patella luxation is a condition in which the ...
Wobbly Necks Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy, commonly called Wobbler&rsq...
Weimaraner Club of America