The high energy Weimaraner has a boisterous, playful nature and needs a great deal of exercise and training.
Weimaraners will often stay ‘teenagers’ well into middle age and are often very high energy dogs. You will need to work hard to gain your Weimaraners attention during training sessions and take care to socialise your dog well. This breed often forms a very close bond with its family and they have a tendency towards separation anxiety, so they are not suited to long periods of solitude.
If you own a Weimaraner get ready for some big bills. They have some very common health conditions and require lots of feeding. They can also be a little accident-prone!
WHAT DOES THE BREED WANT IN THEIR PERFECT LIFE PARTNER/FAMILY?
I would love to live with someone who has time to spend taking me to agility, flyball or obedience training. Without a couple of hours of exercise a day I often don’t cope with being alone, so please ensure you have the energy to keep up with me.
AT A GLANCE
| Lifespan | 11-14 years |
| Weight | 25-37 kg |
| Height (at shoulder) | 58-68 cm |
PERSONALITY
Lively – these are very active little dogs and need lots of activity and stimulation. They are often very excitable, particularly when their owners come home.
Excitable – this is definitely a fun-loving breed. They love to play and are high energy dogs that rely on getting lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They are often very boisterous dogs if not given limits and love people and other dogs.
Intelligent – These intelligent dogs are very trainable and need at least 2 hours a day of exercise and training when young and continuing on into adult-hood. Without mental stimulation and training they become easily bored and sometimes destructive.
EXERCISE & TRAINING
| Exercise Requirements | Very High – 2+ hours per day |
| Training Requirements | High – 1-2 hours per day |
| Apartment Friendly? | No |
Many owners of Weimaraners are exhausted just watching their dog play at the park. Their boundless energy and hyperactive nature means they really do need in excess of 2 hours a day of exercise and training, as well as games, puzzles and activities to do when alone. They are ideally suited to agility or flyball.
GROOMING
| Trips to the Groomer | No- easy care at home | |
| Tick Friendly? | Yes | |
| Hypoallergenic | No | |
| Brushing | Low – Little to no brushing required | |
| Hair fall | Moderate Shed – will drop some hair, but not excessive | |
| Coat Type | Short |
The easy-care coat of the Weimaraner means they rarely need brushing or bathing, unless they are prone to allergies.
FAMILY SITUATION
| Good With Kids | Good – okay with older kids, but maybe not those under 5 | |
| Good With Other Small Pets | Low – Strong prey drive, best kept separate from other smaller species | |
| Sociability | High – Loves other dogs and best in a multi-dog household. |
Weimaraners can be too boisterous and highly strung for young children, but love the busy activities of family life. They do also love to live with another dog of similar temperament.
EXPENSES
| Overall Expenses (Annual) | High $2000+ | |
| Veterinary Expenses (Annual) | High – $300-$500+ | |
| Food Expenses (Weekly) | High – $20-$30+ |
These can be expensive dogs to own due to their large size, appetite and accident-prone nature.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
MAJOR HEALTH CONCERNS
Bloat and Gastric Volvulus: Large deep-chested breeds are prone to bloat, which is where the stomach rapidly expands with gas and fluid. Bloat can often then lead to torsion or twisting of the stomach, which is rapidly fatal if not treated immediately.
Hip Displaysia – Many breeds are prone to hip dysplasia, and while more breeders are hip scoring in an attempt to breed out this devastating disease, in some cases it can still occur, particularly with overfeeding at a young age.
Elbow Dysplasia – This common cause of fore-limb lameness occurs in many large breeds and is caused by several possible defects, including osteochondrosis and an incongruous growth rate between the radius and ulnar of the fore-arm. This disorder is another reason not to overfeed a growing dog. Weimeraners do have a comparatively low incidence of this disease now.
Hypothyroidism – a hormonal condition that often leads to weight gain, lethargy, thinning hair and skin. The condition is very easy to treat with daily medication.
Hyperuricosuria – leading to high uric acid and bladder stones is a genetic defect. There is now a DNA test to identify carriers of the gene.
PREVENTATIVE CARE & WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
Ask your breeder about testing their animals for Hyperuricosuria, hip dysplasia and the incidence of elbow problems.
To lessen the risk of bloat and voluvulus, avoid feeding just one large meal a day, smaller meals are better. Exercise should be avoided within 1 hour of feeding.
Weimeraners can be determined chewers as puppies, so monitor them closely and use only safe chew toys that don’t have parts that can be swallowed.
Avoid over feeding and over exercising your growing Weimeraner to lessen the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia.
BREED ORIGIN AND INTERESTING FACTS
Weimaraners were bred during the early 19th Century in Germany in a town called Weimer. It is thought that similar dogs may have been present as early as the 13th Century.
The Weimaraner is often called the ‘grey ghost’ due to its colouring.
The Weimaraner was often used for hunting wolves, bear, boars and deer.
The Weimaraner is closely related to a bloodhound, so they have an amazing ability to chase scents.
All Weimaraners have blue eyes as puppies, these can turn brown or end up grey as they get older.
The Weimaraners is often called ‘the dog with a human brain’ due to their intelligence.
RESCUE A WEIMERANER
Petfinder lists all types of dogs who need homes, both purebred and mixed breeds, adults and puppies.
The ARSPCA often has Pugs for adoption, just do an advanced search on their adoption page.
