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The loving breed we know today has had quite the busy history. From being bred as a German aristocratic gun-dog, to loveable pet, Weimaraners’ temperaments have been shaped by their history. The characteristics that today make them incredibly loyal and loving pets, also make them popular sports dogs.

Through this article, we’ll dive deep into the Weimaraner’s history, their breed characteristics, and more. You will find a complete overview as to why they have become one of the world’s most popular dog breed.

History

Weimaraners, compared with most other gun-dog breeds, are a relatively new breed. While no-one knows their exact origin, they do appear in a Van Dyke painting in the early 1600s. Despite this, they never appeared prominently until the 19^th century in a German court where they have received their name from, Weimar.

Germany

It is likely that the Weimaraner is a descendant of a combination of German hunting dogs. The breeds include the Short-Haired Pointer, Bloodhound, St. Hubert Hound, and the now extinct Chien-gris dog.

Eventually, the Weimaraner found itself in the court of Charles August, Grand Duke of Weimar. He is said to have bred Bloodhounds and other various Schweisshund and French gun-dog breeds together to create the Weimar-pointer, now known as the Weimaraner. This is where the Weimaraner’s history is often debated. While the breed has appeared in the 1600s in paintings, it is often claimed to be created in Weimar in the 1800s.

The Courts of Weimar

Weimaraners were very popular in the courts of Weimar. Praised for their hunting abilities and loyal nature which made them the perfect companion. Grand Duke Charles August had a dream of creating the perfect hunting dog, the envy of the courts of Europe. As an avid sportsman, he would regularly take his prized Weimaraners hunting.

At first, they hunted big game. Weimaraners were experts at tracking and hunting bears, mountain lions, and wolves. However, the population of big game in Europe began to disappear. Hunted to the brink of extinction, these big game predators became rarer to find, and so too did the Weimaraner. The professional big-game hunting dogs fell out of style as their purpose diminished.

But, in the courts of Weimar, the Weimaraner was still a much-loved breed. The loyalty that made them excellent hunting dogs made them extremely loveable companions. So, to save the breed, the Weimaraner was transformed into an excellent all-purpose hunter, bred to go after small game. This is where modern Weimaraners get their insatiable urge to chase after small animals like cats or squirrels.

Exclusivity

Not wanting their efforts at breeding the perfect gun-dog to be tainted by foreign copies, the Weimar nobles restricted the ownership and breeding rights of Weimaraners to those who were members of the German Weimaraner Club. In fact, for many years the breed was kept as a closely guarded secret. This policy remained in place until the 1920s.

In 1929 after a relentless series of requests the German Weimaraner Club gave in and let an American Sportsman and dog breeder, Howard Knight, have two Weimaraners. However, these Weimaraners were desexed, preventing him from breeding them.

World War Two

It wasn’t until after World War Two that the Weimaraner was finally bred in the United States. During the Allied invasion of Germany, war-stricken Weimaraner breeders gave their dogs to U.S. soldiers in order to save the breed. These soldiers, in love with their new puppies (who wouldn’t be?), took them home to their families, finally bringing the Weimaraner to the United States properly.

United States

Initial popularity

When the Weimaraner’s first arrived in the United States they were a huge hit. They perfectly matched the outdoorsy, suburban lifestyle of the era. With their family friendly and loyal nature, these dogs took over the hearts and minds of a nation. From here, the dogs were exported across the world.

It seemed everyone owned a Weimaraner during this period. They became one of the most sought-after dog breeds in the world, far outpacing other popular breeds of the time.

The President’s dog

Weimaraners reached peak popularity in the 1950s during the Eisenhower Presidency. This was all thanks to President Eisenhower’s lovable Weimaraner, Heidi. She was cute, loyal, fun, she was everything a Weimaraner is now famous for. Unfortunately for Heidi, she is also known as the first dog to get kicked out of the White House.

Heidi had a weak bladder. It had gotten her into trouble many times before from the Eisenhowers. But one time it became quite bad. She had an accident on a rug in the diplomatic reception room. It wasn’t just any rug; it was a $20,000 ($160K today) rug. For that, she was sent to the Eisenhower’s farm in Pennsylvania. By this point however, it was too late, as the public already loved her.

Heidi was very protective of her owners. She would constantly jump in the way of photographers, or simply jump on top of them. President Eisenhower adored Heidi, who would have the full run of the White House and would regularly nap in the Oval Office, where she would receive head scratches and belly rubs from the President.

Decline in popularity

Unfortunately, the German Weimaraner Owners Club’s worst fears came to be realised. The Weimaraners popularity, combined with lax breeding controls, resulted in many breeding defects. Due to its sheer popularity puppies were being pushed out of breeding farms at exuberant rates, resulting in sub-par puppies who began crippling the breed. Eventually, the quality became so poor that Weimaraners fell dramatically out of popularity. Though this would ultimately save the breed.

William Wegman

William Wegman began to bring Weimaraners back to popularity during the 1980s. With his Weimaraner, Man Ray, and his endearing deadpan presence, Wegman created a series of photographs that took the world by storm. Soon after Man Ray passed away, in 1986, Wegman got a new dog, Fay Ray, and soon was continuing his dog photography series. Now Wegman’s Weimaraner photography is everywhere, in calendars, art galleries, children’s books and more.

Return to popularity

With the art of William Wegman pushing the breed into the public consciousness once again, along with tighter breeding controls, the Weimaraner began its return to popularity. Now the 34^th most popular breed in the United States, many new owners are experiencing this fun, loving, loyal breed for themselves.

Characteristics

The Weimaraner has several well-known and defining characteristics, ranging from its appearance to its temperament, but it is universally loved and recognised for its loyal and friendly nature. The breed is extremely intelligent, yet they can be exceptionally headstrong and assertive. They require owners who are willing and able to put in the necessary time and effort to raise a well-trained and tempered dog, bringing out the best in them the breed has to offer.

In addition to being great companions and family pets, Weimaraners are also notable for their regal and aristocratic presence. A quality emphasised by their long history of belonging to Grand Dukes in the 1800s, to Presidents like Eisenhower in the 1950s. Weimaraners became a recognised breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1943.

Appearance

Weimaraners are often referred to as ‘Grey Ghosts’ due to their unique and striking appearance and their tendency to constantly shadow their owners. They have sleek, silvery coats and the breed consists of a few different colours within the grey/blue family such as:

• Charcoal-blue,
• Mouse-grey,
• Silver-grey, and
• Blue-grey.

A well-bred, pure Weimaraner should be of a solid colour, with the occasional exception of only a white spot on their chest.

To pair with their unusual colouring, Weimaraners have eyes that vary from blue-grey, grey and light amber. Their eyes are further accentuated by their sombre, almost human-like expressions and large velvety ears, something noticeable within William Wegman’s famous dog series. They also have webbed feet, making them fantastic swimmers, something that contributes to their adventurous, eager to explore and active nature.

The long-haired Weimaraner

Less common, and lesser known, is the long-haired Weimaraner, which also shares the same silver dominant colouring. However, whilst recognised by some countries, the long-haired Weimaraner is not accepted by the AKC, despite attempts to change this ruling. It is believed that both the short and long-haired versions of the Weimaraner have been in the breed since the initial stages of its development in Germany. Long hair within the Weimaraner breed is a recessive trait, and many short-haired Weimaraners will carry the gene.

AKC breed standard

It was early practice for Weimaraners to have their tails docked. Its purpose was to minimise tail injuries during hunting expeditions until it became, and remains, part of the AKC’s breed standard. The AKC also specifies the size and weight standards for the breed, which differs between males and females. Female Weimaraners are often smaller and lighter than males at 23-25 inches in height, as opposed to males who can range between 25-27 inches.

Temperament

The selective breeding and desired use of the Weimaraner throughout history has shaped the temperament of this breed. Weimaraners have an eclectic array of traits that make them lovable, exciting and friendly dogs who are suitable pets for many dog owners. However, they also have several traits that make them a breed which requires diligent training and constant attention. Bred first as the perfect aristocrat hunting dog, Weimaraners were developed to remain close and extremely loyal to their owners.

Whilst today they have remained just that, loyal and affectionate, they are very prone to severe separation anxiety if not given the attention, affection and companionship they require. They don’t cope well with prolonged isolation and loneliness and can turn to destruction to cope with their anxiety. Their need for attention can translate to their more sensitive and protective traits. If not socialised appropriately, with humans and other dogs, during their first few puppy years, Weimaraners can become overly protective of their ‘pack’ and aloof towards strangers. However, Weimaraners can be incredibly family and kid-friendly dogs who will shower you with affection and love, the perfect addition to any household.

Hunting instincts

Though initially used as big game hunting dogs, with larger prey becoming less available, they were bred to chase after smaller game. Though temperament will vary between dogs, Weimaraners have a strong prey drive and shouldn’t be left alone with smaller animals or pets like cats or birds, as they can revert to their hunting instincts and potentially maim smaller animals, especially if under the stress of separation anxiety.

At times, the Weimaraner can be challenging and headstrong, as they are very assertive and wilful and will try to gain dominance if given the chance. However, for those who are active and able to provide the necessary time and effort, the Weimaraner might just be the perfect dog.

Health

Weimaraners have an average lifespan of 11-14 years and, though less common than in other hunting dog breeds, they can still develop a few health issues. Some of these issues are:

• Bloat and gastric torsion,
• cancer,
• hip dysplasia,
• skin allergies, and
• heart disease.

Bloat and gastric torsion are two of the most serious and deadly health issues to affect a Weimaraner. Their symptoms can develop in a matter of hours and be deadly in just as little time.

To minimise the likelihood of your Weimaraner developing any serious health issues, the AKC recommends Weimaraner owners undertake the following health tests:

• Hip evaluation,
• ophthalmologist evaluation, and
• thyroid evaluation.

Weimaraners also love to hunt and explore anything and everything, chewing whatever they can get their mouth on. This can make them prone to mouth or gum injuries, so owners should be aware of and make sure there are no chewable objects lying around the home, especially when dogs are alone.

Breeding

During the initial surge of Weimaraner popularity in the United States during the 1950s, lenient breeding controls resulted in Weimaraner defects and the quality of the breed decreased, with temperament issues at the forefront. As a result, the popularity of the Weimaraner decreased, however, this gave dedicated breeders the opportunity to improve the issues caused by irresponsible breeding. Over the following years, proper and selective breeding control improved the health and temperament of Weimaraners, increasing their popularity once more.

Ownership

Training

Weimaraners require dedicated owners who will provide them with consistent socialisation and training from an early age. Doing so will help your Weimaraner overcome the breed’s tendency to develop dominant, shy or aggressive behaviour. It’s recommended to attend a few obedience classes if you are a new Weimaraner owner so you can learn how to manage their need for attention and potentially anxious nature.

As they are an intelligent breed, Weimaraners enjoy the training process and opportunity to please their owners. However, they are not a breed that takes well to physical or negative punishment during the training process, as they are highly sensitive. If you use negative reinforcement to train your Weimaraner, they’ll likely become resentful and go out of their way to avoid you and ignore commands. Using punishment can also increase the likelihood of Weimaraners developing aggressive or unwanted behaviour.

Feeding

Whilst how much you feed your adult dog will vary depending on their size, age, metabolism and activity level, it’s recommended to feed them twice a day. Weimaraner’s are usually early risers, so feeding them at approximately 7:30 am and then again at 3:30 pm is a good routine to establish. It’s important to feed them ample raw meats and veggies, alongside some quality kibble. A great diet will help reduce the possibility of your Weimaraner developing any skin issues or rashes or health problems.

Due to their active nature, their diet needs to be high in protein and healthy fats, so be sure to add in a few extra health foods, like fish oil and egg, to have them looking and feeling their best. Adding fish oil to your Weimaraner’s meal once a day will improve the health of their coat and maintain its shine. An additional benefit is the essential fatty acids fish oil provides, which will aid joint recovery after a day of inevitable and intense physical activity. Throw in a few fresh chicken bones, like necks and drumsticks, to help with maintaining dental hygiene.

In the morning, feed your Weimaraner a protein-heavy breakfast. This is when you’ll give them the bulk of their raw foods for the day, as they’ll need and use all the energy it gives them. In the afternoon, for their second feed, opt for kibble and low protein meals, as protein-rich foods increase urine production. If you’re house training your puppy, or just want to avoid the risk of an evening accident, then make sure you feed them a low protein meal no later than around 4 pm.

Grooming

Weimaraners are easy to groom and care for, but there are still a few things you can do to ensure the process always remains so. To ensure they become accustomed to grooming, examine your Weimaraner often when they are a puppy. Pay attention to their paws, picking them up often, and inspect their ears and mouth often. When it comes to clipping their toenails when they’re an adult, you’ll be grateful you laid the groundwork early on. Aim to clip your dog’s nails weekly. Like other dogs with hanging or pendant ears, Weimaraners may develop ear infections. With them accustomed to having their ears handled, it will be far easier to administer any ear drops or clean their ears.

Even with all their outdoor adventures, that will surely take them through mud and dirt, with a short, sleek and smooth coat, cleaning is usually a breeze. It’s recommended to brush your Weimaraners weekly using a bristle brush. This will minimise the amount of shedding you find around the house while also providing skin health benefits. Whilst a Weimaraner’s coat is usually short and sleek, longhaired Weimaraners may require slightly more attention in the grooming department, particularly with their slightly longer haired ears and tails.

Exercise

With Weimaraners, there’s no such thing as too much exercise. They need a minimum of two hours of high intensity exercise each day. They are the perfect companion for outdoor enthusiasts, active individuals and those who enjoy hunting. Part of a Weimaraner’s appeal is the breed’s strong desire to please and connect with its owner. Whilst they will enjoy running around a dog park and socialising with other dogs, they prefer forms of physical activity they can do with you. Being active together is a fantastic way to forge a strong bond and really experience a Weimaraners loyal and loving nature.

As Weimaraners were initially bred for hunting, it’s no wonder they excel at sports and activities requiring agility, obedience, tracking and retrieving. Switching between locations like the dog parks, beaches and bushland, will give your Weimaraner the perfect mix of socialisation and adventure that will keep them happy and content. It will also provide them with plenty of opportunities to exercise their natural instincts.

When you can’t get out and engage in activity with your Weimaraner, you’ll need to ensure you provide them with an alternative outlet to burn off their energy each day. If you have a Weimaraner puppy, they don’t require as much exercise as an adult dog, and the type of activity should be less intense. Slowly increase exercise intensity and length as they age, and while they’re young, stick to off leash activities. Leave on-leash running exercise to the older more developed dog.

Although physical activity is certainly a priority, since the breed is highly intellectual, they require plenty of mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Include a few different types of mental reward activities each week until you figure out which works best for your dog. If a Weimaraner’s cognitive abilities aren’t tested, they’ll likely channel their boredom into destructive behaviour or develop excessive chewing behavioural issues.

Conclusion

From a history of being bred in Germany and belonging aristocrat individuals, what was once an exclusive breed is now a universally loved companion. It’s easy to understand why the Weimaraner is such a well-known and popular breed. It’s loyal, obedient and affectionate temperament makes it an ideal addition to the right family. As a highly intellectual and emotional breed, the Weimaraner is well suited to those who can spend quality and consistent time with one of man’s best friends. To hear more from current Weim owners, click through to our WeimLife forum.