From making appearances in royal courts and timeless artwork such as a Van Dyck painting in the 1600s, the Weimaraner breed has been loved by the elites. Even President Eisenhower had his own favorite Weimaraner in the White House during his tenure. In popular culture, renowned photographer William Wegman captured them in funny costumes and appeared in the TV show ‘Sesame Street’ dressed in clothes.
Weimaraner
Bestowed with beauty and grace, the Weimaraner is the perfect hunting dog friend. A strong, agile, and fast breed, Weimaraners have a sweet friendliness that makes them a most fantastic companion.
Country of Origin
Germany
Breed Group
Sporting Group
Height
Male 25-27 In
Female 23-25 In
Weight
Male 70-90 Ib
Female 55-75 Ib
Life Span
11-13 years
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In a Nutshell
Originally bred as a gundog to handle big game like deer and bear, the Weimaraner, or “Silver Ghost,” was a highly sought-after dog breed in their native Germany. Today, these elegant but demanding dogs can still be found out on the hunting grounds. However, they can also make fine family friends if they get enough exercise.
Life With a Weimaraner
Low (1)
High (5)
Energy level
Trainability Level
Amount of Shedding
Tendency of Barking
Exercise Needs
Kid Friendly
Pet Friendly
Looks & Personality
Regarded as the breed standard, the Weimaraner has signature long faces, lobate-like soft ears, and an approximate 12:11 ratio of its body length and height. They are easily recognizable with a short, smooth coat that comes in different shades of gray. Weimaraner have a dark strip along the ridge and might have a short hair wool cover or a long, slightly wavy cover coat.
Weimaraners have beautiful amber or blue-grey eyes that emanate a look of kindness. They possess strong jaws and well-developed cheekbones with a long angular muzzle. In a word, the Weimaraner is a stunner with a gracefully curved neck, muscular back, well-formed thorax, and low-set tail.
Weimaraners are ideal for you who love active dog hunting, hiking, and the outdoors. As an affectionate pet, this dog is a true family member, is not aggressive, and loves children. That said, you need to keep it active to prevent destructive behavior since they struggle when left alone. Weimaraners make great companions and socialize well with other dogs but don’t tolerate cats.
Common Health Problems
The Weimaraner active lifestyle leads to numerous injuries, such as cuts and scrapes on their gums. Ensure you regularly schedule checkups with your vet to catch other health conditions early enough to avoid fatality.
A tip from a vet
Due to the overly playful nature of the Weimaraner, you should feed them regularly with a high-protein diet. However, since they’re prone to bloating, use small portions and elevated or slow-feeder bowls. These dogs are also counter-surfers, so keep unattended food covered.
A tip from a trainer
The Weimaraner stands out during training since they are intelligent and eager to learn. Their physique gives them strength and grace; as such, these dogs make good exercise partners on jogs - flyball, dock diving, and other dynamic canine sports as they excel in such.
Did You Know
Their eyes change color with age, from light blue as puppies to amber or gray-blue as they get older.
They played a major role in World War 1 in finding missing missile parts thanks to their keen sense of smell.
Weimaraner are also referred to as “Gray/Silver ghosts” due to their appearance when it is foggy.
In The News
The History Behind the Breed
Weimaraner originates from the Weir region in Germany around the 19th century. The noble class sought to produce the perfect sporting dog and thus the breeders relied on French and German dogs to make the Weimaraner. Additionally, bloodhounds were used in breeding the Weimaraner to add onto their superior hunting capabilities.
Over time, the Weimaraner became widely known as a general gun dog, adept at pointing and retrieving game birds. In 1897, the breed was officially recognized, and the German Weimaraner Club was formed. The Weimaraner was highly prized by the Germans and highly sought after by Bavarian sportsmen.
Howard Knight, a famous dog breeder and athlete brought two of these Weimaraners to America in 1929. The Weimaraners’ performed extraordinarily well in obedience trials, thrilled dog enthusiasts, and gained AKC recognition in 1943.
Famous Weimaraner Owners
William Wegman, President Dwight Eisenhower, Princess Grace Kelly, Adrien Brody, Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt, Kendall Jenner
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