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Weimaraner Breed Information

Being-Human-William-Wegman-Striking-and-
The Basics...

  • Known as the "Gray Ghost" because of their coat color

  • Sporting Breed

  • Originally bred in Germany in the1800s

  • Eyes change color from blue as puppies to gray, amber, or a bluish-gray

  • They like to roll around on the ground to hide their scent

  • Average shedders

  • Thrive with positive reinforcement

  • Should socialize early

  • Highly intelligent and athletic

  • Need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation

  • Known for "nooking" or making a sucking noise when they are sleeping

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Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed.

HEIGHT

25-27 inches (male)

23-25 inches (female)

WEIGHT

70-90 pounds (male)

55-75 pounds (female)

LIFE EXPECTANCY

10-13 years

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  • Longer coat with "feathers" on the legs, torso and tail 

  • full tail

  • Longer coat provides extra layer of protection 

  • Bred with long hair because they are better suited for hunting waterfowl

  • Long hair is result of both parents having the recessive gene

  • Kennel clubs throughout Europe recognize and include the long haired coat in breed standards such as the United Kennel Club in England 

  • AKC does not recognize long hair as a breed standard, similar to not recognizing multi-color poodle coats

  • Long haired Weimaraners can be registered with the AKC and compete in events such as obedience and agility

  • No extra care needed other than normal brushing and maybe trimming the "feathers"

Long Haired Weimaraners

Grand Duke Karl August
Grand Duke Karl August of the Weimar region of Germany is credited with developing the Weimaraner breed. The goal was to develop the "ultimate hunting dog" for hunting large game like bear, boar, and deer. Bloodhound, German Short Haired Pointer, and other possible French and German hunting dogs were crossbred to create the breed.
Mamie Eisenhower with Heidi the White House Weimaraner who liked to jump on people who approached her owners.
Heidi with Mamie Eisenhower
Grace Kelly with 1 of the 2 dogs she received as wedding gifts
Grace Kelly with her Weimaraner that was a wedding present
History:

Weimaraners were originally bred by the Grand Duke Karl August of Germany in the early 19th century.  He was on a quest to develop the perfect hunting dog to outshine other European aristocratic sportsmen. By crossing bloodhounds with German and French Hunting dogs he developed the Weimar Pointer or Weimaraner. 

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The Duke and his hunting parties initially hunted big game like bears, wolves, and even mountain lions, but once the populations diminished, they used Weimaraners to retrieve game-birds.

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The breed did not enter the world stage until the 1920s and even then they were only bred in Germany. They saw a surge in popularity in the United States in the 1950s when Heidi the Weimaraner moved into the White House with her owner, President Eisenhower.  Heidi was known for "protecting" the First Lady from photographers, standing between her and the reporters.

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