10 Facts You Need to Know About Weimaraner Dogs
Weimaraners are loyal, intelligent, active, loving dogs with a protective instinct. In the 19th century, Weimaraners belonged to the Weimar aristocrats, who bred Weimar Pointers for big-game hunting.
This type of dog is considered one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world, as they have great intelligence and a very pure heart when it comes to their owners.
Despite its good personality and behavior, one of its characteristic traits is stubbornness, especially when it is a puppy, so it will need a firm education to avoid future problems. The Weimaraner must know who the “pack” leader is and respect all members of the family.
Here we will tell you 10 things you need to know about these beautiful dogs:
They are a Breed of Large Dogs
Weimaraner dogs represent one of the largest breeds of dogs in the world.
These beautiful dogs can grow up to 68 cm tall. Female Weimaraners weigh between 31 kg to 36 kg and are 55 cm to 65 cm tall. On the other hand, male Weimaraners tend to weigh between 34 kg to 38 kg and are between 60 cm to 70 cm in height.
The males are somewhat taller than the females, but there is not much difference in relation to other races.
As you can see, they are really big animals, so they need a large house and garden with enough space to move freely and comfortably. In the event that you prefer your pet to live with you inside your home, make sure your home is large and spacious enough to live with it.
If a person or family lives in an apartment or small residence, then adopting a Weimaraner dog is a bad idea.
They Have Great Intelligence
Weimaraner dogs are extremely intelligent, insightful, and resourceful. They have the ability to learn very quickly everything you teach them, thanks to their incredible memory that allows them to remember many of the things they have seen or heard.
In the Coren ranking of canine intelligence, the Weimaraner canine ranks 25th out of a total of 138 different classified dog breeds, making them excellent working dogs with a wide range of potential applications.
In fact, people sometimes recognize this animal as the “dog with a human brain.” Many Weimaraner owners have to learn to channel their dogs’ intelligence from an early age, or they could be “teased” by their pets in the future.
Some of the tricks that make a Weimaraner dog considered a very intelligent animal are:
- Unlock fences.
- Stealing candy in secret without anyone knowing.
- Skillfully escape from boxes.
They Need a Lot of Exercise
They are very active dogs that need a lot of daily exercise. They are large, thin, and slender canines with high energy and resistance levels, helping them remain stable during hours of training. Helping your pet exercise is very important, as it keeps it active and fit.
If you are not committed to walking your Weimaraner dog for at least two sessions a day of one hour each, then do not acquire a canine of this breed. A Weimar needs to keep in shape, so you have to make their walks energetic and interesting.
Their Coat is Short, and It is Not Very Strong
The Weimaraner is perhaps best known for its beautiful fur, which is bluish-gray, silver-gray, deer gray, or mouse gray, accompanied by an incredible sheen. The color of the coat is its most predominant and striking characteristic.
These coats are short-haired and single-layered, so they are very easy to care for and are very attractive. They’re also not regular hair shedders, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning your house floor.
They Suffer from Various Diseases
Weimaraner dogs suffer from many diseases that are very common for this breed type. It is important to note that some of them can be hereditary. They have a life expectancy of 11 to 14 years, and throughout their lives, they can have any of the following diseases:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
One of the most common diseases in Weimaraner dogs is hip and elbow dysplasia. Both are hereditary and usually present at 5 or 6 months of age.
Gastric Torsion
It is a common problem in medium-large breeds such as the Weimaraner.
It occurs when dogs overfill their stomach with food or liquid, especially if they constantly exercise, run, or play. This organ ends up dilating since the ligaments and muscles do not support the excessive weight.
Skin Tumors
Another condition that Weimaraners usually suffer from is the appearance of tumors on the skin. The most common skin tumors are:
- Hemangioma
- Hemangiosarcoma.
Common Colds and Allergies
Weimaraner dogs can sometimes get allergies from dust and pollen in the environment. They can also catch a cold if they have been wet for a long time or have spent a long period in the cold outdoor air.
They are Expensive Dogs
Average prices for a Weimaraner dog range from $ 700 to $ 1,500. The dogs of this breed that have been great champions of dog competitions can exceed $ 3,000.
Adult Weimaraner dogs can cost anywhere from $ 2,000 to $ 5,000.
The insurance of a Weimaraner is usually higher than that of most breeds of similar size, due to the breed’s known health problems.
Leaving the animal’s price aside, you have to take into account the additional expenses for the dog. These include:
- Medicines.
- Food.
- Toys.
- A big bed.
- Leash.
- Necklace.
- Vaccines.
- Candies.
- Clothes (optional).
- Shampoo and rinse for dogs.
They are Dogs That Bark a Lot
Weimaraner dogs tend to bark frequently and excessively. When these animals are bored, they simply may start barking because they are not doing anything.
Reasons why Weimaraner dogs bark frequently
- By the need of attention.
- To alert their owner and members of their human family to imminent danger.
- Because they want to drive away other animals that threaten to step on their territory.
- To monitor and defend their territory.
- For fun.
- Because they are hungry or thirsty.
This animal will not always bark for those reasons. Weimaraners have a keen sense of perceiving movements around them, so perhaps they are barking at some other animal or person we have no idea about.
This Breed is Really Soulful and Quite Sensitive
Weimaraners, in general, tend to be very loyal and loving dogs that get along well with everyone but are happier with their families. They require a kind, encouraging treatment and positive reinforcement training. In addition, they tend to be quite sensitive to sudden changes in lifestyle.
Weimaraners are known worldwide as Velcro dogs. That is because they are very attached to their owners. They are very sentimental animals that can suffer from separation anxiety. The Weimaraner will need a lot of attention from you, so it is not ideal for owners who travel a lot (and do not want or can take it with it) or spend too much time away from home.
In short, Weimaraners are good companions, faithful, intelligent, and intuitive, who love their families very much but need a lot of attention.
They Adapt Very Easily to Any Place
The Weimaraner dog has traditionally been considered a hunting dog. Although this is a very active animal that loves nature and lives taking many walks or excursions through the forest, the beach, and other places during the day, it can get used to living in a flat or in the city.
Wherever you are, your Weimaraner dog will adapt easily, because you are its family and will not let you go anywhere.
These dogs adapt very well to living in an apartment with their respective owners, as it is a spacious and comfortable place.
The Weimaraner is Nicknamed “The Gray Ghost”
This nickname is due to the distinctive coloration of the breed. The Weimaraner is often referred to as the “Gray Ghost” because of its fur color. According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, the Weimaraner dog’s coat should be “short, smooth and graceful, solid in color, in shades of mouse gray to silver gray, usually mixing with lighter shades on the head and the ears. ”
There are many owners who claim that when their Weimaraner dogs are sad or down, they tend to camouflage themselves in the fog and disappear completely from the landscape.
When acquiring a dog, regardless of the breed, it is essential to know all its characteristics and daily needs. We cannot have a Weimaraner in our homes without knowing each of the necessary guidelines for their daily care and attention.
Besides, we have to bear in mind that not just any type of family can take care of these dogs. They need people around them who are willing to love them and spend long periods with them.
Family Dog Expert Author
Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.