• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. Learn More.

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered by Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • The Dog People by Rover.com
  • Dog Breeds
    • Golden Retriever
    • Australian Shepherd
    • German Shepherd
    • Pomeranian
    • Shih Tzu
    • Border Collie
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Boxer
    • Beagle
    • Dachshund
    • Chihuahua
    • Poodle
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
  • Dog Names
    • Best Girl Dog Names
    • Top Boy Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Best Puppy Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Can My Dog Eat…?
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Dog Training
  • Get Rover
    • Dog Boarding
    • Pet Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • House Sitting
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-CA
    • en-GB
    • fr-FR
    • es-ES
    • de-DE
    • it-IT
    • nl-NL
    • nb-NO
    • sv-SE
    • fr-CA

8 Things Only Weimaraner People Know

Share282Pin It1

8 Things Only Weimaraner People Know

For Dog People
By Montreux Rotholtz

Share282Tweet0Pin It1

Some dogs get all the name recognition, like beagles, retrievers, shepherds and pugs. But if you’ve ever seen a sleek, silver-coated dog and wondered, “What kind of dog is that?!”—this piece is for you. Or, if you’ve long been a Weimaraner-adoring fan, we’ve got some fun facts to pull out the next time you see one of these gorgeous pets.

1. Weimaraners Are Known for Their Silvery Coats

You might hear the Weimaraner called the “gray ghost.” According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), they get this spooky nickname because of their silver-gray fur and sleek appearance. Purebred Weimaraners often have a splotch of white on their chest, velvety ears, and a lean and muscular build.

flickr.com/reneeviehmann

2. Weimaraners Are Born Striped

When  puppies are born, the AKC notes, they have a distinctive tiger-stripe pattern and light blue eyes. After a few days, those stripes fade away. As the puppies mature, their eyes change color from light blue to a striking shade of gray or amber. 

3. They Were Born to Hunt

The Weimaraner began as a sporting dog for German nobility. The AKC says they were first bred by the Grand Duke Karl August and the noblemen of the Court of Weimar, who were looking for the perfect hunting dog to track big game like wolves, deer, and boar. They are closely related to bloodhounds and have a similarly powerful sense of smell.

pixabay.com

4. They Need More Than Just Walks

Weimaraners are intelligent and energetic. While most dogs need and love exercise, these dogs really need to tire themselves out to stay healthy and prevent them from getting into mischief. Weimaraners are great companions for active humans and enjoy running, swimming, and hiking. According to PetMD, a Weimaraner who doesn’t get enough exercise and mental stimulation might become restless or destructive.

5. They’re Focused on Their Humans

In addition to their high energy, Weimaraners are highly social. The Weimaraner Club of America notes that these dogs form strong attachments to their humans, and will follow their people around—sometimes even into the shower! They are also prone to separation anxiety when left alone.

flickr.com/kshuron

6. They Can Open Doors

Weimaraners are known for being smart…sometimes a little too smart. According to the Iowa Weimaraner Rescue, many of these dogs can open doors and will frequently help themselves to food on the counter or even in the cabinets.

7. They Can Track Missiles

The Weimaraner’s sense of smell is no joke. Their owners often say it’s “cheating” to enter them in scent tracking events because they win so easily. During the Cold War, Dingo, a Weimaraner with a particularly keen sense of smell, helped locate missile parts so that scientists could study the success or failure of launches.

pixabay.com

8. They’re Used to the Spotlight

Though they’re a relatively new breed (the first Weimaraners were bred in the early 19th century, and the AKC officially recognized them in 1943), these dogs have had a star turn as celebrity companions. Movie star Grace Kelly was a fan, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s rambunctious Weimaraner, Heidi, was the only presidential dog ever banned from the White House (for an untimely accident on a very expensive rug, according to the Presidential Pet Museum website). And fine art photographer William Wegman has been photographing his Weimaraners in elaborate costumes and sets for over 40 years. 

Featured image: Kyra Giesel/Flickr

Share282Tweet0Pin It1

Montreux Rotholtz

Montreux Rotholtz is the author of the poetry collection Unmark (Burnside Review Press), and her work appears in Black Warrior Review, Boston Review, and others. She is the proud best friend of a retriever named Toast, a former stray with lots of anxiety and a heart of gold.

sidebar

By Montreux Rotholtz

Share This Article

Share282Tweet0Pin It1

Popular Posts

  • 3 Frozen Dog Treats You Can Make in Less Than an Hour [Recipe]
  • 5 Reasons Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws — And How to Help
  • The ‘Catluminati’ Magically Makes Friends With Every Cat He Meets
  • Ice Licks Keep Your Dog Cool and Happy All Summer Long [Recipe]
  • What to Do if Your Dog Is Stung by a Bee
  • What You Need to Know to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs
  • Two-Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream Is an Easy Summer Treat for Your Dog [Recipe]
  • 4 Blended Summer Slushies to Share With Your Dog [Recipe]
  • Peggy the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Molly the Magpie Make the Cutest, Unlikely BFFs
  • Esther the Wonder Pig and Her Dog Brother Phil Are Besties for Life
Advertisement
Advertisement

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy

Need Help?

  • Help Center
  • Join the Team
Your privacy choices
© 2023 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.
"Mmmm... cookies!"

While slightly less delicious than physical cookies, digital cookies help us enhance and personalize your ads and experience, analyze website traffic, and more.