The Essential Guide to Dog Breeds

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Weimaraner Dog Breed Facts & Information


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Weimaraner stands outside in grass and leaves with mouth open
Callipso via iStock

The Weimaraner is an athletic dog breed first bred as hunting companions for nobles in Weimar, Germany.

These bold dogs were first bred in the 19th century and originally went by the name of Weimar Pointers. Today’s Weimaraners have the same high energy level, friendly temperament, and sleek appearance as their ancestors.

Thanks to their combination of athleticism and intelligence, the Weimaraner can be a challenge for some pet parents. But if you want a dog who’ll enjoy a long outdoor adventure and then flop down to keep you company on the sofa, a Weimaraner could be the perfect companion for you.

Read on to learn all about Weimaraners, from their personality and exercise needs to grooming requirements and health.

Breed Characteristics

Key

  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Origin: Germany
  • Size:
  • Weight: 70-90 pounds
  • Activity level:
  • Good with dogs: yes
  • Good with kids: yes
  • Shedding:
  • Shedding: Seasonal
  • Hair type: Short
  • Grooming level:
  • Training level:

Appearance

The Weimaraner is a medium-large dog that can stand anywhere from 25 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 70 to 90 pounds.

These dogs usually reach their full height around the age of 1, according to Nancy Lane, Weimaraner breeder and owner of Lazy Hearts Kennel. But it can take up to 18 months for them to fully mature.

They have an average lifespan of around 10-13 years. 

Weimaraners have a long and straight back, a deep chest, and strong legs made to run and chase. Their fur is always short and gray-colored, which has earned the breed the nickname “the gray ghost.”

Personality

These playful, friendly, and energetic dogs are deeply loyal to their pet parents.

“They are very affectionate and tend to want to sleep in bed with you,” Lane says. Because of this, they thrive as “velcro dogs” and will enjoy every moment you get to spend together.  

As dogs bred to hunt, Weimaraners love to run, play, and enjoy time outside. They’re also highly intelligent dogs with the ability to think for themselves, which can get them into trouble—especially if you leave them alone.

Training

Lane says that Weimaraners are very food-motivated, which makes them generally easy to train with treats. They’re also intelligent and have excellent memories.

“If they do something once and it’s rewarding, they will remember how to do it again,” Lane says. 

However, they might also remember things you’d rather they forget, like where you left some food unattended. So, to keep your Weimaraner behaved and well-mannered, it’s important to start training your puppy as soon as you bring them home. 

Attention and impulse control training involves teaching your puppy commands like “come” and “stay” so they learn to listen to your instructions and stay out of mischief. You can start this on your own when your puppy reaches the age of 8 weeks old. Your puppy’s breeder may also give them some early training before they go home with you.

Health

Like all purebred dogs, Weimaraners are prone to developing certain health conditions, says Dr. Shannon Barrett, DVM, owner of Fetch The Wave. 

According to Dr. Barrett, Weimaraners may be more likely to experience the following health conditions. 

  • Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV): GDV, also called bloat, is a potentially life-threatening condition where a dog’s stomach expands rapidly. A Weimaraner’s deep chest may raise their risk, Dr. Barrett says. 
  • Hip dysplasia: This genetic joint condition causes a dog’s hip joints to become misaligned. According to one long-term study on multiple dog breeds, around 8.5% of Weimaraners involved had hip dysplasia. 
  • Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD): This autoimmune disease affects puppies with rapidly growing bones. It can cause pain or swelling in the legs and tends to affect Weimaraner puppies between 8 weeks and 8 months of age. 

“As Weimaraners age, arthritis is a concern, especially in the hips and elbows,” Dr. Barrett says. You can support your dog’s frame in old age with plenty of regular, gentle exercise and joint supplements. 

Diet

Weimaraners have different nutrition requirements for each stage of their life.

  • Puppies should eat a dedicated puppy food with a low-fat content. When they reach 10 months, they can switch to an adult diet. 
  • Adult Weimaraners can eat either wet or dry food designed for large breeds.
  • Senior dogs can generally eat a food formulated for senior dogs, though some may do better with a sensitive stomach formula. 

Important: It’s a good idea to feed Weimaraners two smaller meals each day, instead of one large meal, to prevent bloat. Your vet can offer more guidance on how much to feed your dog each day.

Grooming Needs

According to Lane, Weimaraners have very few grooming needs. They have very short coats, so there’s no need to break out a brush. They only need a bath every 2-3 months or as needed, depending on how much they like to play in the mud. 

Like all dogs, Weimaraners do need regular nail trims and tooth brushing. It’s also important to clean their adorable floppy ears to prevent wax buildup. But Lane says wiping their ears with a cloth occasionally should do the trick. 

Ideal Home & Environment

Weimaraners are very energetic dogs that need lots of exercise to be happy, Dr. Barrett says.

According to Lane, Weimaraners will do best with active pet parents who enjoys outdoor activities like running, hiking, or biking. Since they thrive as “shadow dogs,” the more activities you can do together, the better! On days when you don’t have time to get outdoors, a large, fenced-in yard can give your Weimaraner room to run. 

Weimaraners can also be good family dogs when they have proper training, and Lane says they can get along with cats if they’re raised together. As hunting dogs, they do have a high prey drive, so some Weimaraners may chase cats.

Getting A Weimaraner 

If you’re interested in adding a Weimaraner to your family, try to find a breeder affiliated with the Weimaraner Club of America, a local Weimaraner club, or an all-breed kennel club. 

Puppy mills and scams are common. So, before purchasing a puppy from a breeder, you may want to ask some of the following questions:

  • Do the puppies come with a health guarantee? 
  • How much experience does the breeder have with Weimaraners? 
  • Do both of the puppy’s parents have a pedigree, and did they get health evaluations? 
  • Can you meet the puppy’s mother and father? 

Additionally, if you’d prefer to adopt a Weimaraner instead of buying one from a breeder, groups like the Weimaraner Foundation Fund could help you find a dog who needs a home. You can also check local rescues and shelters for a Weimaraner.

Is A Weimaraner Right For Me?

Of course, Weimaraners aren’t for everyone. If you don’t have the time or energy to spend exercising your dog for long hours every day, another breed with lower exercise needs may be a better fit.

Since Weimaraners attach so closely to their humans, they can be prone to separation anxiety and don’t do well in a crate or home alone for long periods of time.

Additionally, due to their hunting history, Lane cautions against a Weimaraner living with small animals other than cats, like rabbits and chickens. 

If you’re not sure a Weimaraner is right for you, you might consider one of these similar breeds:

  • German Shorthaired Pointers: The German Shorthaired Pointer is another German hunting breed with lots of brain power and high energy levels. Lane says they have a similar temperament to Weimaraners.
  • Vizsla: Like the Weimaraner, Vizslas have a high energy drive and are incredibly devoted to their people. However, they’re a bit smaller than the Weimaraner and tend to have a gold or rust-colored coat. 

Need help naming a Weimaraner pup? One of these ten most popular Weimaraner names could give you inspiration. 

  1. Bella
  2. Luna
  3. Blu
  4. Lily
  5. Duke
  6. Lucy
  7. Gunnar
  8. Cooper
  9. Willow
  10. Henry

Famous Weimaraners

Weimaraners have existed for over a century. So, you may have heard of one of these famous pups. 

  • Willian Wegman’s Weimaraners: American artist William Wegman is famous for creating artwork and videos of Weimaraners in costumes. You may have seen some of his pups on TV shows like Saturday Night Live or Sesame Street. 
  • The President’s Weimaraner: President Dwight D. Eisenhower had a Weimaraner named Heidi. Heidi is probably best known for being the only dog to be banned from the White House, which happened after she had an accident on an expensive rug. After that, she spent the rest of her days on the Eisenhower family farm in Pennsylvania. 

Weimaraners are a devoted and high-energy breed that need frequent exercise and a lot of love. But if you dream of a devoted workout partner and snuggle buddy, a Weimaraner could become your newest best friend. 

References

Brooke Helton

Brooke Helton

Brooke Helton is a freelance writer covering pets, health & wellness, lifestyle, and more. Beyond the Rover blog, you can find her work in media outlets like Insider and Forbes. When she’s not happily blogging about pets, you can find Brooke lurking on LinkedIn or spoiling her little sister — a 14-year-old ginger kitty.