|
Is a Weimaraner Right for You?
A Versatile Breed
Weimaraners are one of several
breeds described as "versatile Continental hunting dogs." This description
refers to the Weimaraner's diverse abilities: Originally bred in the
Weimar Republic of 19th century Germany, Weimaraners have been developed
to find and point game, track wounded game, and retrieve both birds
or furred quarry. They usually have a strong prey drive and may not
be good with cats or other small animals. Weimaraners typically have
a stronger protective instinct than other hunting breeds. They are often
natural guardians or watch dogs. The versatile Weimaraner,
nicknamed the "Grey Ghost" for its unique color, is also a dedicated
companion dog. The Weimaraner is sometimes described as hunting more
for the love of its master, rather than for the sake of hunting itself.
From the early years of the breed to the present, Weimaraners have lived
with their people as dedicated companions and hunting dogs. They are
not kennel dogs and will suffer if shut away from their people.
An Aristocrat and a Clown The Weimaraner personality
is a complex mix of the aloof aristocrat and a silly clown. To strangers,
Weimaraners may appear aloof and self-assured. With their own people,
however, Weimaraners reveal a more complex personality. They are fun-loving,
demanding, clever, devoted, cuddly, pushy, responsive, obedient, stubborn,
and loving. Their expressive faces, groans, and sighs seem to convey
a language all their own. Dog trainer Matthew Margolis
writes, "Weimaraners embody all of the negative characteristics of the
hunting breeds. They are stubborn and strong-willed and try to get away
with everything possible." The Weimaraner's "pushy" personality requires
that their owner be a firm, fair leader. Without clear leadership, a
Weimaraner will take over a household. Virginia Alexander and Jackie
Isabel, long-time Weimaraner fanciers and breeders, note that "Weimaraners
are a breed for those who enjoy a dog that is intensely devoted and
responsive to attention--they demand attention, and will follow owners
from room to room, usually lying down with body contact when owners
sit down." Weimaraners are not a breed that can be ignored for long
periods of time! A Tired Weim is a Good Weim; Weimaraners were developed
as pointing dogs to search independently for game. This trait is revealed
in their ability to hunt and run during a full day of hunting for as
long as six hours. As Chris Walkowicz notes in The Perfect Match,
"This kind of energy will explode if the dog is expected to be content
with a stroll around the block and a once-a-day pat on the head." Weimaraners
need abundant physical activity plus mental challenges to be content.
Hunting, running, bicycling, hiking, swimming, retrieving, and romping
through safe fields are all great ways for Weimaraners to exercise.
Obedience training and tracking are good problem solving exercises for
the ever-active Weimaraner mind. As Margolis notes, "If their pent-up
energy is not released in some positive form, they are capable of destroying
entire apartments." What Can I Do With
a Weimaraner? The only thing you can't
do with a Weimaraner is nothing. Weimaraners have excelled in
a number of activities. They love to learn new skills and are always
ready for a new challenge. Hunting Tracking Competitive Obedience Agility There are many more activities
that would be enjoyed by a Weimaraner. If it's hard physical work and
takes brains, too, a Weimaraner will probably love it. The Physical Details
The Weimaraner is a large,
short-coated dog with a lightly carried docked tail. The coat of the
Weimaraner ranges from light silver grey to taupe to dark grey. Blue
coats are a disqualification. Weimaraners may have very little hair
on their belly and may be susceptible to scratches from briars and prickers.
The eyes are usually light amber in color, but may also be blue. Females
are usually between 23 and 25 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh
between 55 and 70 pounds. Males are larger at 25 to 27 inches at the
shoulder and 65 to 85 pounds. Grooming requirements for the breed include
regular brushing (every few days for a few minutes at a time) to remove
dead hair, regular cleaning of the long ears (every week or two), regular
trimming of toe nails, and dental care. Although the Weimaraner has
a very short coat, it does shed; however, the shedding will be much
less visible than with longer coated breeds. Those who are allergic
to dogs should spend time around Weimaraners before assuming that their
coat will not cause a problem. Do You Still Think
a Weimaraner is Right for You? Ask yourself these
questions before you get a Weimaraner. This is a breed you will
either love or hate. Spend as much time around Weimaraners as you can
before you decide if this is the breed for you. Getting in touch with
your local Weimaraner club can help you find
a Weimaraner and Weimaraner owners to meet, and can provide you with
more information about the breed and local breeders.
Alexander, Virginia
& Isabel, Jackie. Weimaraner Ways. Sunstar Press: Germantown,
MD, 1993 Segal, Mordecai &
Margolis, Matthew. Good Dog, Bad Dog. Henry Holt & Co.: New York,
1991 Tortora, Daniel F.
The Right Dog For You. Simon & Schuster: New York, 1980
Walkowicz, Chris.
The Perfect Match. Macmillan: New York, 1996
|